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Thread: Red and Gray Morph Screech Owl

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    Default Red and Gray Morph Screech Owl

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    Owls near one another along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.

    Nikon Z9; 800 5.6

    Red Morph: 1/1250, f 5.6, ISO 3600
    Gray Morph: 1/1250, f 5.6, ISO 2500

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Paul:

    For some reason their stares and poses make me think of something out of Star Wars. Pretty dramatic poses, the centered composition works well with them.

    The top image has a modest amount of noise in some areas, and both appear a bit over sharpened. Owl feathers that I have seen generally seem to have a softer texture, not quite as crisp as here.

    I like the shadow treatment better in the second image.

    Since I have a Z9 as well, just curious what software you are using for your post processing?

    Cheers

    Randy
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    Hi Randy,

    Thanks for the comments.

    My post processing was editing in RAW in Capture 1 22, brushing the bird a little as well to adjust for exposure, warmth, etc; then in PS using Topaz DeNoise, then a slight adjustment on color contrast on the bird, and a little detail extraction. I did also use Topaz Sharpener but actually didn't notice too much sharpening; in the RAW files the feather texture is there too, but perhaps the post processing enhanced it a bit much.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Paul ... for sure nice subjects and i do like the direct stare with the owls staying in their environment .

    Sorry to say , IMHO , the processing does look a bit off .
    The top image looks almost like a sepia toning with a washed out middle part of the frame .
    I do see some artifacts or noise in both images , sharpening does look overdone to me .
    That is all said as my personal taste ... others might see it different .

    TFS Andreas

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    Appreciate the replies; I do have a lot of files from the area, here's a couple processed, with no use of the sharpner.

    Name:  z red morph IV.jpg
Views: 64
Size:  454.6 KBName:  z gray morph screech II.jpg
Views: 65
Size:  470.7 KB

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Both files looking better ... at least to me in terms of sharpening .
    So what is the benefit of Topaz Sharpening ???

    Cheers Andreas

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Sorry Paul but the OP look hammered in PP, the RP are better, but less than idea especially from the Z9, it does produce some super clean files. I would look at getting a better WB first of all and the use PS for sharpening once cropped and ready to post.

    TFS
    Steve
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