OK, I know there are a lot of problems with this image. The background isn't good. And I was not in a great position - shooting between two trees and obviously with a branch, that I didn't see in the darkened woods, blurring the owl's tail. But now I know where they are hanging out.
This image was made with my 30D and 300mm f/2.8L IS w/ 2x TC. I was on a tripod and was using a 580 EX II flash with Better Beamer.
At ISO 800 and f/5.6, the shutter speed was 1/50 sec. EV = 0 and FEC = -1.
Here's the issue. I find these guys right around sundown and in a heavily wooded area. So I am dealing with very low light. And I am using a 2x TC on my 300. I focused right between the owls eyes. The problem I am trying to understand is why the image does not look as sharp as I think it should. I will be going back again in hopes of making better images. What should I do differently? Beside making sure there is no branch between me and the bird. I really did not even notice it in the darkened woods.
I once photographed great horned owl on a cloudy day in a back-lit situation. My shots were oof. I supposed it was because there wasn't enough contrast for the lens and camera to detact and set the focus. I tried manually focused the lens and the results were even worse...of course under such dim lighting condition :o Yours is sharper than mine.
The oof leaves/branches in the foreground are the biggest problem here, IMO.
As for the background, all the great horned owls I've come across live in a habitat like that. Unless you want to use post-process to help improve the background, otherwise, personally I'm totally fine with the background as is. Having said that, I would clone-stamp out some of the distracting elements that "touch" the owl.
Pretty darn good for low light. Just the leaves are in the way of the feet. Would it look good as a vertical crop. Very good. I hope you have more opportunities to photograph this bird and show us!
Ed ,
I like the composition, the background does not bother me, its called habitat...:):D Agree with Mr. Forns in reference to long lens shooting...practice makes better...:cool:
Practice makes better, but this is pretty awesome as it is. I like the lightening that Desmond did - maybe something in between the original and his... but Ed, I don't think you have anything to apologize for!!!
You're doing great!
Amy D.
Last edited by Amy DeStefanis; 09-30-2008 at 06:21 PM.
Reason: clarification
Hi Ed: I have photographed many GHO, and usually located high amongst a lot of branches in dim light. I think you got a marvelous photograph. Sure there were some leaves between you and the branch, to be expexted. I like your original capture, and if you get lucky a better opportunity will come along some time in the future. As you know, the harder you work, the luckier you get. I like it when they are about 6 weeks old, big and less wary. Thanks for sharing . . . Uncle Gus :D
Gho
