Barn Owl (c)

**Raymond Barlow** · 10-25-2009, 12:29 PM

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**Randy Stout** · 10-25-2009, 12:42 PM

Ray:

Soft light, nice bird, well exposed, sharp. Like the raindrops.

The stump on the left has so much detail, that it does tend to draw me away from the bird.

I know you don't favor any major changes, but I might consider simplifying the image by removing at least some of the projecting fragments, tone down the lighter areas. It is the contrast of the dark against the lighter background that pulls my eye.

Just a thought. I also might dodge in the breast a bit.

Thanks for sharing.

Randy

Axel Hildebrandt · 10-25-2009, 01:22 PM

I like the fall-colored BG and sharpness. I would prefer to see both eyes and if the bird would not look out of the frame. I might tone down the highlights some more.

**Manos Papadomanolakis** · 10-25-2009, 02:02 PM

the raindrops makes the image!!!
beautiful pose,colors,details,agree with Axel for the bird`s looking!

Gal Shon · 10-25-2009, 03:18 PM

The BG and rain makes it for me on this one.
I wish for a better HA, or mabye opening the frame towards the look.

**Raymond Barlow** · 10-25-2009, 04:58 PM

I agree, the right side of the face does look hot., sorry, I will give it another try later.

As for the head angle, I like it as is, I appreciate your suggestions, but if we always follow the "rules" photography becomes boring., imo.

**paul leverington** · 10-25-2009, 06:48 PM

Hi Ray--Just spent all day yesterday and all day today, finding, hauling through the woods, and bringing back stumps for various comp ideas I have with various subjects. I hiked at least 30 miles i think! Yes sir that's what I do for fun on the weekends--I go stumpin! It's worth the time to find the best prop possible for a shot I feel. The stump here is good--but not great. Mostly the back board cause it looks like a slab which doesn't match the theme of other areas, and also leaves the frame feeling truncated, and then the sharp stuff on the left is not very well defined and rather blackish. In looking at those medium- dark brown feathers on the bird I think you could gain some power from a stump that had similar brown tones. Also picture the wood behind him as having some character--perhaps a continuation of the sharpened stick look(which i think looks great as a theme by the way). An idea for consideration is to use two, three, or more stumps together to get the balance, color, shape, line, and texture you want.
The BG rocks with me as does the bird, and the light on the bird, and even the head angle is not so bad--but perhaps more space -(as is usually the way)- on that side would be best, but the setup doesn't quite work for that here.

If you want I could send you some choice Ohio born and bred stumps in the mail. Bugs extra. Freight --COD----he-he.

Bottom line is the only "Rule" is the one that best conveys what you and your subconscious want to convey to others and yourself, and what you need to do to accomplish that. I have seen more that a few images where the subject looking out of the frame on the short side was rock solid powerful because it looked so out of place-but that was the point.

Paul

Oh--I love the rain but perhaps you should have used a speed slightly faster to shorten the streaks a little. I kind of feel when they start looking like spears, they stop looking like rain. Might be the reason I never cared for star trail shots too.

**Stephen Stephen** · 10-25-2009, 08:51 PM

Ray I really like this image. The OOF BG and the wood go together well in colouring a does the owl's wing. The head angle is fine for me as the bird interest seems to have been captured by something off frame. Did you get any with both eyes visible as well?

**Raymond Barlow** · 10-25-2009, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by paul leverington

Hi Ray--Just spent all day yesterday and all day today, finding, hauling through the woods, and bringing back stumps for various comp ideas I have with various subjects. I hiked at least 30 miles i think! Yes sir that's what I do for fun on the weekends--I go stumpin! It's worth the time to find the best prop possible for a shot I feel. The stump here is good--but not great. Mostly the back board cause it looks like a slab which doesn't match the theme of other areas, and also leaves the frame feeling truncated, and then the sharp stuff on the left is not very well defined and rather blackish. In looking at those medium- dark brown feathers on the bird I think you could gain some power from a stump that had similar brown tones. Also picture the wood behind him as having some character--perhaps a continuation of the sharpened stick look(which i think looks great as a theme by the way). An idea for consideration is to use two, three, or more stumps together to get the balance, color, shape, line, and texture you want.
The BG rocks with me as does the bird, and the light on the bird, and even the head angle is not so bad--but perhaps more space -(as is usually the way)- on that side would be best, but the setup doesn't quite work for that here.

If you want I could send you some choice Ohio born and bred stumps in the mail. Bugs extra. Freight --COD----he-he.

Bottom line is the only "Rule" is the one that best conveys what you and your subconscious want to convey to others and yourself, and what you need to do to accomplish that. I have seen more that a few images where the subject looking out of the frame on the short side was rock solid powerful because it looked so out of place-but that was the point.

Paul

Oh--I love the rain but perhaps you should have used a speed slightly faster to shorten the streaks a little. I kind of feel when they start looking like spears, they stop looking like rain. Might be the reason I never cared for star trail shots too.

thanks so much Paul for your in depth critique, you have a wyw for art, and I will keep your thoughts in mind for my next workshop., I do have several frames of this set up, but we were on the clock, and I had 5 other birds anxiously awaiting their turn to perform.

It sure would be interesting to have you join us for one of these workshops!

and I hope those stumps arrive soon, another workshop here is in the works!

**Raymond Barlow** · 10-25-2009, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Stephen Stephen

Ray I really like this image. The OOF BG and the wood go together well in colouring a does the owl's wing. The head angle is fine for me as the bird interest seems to have been captured by something off frame. Did you get any with both eyes visible as well?

Thanks Stephen., yes, I have several frames with better looks, but for some reason this image really caught my eye. This bird was particularly dis-interested in photographers. We did have a small bird calls kit there, and I am sure we failed to try it at this point, but it worked great for the barred owl.

**Danny Laredo** · 10-25-2009, 10:01 PM

Sweet image Raymond. Love the pose,BG, compo and detail. Only wish it was mine :)

**Harshad Barve** · 10-25-2009, 10:30 PM

fine shot , killer BG and rain drops
TFS

**subramanya_ck** · 10-25-2009, 10:46 PM

Perfect Settings for this beauty. Do you have anoter shot of the bird looking at you ? That will be even terrific in my opinion..

**Stu Bowie** · 10-26-2009, 12:05 AM

I like the setting, and the exposure on the owl, and would consider taking a bit off the left, and adding to the right.

**Raymond Barlow** · 10-27-2009, 11:29 AM

thanks again for the cool comments!

Originally Posted by subramanya_ck

Perfect Settings for this beauty. Do you have anoter shot of the bird looking at you ? That will be even terrific in my opinion..

I think I do Subramanya, I will take a look, and post it in here if I find it..

thanks!

**Raymond Barlow** · 10-27-2009, 11:39 AM

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