This was taken from the balcony of our townhouse around noon. I was watching a few birds at my feeders, when this beauty flew in. Camera was on my tripod and the hawk looked right at me, so I didn't want to move and spook it. With limited options and a pretty ugly background, I decided to erase the background. Not sure I did a very good job of it; haven't had a chance to read the latest edition of Digital Basics and could probably make good use of the APTATS when it is available. Besides the white BG, I'm bothered by the light streak across the back. Would a polarizer have helped this?
I think this works, but I am interested in what others think and what suggestions you might have. I get few opportunities to photograph raptors, so I didn't want to pass up this chance.
Canon 7D, 400 mm f/5.6 lens, on gitzo tripod.
ISO 400, 1/500, f/5.6.
Av multi-segment metering.
The comments and criticisms I receive from members of this forum are always very valuable to me. Thank you for loking.
Last edited by Kent Wilson; 11-14-2009 at 09:46 AM.
I think you nailed it, I am viewing the image on a 21" ColowEdge display (Richard talked me into it) and it looks spot on. The brown on the back might be a tad dark, maybe not (too much sat?). Let's see what others say, this is one sweet photograph. Great Composition, HA and sharp eye.
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 11-14-2009 at 10:01 AM.
This is a terrific image.
The only thing I noticed that might need some attention is a series of red spots that circle the bird about 1/4 inch away. They begin near the beak, follow the edge of the bird, up and around the head, and seem to stop at the right shoulder.
Well done
Cheers
Gail
Hi kent - like this a lot - well done.
Looks a tad soft on my screen - I would selectively add a little sharpening to the eye, and also add a touch of sharpening to the rest of the bird. Might also work on the beak just a tad with selective colour and just add a touch of black.
Looking forward to seeing more :)
Hi Kent Excellent PS work !! One way to have a smooth bg
Agree with comments ..... not sure I would try a polarizer since you would be losing around two stops of light then any other action might be lost !!! As presented might add a tiny bit of black in selective color !!!
Nice image. It needs to be staightened out IMO. Even though I'm sure the orientation was as captures, compositional considerations make the image appear tilted. PS;filter/distort/lens correction/Edge:edge extention (background color), clone stamp tool. I think the DOF was a bit narrow, and detail on back feathers suffered. The closer you are to a bird the greater a DOF is needed. Polarizers IMHO have very limited use in avian photography. Great for landscape photography though. regards~Bill
Last edited by WIlliam Maroldo; 11-14-2009 at 07:43 PM.
Hi Kent,
A very fine capture you got there. I like the head turn and intense look. Agree with the techs. and fine advise given...I like this very much Kent, good show...:cool:
Very good job on removing the background, the area around the bird is very clean. The underside the perch look a bit funny, but I don't know what the original look like so it may be crooked like that. Love the pose, the nice big eye with looking back HA. The repost with rotation make this image even better.
Intensity - A hungry Cooper's Hawk
