5,000th post. Real or fake?

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Haha, pinched the idea from The Maestro. :)

Anyway, wonder if you can pick what I did, that is; if I did. Either way, raptors are my favorite birds. This is an Australian Kestrel, our smallest species at just over 12". Photographed in July 08 with my trusty old 30D (that needs a service I think), 300/4L and 1.4TC. ISO800, f/5.6, 1/3200th

It's a pleasure to be a lifetime member of this wonderful community of photographers. :)

[jfranciskay]

Hmmmm, replaced background? Looks a little too in focus as I can see cloud detail in the lower right. Also, the light seems like the sun should be right behind the bird. Nice shot in any case!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thanks for looking Jim. Sun was to the right. Up high, unfortunately it was around midday in the middle of our southern winter. No replacing of sky. :)

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Akos, First congratulations on 5000 posts. Second, pretty nice image. Good detail, nice head turn on a pleasing background. One thing I thought I notice was the wing tips appeared similar. I produced a selection of the top wing tips a placed them on a separate layer. I then move them down and rotate to match the lower wing. Overlaid them and they match perfectly. This could have occurring naturally but I guessing you fixed the one of the wing tips. If this is correct you did a really good job of it. I am probably wrong (my teenage daughter would agree) and this is real. Thanks for sharing.

[denise ippolito]

Congratulations on your milestone post. Beautiful details and eye contact. I like the pale blue sky also. I wonder if I see something in the ULC BG that would suggest maybe a clipped wing repair-if so you've done a great job because I'm really reaching for that.:)

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I will post the original in time. In case there is any difference. :) Keep going! I appreciate your time!

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Hola amigo!

What a way to celebrate! Lovely bird and pose. Under wing details are superb. I guess you used fill flash here?

I don't see much PS work in this one but instead I would recommend to saturate the sky a tad more.

Congrats on the milestone. ;)

[Ilija Dukovski]

Congrats, Akos! No idea what you did. Whatever it is you did it quite well.
Congrats again!

[Roy Priest]

Did you fix up some tail feathers that were maybe broken?

[Dave Leroy]

Very nice photo Akos. I'll go out on a limb and suggest something was done to the head. Dave

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Congratulations on the milestone! I like the underwing exposure and eye contact. My best guess is that you might have done something with the head.

[Alan Murphy]

Akos, a fantastic image. You replaced the lower wing tip with the top ones and also lighten them.

[Mark Young]

Hi Akos, First congratulations on 5000 posts. Second, pretty nice image. Good detail, nice head turn on a pleasing background. One thing I thought I notice was the wing tips appeared similar. I produced a selection of the top wing tips a placed them on a separate layer. I then move them down and rotate to match the lower wing. Overlaid them and they match perfectly. This could have occurring naturally but I guessing you fixed the one of the wing tips. If this is correct you did a really good job of it. I am probably wrong (my teenage daughter would agree) and this is real. Thanks for sharing.

I was thinking the same thing. The primary feathers on both wings appear identical in shape.

[Fabs Forns]

The lower wing pattern is the same as the upper, just made a little lighter.

Congrats on your milestone, my dear buddy, thanks for all your contributions and big heart :)

[Fabs Forns]

How about posting at the same time with the same idea!!!

[Bruce Enns]

Akos, big congrats on 5000! Wow! Great image! You replaced the birds left wing (the near one) which was in a completely down position and rebuilt the bird's body and used the lower wing to rebuild the upper wing in the up position.

Bruce

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Bro, congrats on your milestone. I like the angle and eye contact, with good exposure and detail on the underwings. I dont think you have "retouched" this at all.

[Kiran Poonacha]

congrats on the milestone bhai.. great image , good expo,nice pose and details...

[Doug Brown]

Congrats on a super 5,000th image, and thanks for all of your thoughtful contributions to the BPN community. Another vote for a duplicated wing tip.

[arash_hazeghi]

Congrats Akos, I also think the wing tip has been repaired :D

[Harshad Barve]

One fine image Akosbhai , congrats on milestone , have you replaced head to get better HA;):D:D:D

[Dave Barnes]

Congrats on the 5K.
Good PP, my vote goes with the wing replacement surgery.

[Phil Liew]

Another one with a milestone post and 5k at that! Congratulations. Whatever you did it looks good to me but I feel the underwing sections appear a touch blown. Perhaps it is my laptop.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Akos....big congrats on 5K. loved the details on this one. Is this a hybrid of a flashed image and an unflashed one? I agree with what others are saying about the wing tips.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thanks everyone for the comments and guesses. The first correct one goes to Alan. :) Well picked mate. here is the RAW convesion without any PP. Mind you, the master file was made in July 2008 and I just thought to post it as the image did appeal to me. Hence why I made the effort with digital surgery. Normally these would end up in the DCB (Digital Compost Bin). :) All improvements were made as a result of participating in this wonderful community called BPN!!!! I think from further responses I could improve the lightness of the added wing.

Thanks again!

[Lorant Voros]

Akos,

Congratulations for the milestone. Your contribution to this forum is a great asset. You are a true inspiration. Well done on this little quiz.

[Marina Scarr]

My hat comes off to you for all of your contributions to BPN, Mate! It's nice to see your dedication to birds and animals, as well as photography.

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Bro, excellent pp work.

[James Salywoda]

Well done on PS work Akos an excellent saved shot and congrats on 5000..

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

And thanks Lóránt, Marina and Jim. Appreciate your time and support! :)