Hi, this is my first post to the forum. I have just started photographing birds after birdwatching for several years. After lurking the boards here, I have learned a lot and am ready to post.
This is a Ferruginous Hawk photographed in the Cuyama Valley of CA.
This crop represents about 60% of the original image.
50D with 100-400 IS handheld shot at 400mm, F5.6, 1/3200, ISO 400. No flash.
Post Processing in PS Elements: Cloned out some lines in the top left, cloned and healed some bolts in the crossbeam, shadow and highlight adjustment on the bird, selective lightening to the head, and sharpening after resizing.
I really like the wingspread here, how it shows off the wonderful chestnut color in the underwing coverts. I think the eye contact makes the picture work. My concerns are that the eye may still be too dark and that the feather detail may still look soft (or after resizing, noisy). I know that the crop is not traditional, but I feel that it is the best.
After several tries, I believe I have resized this image correctly. However, I am concerned as the quality has plunged dramatically after resizing.
Welcome Noah, great bird for a first post. I love the plumage detail that shows well in this pose. I think that this is an image that needed significant +EC at capture to avoid under-exposing the main subject. I have tried a version just using levels to push the sky to white and then open the midtones. This reveals more noise in the dark areas than would have been the case if given more exposure at capture.
Hi Noah...welcome to BPN!! I agree with Tony. Subjects with a very light BG such as yours requires positive EC (often as much as +2 EC) to expose properly. This will prevent you from having to up the exposure during post processing...something that often leads to unwanted noise - such as what we see on your image (check out the wing). Your choice of crop is good, and I too like the wingspread...good timing on your part!
Not the best perch...BUT...the "Voltage" stamp is very cool:cool:.
VOLTAGE
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