Here is another picture I took last month. It is cropped too close, and also the feathers along the top and back of the head are not in focus. I tried keeping a short dof, but how do you know, when shooting, that it is too short? How else could I improve this type of shot?
The eyes are great but, yes, it is cropped too tight. As for DOF, it's a matter of experience but a good way to flatten the learning curve is to use something like this. I use the Palm version so that I always have it with me. You can also make one using their directions. For a photo you've already taken, use the interactive version on the site and try different apertures, distances and focal lengths. HTH
The only thing that bothers me about this is the tight crop on the left (ok, and maybe a little more room on the bottom). It looks to me like the eye is so sharp, you can see the reflection of the surroundings in it. and the feathers and beak look sharp ...and he stands off the background with the shallow dof nicely.... But he does look a little trapped in a tight frame.
Agree with previous Cheryl The first thing that comes to mind is the bird being very tight in frame The most prominent feature is the face and eye so make them prominent The white feathers are a little dark Can go brighter
For the original crop would have left more room up front and not shown so much the back of the bird You did manage a very sharp image
One other thing When lining the image do check the bg for distracting objects There is a green stalk under his beak
Did a little work extending canvas just to show the difference did not crop anything (did also mess the bill) Lighten the feathers and blurred the bg a tad !!! Sure hope you get man more raptors !!!!
I love the lighter feathers!
I went back to the original and saw the reason why I cropped it so tight. I need to learn how to add canvas.
I never did see that stalk under her beak until you mentioned it. lol
did you use Gasussian to blur the bg?
I would love to get more raptors! Missed yesterday's chance, perhaps I will drive back again to this Audubon Rehab Center near Orlando when visiting FL next month. At least at a center they are within my lens' reach! :D
I have downloaded the DOF calculator, and will practice with that. Plus will try to bracket more shots until I get the hang of this.
Cheryl when you visit Orlando we have members in the area Would send PM to Robert Amoruso Good person !!!!
Adding canvas is not difficult go to image>canvas size then type in the new canvas size It will give you a new canvas in white Just clone into the area then crop to taste
The calculator is a good idea I actually bough one to check it out Basically remember the dof at close distance is minimal with long lenses Wide lenses have much better dof You best bet for learning/remembering is trying Look fro a fence or set up a bunch of bottles (preferably not after drinking them:D) place at an angle and focus on the middle Then shoot wide open stopping one and so on You will see the difference and might get you to gage better next time !!!
Bald Eagle
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