Snowy Owl

[Matthew Studebaker]

Québec, Canada | January | Canon 1D4 | Canon 600mm f4 IS |ISO 400 1/2000 f6.3 Mice Krispies

I like this shot. I have seen others like it. I'm wondering if it is starting to become a "tired image" in the words of Dick B? It sure was awesome helping other photographers get close to these magnificent raptors this winter.

[Jim Fenton]

Matthew...

Exposure looks good, sharpness is right on, but the crop bugs me.

My guess is that you couldn't do much more with the image as the bird was large in the frame. Perhaps if the bird weren't looking out of the frame with it's head being so far to the edge already?

[Markus Jais]

For me the crop works fine. Great image. I like the tight composition.
I only wish one could see the pupil in the bird's right eye.

Markus

[Dave Leroy]

Nice and sharp and it seems to have lots of dof.
For me the photo has some really strong points with the owl, but the crop is awkward. I am not sure what to suggest for an alternate.
Dave

[Aidan Briggs]

I agree that this shot is no longer unique...there are lots of in flight Snowy owl images floating around nowadays. It is still a great image, and the perfect exposure and yellow eyes really add to it, just doesn't have the impact it might have if it was taken a couple years ago.

I do really like this image.

[Bert De Tilly]

WOW !great image i love the eyes contact.

[Deborah Hanson]

There may be a lot of in-flight snowy photos around but I never seem to see enough of them. Beautiful bird and a thrill to capture on 'film'.
I know we aren't supposed to say 'great photo'. But this is a really great capture. I've had the snowys fly right at me but it is really hard to catch.

Deb

[Jory Griesman]

Notwithstanding any other comments regarding this image in particular, I don't understand the concept of "this shot is no longer unique...there are lots of in flight Snowy owl images floating around nowadays". I don't recall similar comments regarding the many eagle flight shots or shots of landing great blue herons seen in this forum, all of which have individual merit. Unless one of us gets a shot of a pterydactyl or dodo bird, a lot of the images in the forum will be repetitive.:)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Sharpness, talons and fanned tail look very good. I wish we could see the right eye better. Did you bait the owl?

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Matthew, what I liked most about this one is the softness in the feathers that you have captured. Incredible control of whites. More room on top and left will create more balance...but that would be the beaten path I guess. Here you are trying to create something different, I am assuming.

[Marina Scarr]

What a stunning capture. Love how delicate the tail feathers look when they are fanned as they are here. The whiskers are nice and sharp. The talons looks so harmless when they are covered with fur. Was this particular owl baited?

Thanks for sharing this gem. I hope to see one some day...and photograph one as well.