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Thread: Elf Owls

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    Default Elf Owls

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    This was the first time I'd seen this species (the smallest Owl in the world, BTW), and was very happy with the results as I'd not done any shooting with flash as primary light. This being said (and I've not seen many nocturnal posts here), I'm looking forward to hearing what I could have done different as far as settings/post work.

    I also recommend anyone in the area stop by the Battiste's B&B, as these birds have nested in their backyard for years, and Tony being a photographer himself is very accomodating...but do slip something in the sugar fund jar:D

    D300, AF-S 500mm f/4 (non-VR)
    SB900 + BB
    Gitzo+Wimberly

    1/60th
    f/5.6
    ISO 250
    -1/3 EC

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    This picture look great to me. First of all this Owl species not only the smallest but ione of the greatest looking one. I really like the food offering interaction. The perch looks appropriate for the species.
    As far as full flash usage goes, I know very little about it, except people shooting indoors.

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    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
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    I like the interaction you captured, Ed. It might be nice to see more of the left owl's face - but then the image might become one of 2 owls looking at the camera. :) I can't help you with the technical aspects of the flash, but I like the fact that there is detail in the background instead of it being completely black.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Ed:

    Fun interaction. I might have considered pushing up the ISO higher to give you some more aperture/shutter speed flexibility. The extra DOF would have helped a lot on the left bird.

    From a flash standpoint, I might lower the overall exposure by 1/4( to reduce the flashed look just a bit) or so, and consider burning in the trunk just a bit as well, to minimize it a bit, and play up the birds.

    Hope to see more.

    Cheers

    Randy

  5. #5
    Ákos Lumnitzer
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    Hey Ed
    I really like this image. Why? They are owls and I personally have enormous affection for owls and birds of the night generally, which I pursue at any given opportunity; though with very limited success. I love the food offering and my guess it's most likely a male presenting to his mate? IAC it's wonderful. What I'd be tempted to do is talk to the property owner and erect a towerhide (or semi-permanent platform) and observe them from there, as well as you can get some incredible images that way from the eye level. I sure hope you will be able to share more of these little guys here soon. In the meantime I will conduct my own research into this species.

    As for night photography, I always use manual mode with the flash providing the light (obviously :D ). I change flash settings depending on subject tonality and reviewing the histogram. Feel free to ask any help if you feel the need. :) Cheers from Oz. . . . . . . .

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    Ed this is really a nice moment I wish for more DOF but understand you have to work with the light you have not the light you want. Well done

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    Thanks, all. What I learned most this particular evening, and some of you mentioned this, is about DOF. F/8 would probably have been perfect, and that's generally where I shoot. Being completely dark outside, this wouldn't have affected shutter speed, as 1/60th is what was locked in with the flash.

    To Akos.... these are the smallest owls in the world, 5 3/4 inches!!! Definitely the highlight of my "owling" carreer:D

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