Just before sunset, this adult GHO brought in a kill (looks like a heron) for its two newly-fledged owlets. The adult kept calling them and moving in an attempt to direct their attention to their supper without success. They are still novices in the flying department after they fledge, so the adults continue to feed them. (It appears the adult dined while she was waiting on her young.)
I would have liked the picture to have been sharper. I was so excited when I saw this scene that I could actually have been shaking.
Thank you in advance for any C & C.
Marina
Canon 1D3, Canon 400 DO & 1.4 TC @ 560MM
F5.6, 1/640sec, ISO 500, manual mode
Gitzo tripod, Mongoose head
Last edited by Marina Scarr; 09-29-2010 at 09:52 AM.
This is an excellent look at one of nature's most compelling dramas. So I can understand how you'd be excited about the opportunity.
I know from my experience that when presented with such an unusual opportunity, I can be so concerned with capturing the moment that I neglect the technical side of things. I have to fight back against that tendency. ;)
As I view the image, my sense is that the owl and perch are somewhat over-saturated and contrasty. Although the owl's left eye is darker due to its position vis-a-vis the sun, I would consider doing some selective lightening to make it more prominent.
It would be good of you, Marina, to post the shooting data including SS. Aperture, ISO, etc. It will assist in providing more relevant commentary.
Overall, I really like the photograph and the dramatic moment it depicts. :)
Marina, I love the light in this - side-lighting has never bothered me. You captured a wonderful moment here and I love the direct look that the owl is giving us. That hanging leg does look very forlorn...:)
Nicki
The perch and the meal make the image Marina. Saturation and contrast look fine on my monitor. Regarding sharpness, my experience with the 400 DO + 1.4x combo (Artie's glass) was that sharpness was not very impressive. So it could have been the glass. I might have considered ISO 800 to get a bit more shutter speed. I like Bill's idea about lightening the eye.
Awesome shot...and I would have been shaking with excitement with an opportunity like that also. Nice capture, I like the side light. The birds left eye in shadow does not bother me, and the contrast and sat look fine to me. Great pic and the BG, perch and kill just make it.
I used the 400DO and 1.4x combo for a little when I first got the lens, but stopped using it when things were not as sharp as I would have liked. However, I have gone back to it recently and doing a little experimentation with adjusting the aperture to try and get it sharper. I think the shutter speed on this might have been ok (tripod mounted), but if you had upped the ISO to 800 and gone with a slightly stopped down f-stop it might have given a better DOF (nothing in the BG to worry about) and sharper image? It's all great in hindsight though, and when presented with an adrenaline inducing op like this its not easy.
Hey
You know how much I love owls. :) They are my favorite birds, period.
Your image depicts nature at its finest and shake or no shake, you managed to pull off a ripper IMO. :) If you wanted to, maybe apply just a little more sharpening to the eyes. Overall, the comp is perfect with the diagonal tree then the owl closer to the URC. Well done. :)
I remember when you first shared this with me and I told you I found it "disturbing". Excellently composed, the warm colors are typical of our sunsets. The shadowed eye is the first thing I noticed and probably only thing I would attempt to correct. I think the sharpness is acceptable.
I don't find your shot graphic or disturbing at all. It's nature red in tooth and claw. That leg is you and me buying a drumstick at the supermarket. I appreciate the simplicity of this shot. Owl, perch, kill. I'd be tempted to lighten the left eye, but the contrast of dark eye, light eye makes the owl look more sinister. The sidelight may actually have worked to your advantage.
Marina, A NICE one, remember this evening all to well. You captured the moment perfecty. colors are fine to me since I was there and know that it is exactly how we saw it.
Nature at it's best and your capture at it's best!
Great Horned Owl with Prey (graphic for some)
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