Straight down the Barrel

[Steven Kersting]

Hi all, I'm new here. Thought I'd start with a pic.
Caught this osprey at short range.

Camera Nikon D3
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 800 mm
ISO Speed 1000
Exposure Bias +2/3 EV

[Doug Brown]

Welcome Steven! The title sums up this image nicely; that's some great eye contact! Your point of maximum sharpness appears to be the beak, and focus falls off as you get to the eyes. For shots like this it helps to stop down a little and to focus on the feathers between the eyes if possible. I'd consider adding a little canvas at the top of the frame. Thanks for posting, and look forward to seeing more of your images!

[Steven Kersting]

Thank you.
Of course you are right on the focus......
I was actually set up on autofocus with the camera/lens on a gunstock setup as I was stalking and not set up...

[Gary Esman]

Hi Steven and welcome. Nice looking Osprey. Agree with Doug on the focal point. TFS Gary.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Welcome to BPN Steven!!

High impact image visually, lots of caracter on this close-up, and perfect for the theme I agree with focus issue, but for web posting you may get away with some selective sharpening of the eyes (although getting it right in camera is the way to go of course). I also agree with adding more room above. You may also want to warm up the image as the WB seems a bit on the blueish side.

I like how you included some of the upper back. Looking forward to more!!

[Steven Kersting]

Ok, so am I allowed to post an edited version based on comments, or do I have to wait 48 hrs?

[Steven Kersting]

Well, when messing around in lightroom I managed to somewhat modify the file which then updated Flickr and broke the link.....Clicking on the placeholder still takes you to the "original" though.

In order to avoid a dead post I'm adding the edited version.
Added background to place center of eyes at 1/3 intersection, slightly different crop, a levels adjustment to set WB/ white/black points, high pass sharpening.



It's still a touch off and I've got a little color fringing....

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hey Steven, you sure are allowed to submit a reworked version in the same thread...but we highly encourage you also keep the original there so we may compare the differences.

From what I remember the extra space above makes for a much improved comp. The sharpening on the eyes seem better too. Hard to say on the WB (which I think can still go warmer on the bird itself).

[Steven Kersting]

Hey Steven, you sure are allowed to submit a reworked version in the same thread...but we highly encourage you also keep the original there so we may compare the differences.

From what I remember the extra space above makes for a much improved comp. The sharpening on the eyes seem better too. Hard to say on the WB (which I think can still go warmer on the bird itself).

Yeah, I didn't intentionally break the original...it's still there if you click on the "image not available" placeholder in the original post.

Thanks for the input.... I'm kind of amazed I didn't see that myself originally.

[Steven Kersting]

OK, getting sick of LR/Flickr breaking the link.
I thought the new LR3 Flickr plugin was supposed to be able to update images in the library (it does that) without breaking links etc (it doesn't do that...it even overwrites the Flickr picture name on update)

Here it is, last edit just a touch warmer.