First post. Eagles.

[Doug Robertson]

Thought I would try posting an image in here, to see how it goes.

Avian photography is a new to me as I've never really had the focal length in my bag of tricks to reach out and get anything. I have recently been given an old Bushnell 400mm F6.3 lens that, with the help of an adapter works with my Nikon D90.

This was taken at the local dump. The image was processed in lightroom 3, slight crop, some exposure work, little bit of sharpening and some CA adjust.

I know more then I can apply and I'm trying to learn. Any help would be good. Thanks for your time.

[John Chardine]

Hi Doug- Big welcome to BPN! We look forward to seeing more posts from you. If you stick with BPN you will learn a huge amount about nature photography.

So would I be correct in thinking that what you have is a digiscoping setup right now? Regardless this is a pretty nice image. I am a fan of showing lots of habitat which you have done here, and it's not too messy. It is a real challenge to include habitat but not have it distract from the subject. I like the way the pines frame the bird. There isn't a lot of detail on the bird, based on the look of the eye- maybe the nictitating membrane (second eyelid) was across? There are tighter crops that you could consider but you may not have the image quality to do this. BTW are you considering the purchase of a telephoto lens to fit on the D90?

Could you include the exposure details for the image as well- shutter speed, aperture, ISO setting, use of flash, % of image left after crop etc.

We are interested in everyone's opinion on other images and we ask that you consider posting comments on at least 5 other images for every one you post. This is a great learning experience for you and we really encourage it. Tell us what you like and don't like about an image in a gentle but honest way.

[Doug Robertson]

Could you include the exposure details for the image as well- shutter speed, aperture, ISO setting, use of flash, % of image left after crop etc.

Ah, yes I realized I hadn't included that just after I posted the image.
Nikon D90
Shot in manual mode
ISO - 400
1/500th
F6.3
No flash

Before crop was 4288 x 2848
After crop is 3423 x 2274

This is actually not digi scoping, as it's actually a camera lens. It was made for the Pentax M42 screw mount and I'm using an adapter (that adds a glass element so the lens will still focus to infinity) to get it to work with my camera.

As for purchasing a current telephoto lens... I'd love to! But alas the budget currently doesn't allow for it.
I will start commenting on some images. It's a little intimidating because while I can see things that could be improved, my own images are not even to the point where I'd like them to be. All in time, I suppose.

Thanks so much for commenting!

[Paul Guris]

I like the bird's positioning as well. You managed to drop the bird right into the hole instead of in front of a pile of distracting branches. Nice job. The only possible improvement I might suggest is to see what it looks like if you up the contrast a little. It might drop the brightness of the background and bring up the bird's plumage a bit.

[Allen Hirsch]

Welcome to BPN, Doug! Starting with an eagle - nice!

If you haven't already, I'd consider cropping maybe half to a third of what you have on the left, just to help the eagle "show up" a little more, without messing too much with a ROT composition.

[Doug Robertson]

Thanks for the input. Spent a little more time with it today...

Out of camera was 4288 x 2848
First crop is 3423 x 2274
Crop is now 2654 x 1763
I boosted the contrast and dropped the brightness. Selectively lightened and sharpened the bird.



Thanks for the help!

[Robert Holguin]

Great first post. I really like the composition as it shows the eagles enviroment. The repost is much better. Well done.

[Jeff Dyck]

Great to see you posting here Doug! (and great first post)

I definitely prefer the crop in the repost but prefer the exposure of the original post - I like the greens of the foliage and more distinct detail in the dark feathers of the bird. I might also look at warming the entire image - it feels a bit cool to me.

I agree with John that something funny is going on with the eye, but to me, with the pinks/reds visible it almost looks like an infection rather than the nictitating membrane - does the eye also look red in other frames you took?

I will start commenting on some images. It's a little intimidating because while I can see things that could be improved, my own images are not even to the point where I'd like them to be. All in time, I suppose.

Don't feel intimidated about posting comments - you don't have to get into highly detailed or technical criticism - just tell people how you feel and what you like or don't like about their image - you opinion is certainly as valid as anyone else's!