Tawny Owl Protrait

[Geir Jensen]

Photo taken in Norway. I have used a low ISO because the bird was sitting in a hole in the tree and was afraid of noise in the dark. There was little light that morning, so I used a tripod and remote control. "I hope Santa comes with a flash for Christmas." Data: EOS 1D MK III, 500mmL F 4.0 IS 1.4 converter, 1 / 6, ISO 200. F5, 6. Vignetting in Lightroom. Date: 8/11-2011

[Arthur Morris]

The photo leave me a bit confused.... Why are the reflections in the bird's eye so strange? If you look at the bird's right eye, the sky seems to have been to the right rather than above where it should be. Compositionally I'd like a black border all the way around the bottom.

[Geir Jensen]

It is right that the reflection of the sky, coming in from the right. The bird sat in one of many large trees. There are lots of leaves on the trees, so there is no reflection from the sky above the bird.
Regards Geir

[Alan Murphy]

Interesting light fall off. Beautifully done. I would like to see a version with the tree as well.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Love the close up. I also like the black bg

[Craig Brelsford]

Photo taken in Norway. I have used a low ISO because the bird was sitting in a hole in the tree and was afraid of noise in the dark. . . . .

I don't understand the relationship between the owl fearing noise and your low ISO. A very interesting portrait of the classic European owl.

[arash_hazeghi]

very cool, I'd also like to see what the it looked like with the tree, You should be able to use MKIII up to ISO 800 without that much noise.

[Ofer Levy]

I like it as presneted - don't feel there is a need to include the tree. Just added some canvas all around, got rid of the blue on the feathers and fixed the right eye. WDYT?

[Arthur Morris]

ITILG. Repost is loverly. Ofer, you have become a valuable asset here. Thanks a stack for that.

[Ofer Levy]

ITILG. Repost is loverly. Ofer, you have become a valuable asset here. Thanks a stack for that.

Thank you Artie! Coming from you it's a big compliment! I have learnt everything I know by interacting with other photographers here and in other forums and I learn new things every day. Even in this repost - I don't think I have ever tried a square composition but I can see it can work beautifully....

[Arthur Morris]

I don't understand the relationship between the owl fearing noise and your low ISO. A very interesting portrait of the classic European owl.

Craig, I think that he was afraid of noise in the image....

[Geir Jensen]

Here is a repost of the original. Now you understand why it was square. The bird was well hidden behind the leaves. Fortunately there was little wind, and blew the leaves off to the side. I am satisfied with myself, who managed to take photo with the slow shutter speed "1 / 6"

Regards Geir Jensen

[Arthur Morris]

Had you been able to frame the image a bit more carefully by pointing the camera down to give the talons some more I would not have minded something like this toned down repost.