Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Collared Owlet

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default Collared Owlet

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This small 6 3/4 inch (17 cm) owl has the false eyespots on the back of its head. I wanted to capture a bit of the face plus some of the eyespot. These are fierce little owls that can prey on birds larger than themselves. Unfortunate about the thick branch immediately in front of the owlet. I could find no better angle. Photographed in Bhutan, Nov. 2011.

    Topaz de-noise on the bkgd and some cloning out really bright spots.

    Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 300 f4 L IS + 1.4x
    1/640, f5.6, exp. comp. +1/3, ISO 2000

    c & c most welcome

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Long Island, New York
    Posts
    6,275
    Threads
    574
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like your idea of showing the eyespot as well as the eye...a tough challenge. I still would have liked the very slightest head turn toward you just for a little feeling of connection. That said however, it's an image that I would like to have in my own files and also a great bird to see in the wild.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Haliburton, Ontario
    Posts
    886
    Threads
    57
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    That branch could probably be dealt with if you wanted Nancy. Cute little bird and nice to have the story about the false eyes - nicely shown from your angle. Did you try a bit of NR on the bird? - looks like a small amount might be beneficial.

  4. #4
    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Posts
    18,545
    Threads
    1,318
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    nice catch, wish you had eye contact! the image is a bit dark and quite noisy.
    New! Sony Capture One Pro Guide 2022
    https://arihazeghiphotography.com/Gu.../Sony_C1P.html


    ------------------------------------------------
    Visit my blog
    http://www.arihazeghiphotography.com/blog

  5. #5
    BPN Viewer Dave Leroy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Delta, BC
    Posts
    3,789
    Threads
    380
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice to see both the eye and the false eye. It looks like a bird that would very tough to catch out in the open and some decent light. Thanks for posting.

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Dan, what are your suggestions for dealing with the branch? Or do you mean while I was taking the photograph?

    Arash, I, too, was disappointed with the noise. I have had success with the Mark IV at ISO 2000 before. Is it because this image is fairly dark and noise is more obvious in the darker tones? Much of the time birds are in dark environments and a high ISO is needed. Any suggestions for better results?

    I do have several images with the owlet looking straight on. But those images have the same noise issues.

  7. #7
    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Posts
    18,545
    Threads
    1,318
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Nancy Bell View Post
    Dan, what are your suggestions for dealing with the branch? Or do you mean while I was taking the photograph?

    Arash, I, too, was disappointed with the noise. I have had success with the Mark IV at ISO 2000 before. Is it because this image is fairly dark and noise is more obvious in the darker tones? Much of the time birds are in dark environments and a high ISO is needed. Any suggestions for better results?

    I do have several images with the owlet looking straight on. But those images have the same noise issues.
    Nancy I am not sure if MK4 can handle ISO 2000 and in such low light, the IQ will be poor. I would use flash.
    New! Sony Capture One Pro Guide 2022
    https://arihazeghiphotography.com/Gu.../Sony_C1P.html


    ------------------------------------------------
    Visit my blog
    http://www.arihazeghiphotography.com/blog

  8. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Of course, flash would have been a good idea! I rarely use it and I must, must practice. Thanks, Arash.

  9. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Haliburton, Ontario
    Posts
    886
    Threads
    57
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Nancy - what I meant was that because the branch doesn't overlap with the bird, except a small section at the toe, the bird could be masked and the branch removed - probably best with cloning. This is quite an alteration of the image and might not be within everyone's ethics (I'm not sure where yours are with this approach). But technically, it could be done. I apologize - this is a quick 3-minute version of what I was thinking. More time would be required to do a good job - especially around the beak and smoother cloning in front of the bird.

  10. #10
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    The original looked as if it were photographed with a fog filter.... Surely too dark on the original thus the noise. As presented, too dark, a big green cast, and a total lack of contrast.... Attacked all that plus a crop from the back.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics