An Eagle Close-up

[Brownbear]

Also photographed on Grouse Mountain

Both images... SS 1/1600 f/4, ISO 220 Focal length 300 mm

Processed in LR, sharpened in Photoshop CC

I like both of these images for the intensity even though the eagle is not looking at me.


#1 Not cropped



#2 Cropped to be less centered.



Is the less centered crop an improvement, and if yes, why?

Does the image work for you even though the eagle isn't looking into the camera?

Thank you.

[chauncey]

Ditto on what I said on your others.

[jprzybyla]

Nice images, but if you moved a bit to the right your angle would have been better to show the head and eye.

[NorthernFocus]

Excellent techs on both shots, Christina. NOW you're taking advantage of that D7100 and the sharp glass. Regarding he eye contact, well sometimes the critters just don't cooperate perfectly. But it's all good

[jprzybyla]

Yup... how I know.

[bnnrcn]

I like them very much Christina, especially #2 Because I'm not experienced in bird shooting I don't know if the postures are proper or not. May I ask how you managed to shoot them with a 300 mm lens. Were you so close or did you use an extender ?

[Brownbear]

Thank you Chauncey, Joe, Dan and Binnur!

Joe... Thank you for advising. Truly appreciated. My positioning options were limited due to crowds of tourists and a distracting background. I did manage a shot of the eagles head in profile but the light was not as nice (mid-day light and shadows on part of the bird and on it's eye.)

Binnur...

Ideally the eagle should be moving into the frame instead of flying out of the frame (and also looking at me or at least not looking out of the frame in a backwards direction) but I still liked these shots because the intense feel. So I'm trying to learn whether this makes up for the latter, or not.

No extender needed. These are birds from a wildlife refuge displayed by their trainer to educate the public about birds which is a wonderful opportunity to photograph these birds up close. I was practicing my birds in flight on an osprey (very fast flying) who took off for a 45 minute flight somewhere in the mountains. However, even though it offers a great opportunity to get close to these birds it is too crowded and positions are very limited, sometimes impossible.

So no need for an extender here. I do have an extender that makes my 300 mm lens a 500 mm lens but oftentimes I take it off because it makes the focusing on my lens much slower (a hindrance for fast flying birds) especially in low light. Although I would love to have a longer lens I do manage to fill the frame with birds with my 300 mm lens, bigger birds like egrets, herons, geese, frigates, vultures and sometimes even smaller birds like pigeon guillemots and terns. (not swallows or hummingbirds) I search out locales where the birds are flying towards or by me, or I just hang around until the bird is comfortable with me, and/or visit the park where the birds are not so shy.

Aside..

No one has answered my question about the cropping of the 2nd image which makes the bird less centered but leaves it less space to fly into. ie; is the composition best centered with the extra space or not?

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[NorthernFocus]

...Aside..

No one has answered my question about the cropping of the 2nd image which makes the bird less centered but leaves it less space to fly into. ie; is the composition best centered with the extra space or not?

It's largely a matter of taste, Christina, and dependent on a given image. I prefer it centered in this particular case. If the head was turned directly at the camera, then moving off center would work better. Also if the entire body was visible, then perhaps moving off center would look better.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Dan! Your taking the time to answer my question with a very insightful explanation is truly appreciated, and very helpful.

It's largely a matter of taste, Christina, and dependent on a given image. I prefer it centered in this particular case. If the head was turned directly at the camera, then moving off center would work better. Also if the entire body was visible, then perhaps moving off center would look better.

[Loose Canon]

Just a theory...

[bnnrcn]

Thank you for the explanation Christina BTW Terry's crop works really fine for me .

[ajohnw]

I think your 2nd shot is excellent Christina and well balanced . The bird has some where to look. I can see where Terry is going on his crop and would wonder about moving the head up in yours mostly by including more body. I think it would be a mistake to loose too much of the body as Terry has.

John
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[Loose Canon]

I think your 2nd shot is excellent Christina and well balanced . The bird has some where to look. I can see where Terry is going on his crop and would wonder about moving the head up in yours mostly by including more body. I think it would be a mistake to loose too much of the body as Terry has.

John
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Agreeing with Dan here Christina as a matter of personal choice/preference. I don't think either way is a "mistake" as has been inferred.

[Wavelength]

Outstanding...quite a rare angle....

[Downrigger]

They are terrific. I'm voting for Terry's crop, partly because the anatomy of those extra ruffles behind the neck is a bit confusing.

[ied]

I can't offer any suggestions but those are awesome captures Christina.
Irene

[Brownbear]

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments, encouragement, and advice on cropping. I always struggle with what looks right when cropping so it is very helpful to receive feedback from others.

Terry - I adore your crop. Thank you for taking the time to show me this.

John - Thank you for sharing. I know what you mean because when I was photographing the eagle I wanted to include the shoulders of the eagle. So it is very helpful to have other insights to learn from.

Mark - Extra ruffles confuse the anatomy... LOL! I like the ruffles but now I will be analyzing that image for days on end trying to decide if the ruffles enhance or distract. (just joking) Actually I think you raise a good point because the extra ruffles are less sharp and just sort of fade away. Truly appreciated.

Nandakumar - Thank you for letting me know you like the angle. It is an odd image so very nice to know.

Irene - Thank you so much. Truly appreciated.

Thank you to all! One day I will post another eagle shot with a more straightforward look.

[Otavio]

...you're taking advantage of that D7100 and the sharp glass...

What is the glass used here, by the way? Looks really sharp.

Very nice shots, Christina!

[Brownbear]

Hi Otavio,

It's my 300 mm Nikon f4 lens. Which I absolutely adore. I purchased this lens last July and even though the decision meant I don't have a lens that covers 200-300 mm I would purchase this lens again because it focuses so fast. I should mention that I used Colin's sharpening technique on these so that might also make a difference.

Thank you Otavio!

PS John (Shadowman) Thank you for your comments, as always.

What is the glass used here, by the way? Looks really sharp.

Very nice shots, Christina!