Which owl do you prefer?

[Panama Hat & Camera]

The same photo is presented in 4 versions:
#1 is the photo taken by the camera (JPG), without any PP, cropping, sharpening etc, resized to 1333 x 1000 pixels;
#2 is the same photo (RAW), little cropped and with some basic PP (it was presented in the thread What a impressive look! ... like an owl! (my first trial using RAW)), resized to 1500 x 1000 pixels;
#3 is the same photo (RAW), a more little cropped and with some more PP, resized to 1500 x 1000 pixels;
#4 is the same photo, with same crop as #2, but with much more PP and it was done by a friend of mine that works with PP much better than me, resized to 1500 x 1000 pixels.

Which owl do you prefer? Let me know your opinion.

C&C is welcome, as always.

Antonio.

#1 - 1/320 - f/6.5 - ISO 80 - 1200 MM FFE - Canon SX50HS


#2


#3


#4

[Digital]

I like #2, and 3; however #4 is my favorite.


Bruce

[jprzybyla]

First nice image of a Burrowing Owl. I like the second image the best, having photographed Burrowing Owls it is more true to the color. While the first image is nice I think the second image has more pop and demands attention. The third and fourth images the color appears off, with the fourth image more the color of a Great Horned Owl.

[Digital]

First nice image of a Burrowing Owl. I like the second image the best, having photographed Burrowing Owls it is more true to the color. While the first image is nice I think the second image has more pop and demands attention. The third and fourth images the color appears off, with the fourth image more the color of a Great Horned Owl.

I just showed my ignorance on the color of different types of owls.



Bruce

[Stagecoach]

Hi Antonio,

This is going to be very subjective and the main thing I would consider is the final purpose of the image.

Personally I prefer No 2 because it is the most natural compared against No 3 which to me appears a bit over sharpened and over saturated. Saying this I would have preferred to have seen the subject off centre as in No 1.

No 4 whilst an example of some ones PP skills suggests to me manipulation of an image for use in advertising or a comic.

But having said that, it's a great initial image that has given you scope to experiment which is always a good thing.

[pnodrog]

Yes, 2 but with the white balance cooled a bit and may be a small shift from green towards magenta.

[NorthernFocus]

No.2 hands down. As already mentioned the color may be a tad heavy on green/yellow.

[Steve S]

As far as white balance, #1 looks the closest.

Full edit , colors corrected , perhaps a bit on the warm side, but that is subjective.

[chrisletts]

For my money, #4 is a little oversharpened - I prefer a natural look.

[Suzan J]

Hello Antonio: I'm partial to bird shots and always look forward to seeing what others are finding in their backyards. Regrettably, I seldom see an owl, let alone have a chance to photograph one. I thought I would carefully look at all the shots before reading anyone else's comment, and to my surprise, I reached the same conclusion as most everyone else, and for the same reason. Number 2 fills the frame nicely and has the most pleasing colours.

[Brownbear]

#2 Natural and beautiful... Gorgeous detail.... Those eyes are mesmerizing...

[Panama Hat & Camera]

First nice image of a Burrowing Owl. I like the second image the best, having photographed Burrowing Owls it is more true to the color. While the first image is nice I think the second image has more pop and demands attention. The third and fourth images the color appears off, with the fourth image more the color of a Great Horned Owl.

Joe,
You are right. The photo #2 is more true to the color.
Thanks for viewing and commenting.
All the best,

Antonio.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

I like #2, and 3; however #4 is my favorite.


Bruce

Bruce,
IMHO, the photo #4 is nice, but it shows a bird that doesn't exist. As I explained, a friend of mine made a PP and the colours were changed.
Thanks for viewing and seeing.
Cheers,

Antonio.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

Hi Antonio,

This is going to be very subjective and the main thing I would consider is the final purpose of the image.

Personally I prefer No 2 because it is the most natural compared against No 3 which to me appears a bit over sharpened and over saturated. Saying this I would have preferred to have seen the subject off centre as in No 1.

No 4 whilst an example of some ones PP skills suggests to me manipulation of an image for use in advertising or a comic.

But having said that, it's a great initial image that has given you scope to experiment which is always a good thing.

Grahame,
I also prefer the #2, because it is more true to the color.
Thanks for viewing and commenting.
All the best,

Antonio.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

Yes, 2 but with the white balance cooled a bit and may be a small shift from green towards magenta.

L.Paul,
I think that your suggestion can improve the picture.
Thanks for viewing and commenting.
Cheers,
Antonio.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

No.2 hands down. As already mentioned the color may be a tad heavy on green/yellow.

Dan,
Photo #2 show colours that are very near of the true colours of the owl.
Thanks for viewing and commenting,
Best regards,

Antonio.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

As far as white balance, #1 looks the closest.

Full edit , colors corrected , perhaps a bit on the warm side, but that is subjective.

Steve,
I liked the colour corrections you made.
Thank you very much for commenting.
Best regards,
Antonio.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

For my money, #4 is a little oversharpened - I prefer a natural look.

Chrisletts,
Thanks for viewing and commenting,
Cheers,
Antonio.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

Hello Antonio: I'm partial to bird shots and always look forward to seeing what others are finding in their backyards. Regrettably, I seldom see an owl, let alone have a chance to photograph one. I thought I would carefully look at all the shots before reading anyone else's comment, and to my surprise, I reached the same conclusion as most everyone else, and for the same reason. Number 2 fills the frame nicely and has the most pleasing colours.

Suzan,
This owl (and some others) live in a beach very little frequented in the city of Macaé at 200 km (125 miles) from Rio de Janeiro.
I also prefer the #2, because it is more true to the color.
Thanks for viewing and commenting.
All the best,

Antonio.

[tbob]

I didn't read the other responses as I wanted to give my opinion. # 2 if it is the true colour. I like the little bit of extra space relative to the third and the tighter crop than the first.

Now I will read the prior responses