Great Horned Owl

[John 2]

Missed these Christina. A couple of nice shots. Prefer your first edit of no.1 to the second edit but if there is more in the originals, I wouldn't crop them quite so tightly. I also like John's edit. Makes it pop a bit more and draws my eyes to the centre.

[Brownbear]

Thank you.

Unfortunately the little extra bit on the right hand side is faded shoulder feathers, different lighting and not enough DOF for being so close. (: I also like John's edit.

Thank you for commenting. Truly appreciated.

Missed these Christina. A couple of nice shots. Prefer your first edit of no.1 to the second edit but if there is more in the originals, I wouldn't crop them quite so tightly. I also like John's edit. Makes it pop a bit more and draws my eyes to the centre.

[Brownbear]

Just to advise that I tried processing the owl image again, adding contrast as suggested by John (ajohnw), lightening the shadowed eye area on the right hand side of the owl (per Dan), and enhanced the eye lightening shadows, boosting clarity and saturation. (Thank you Frank)

I managed an edit similar to John's edit (ajohnW) but in the process I've messed up the white balance and the natural beauty of the owl. I'm not posting my edit simply because I destroyed the natural beauty of the owl and John's edit is the best of the bunch for all to see and learn from.


To finish up this thread here is another shot of the owl. My new favourite of the bunch even though the owl is looking away because of the colours and the even light even though I framed it too tightly. I brightened up the eye.



Thank you to all.

[deetheturk]

Superb Christina!

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Christina,

I just wanted to let you know I have finally seen and read this thread, which I have enjoyed.

Every time I see your shots I 'want' the 300mm prime, bit I really cannot justify it financially at the moment.

Nice series, to which I cannot add anything useful beyond encouragement.

Cheers,

[nikon66]

Beautiful photos, my preference goes to the second, fine background there.

[Brownbear]

Hi Dave,

Thank you for the visit and taking the time to comment. I miss your critiques.

You know if I could only have one lens the 300 mm would be it. I purchased it refurbished and traded in a couple of older lens, so keep it on your list until your budget allows. I can capture little fast flying birds in flight, still not easy but much easier with this lens. And I bet you could pan helicopters and capture sharp images with that propeller blur... I did it the other day just because one flew by but I deleted them because I have no use for them.

I still see chromatic aberration with this lens from time to time (but not so much), seen in this last owl shot as a faint green (previously purple) line on the back of the bird. I forgot to thank you for recommending neat image. At higher isos at full size when I see speckles in the sky and water I just de-noise the background and leave the bird alone. It works very well for me. Thank you.

Steven... Thank you for your kind words and also for letting me know your preference. I too leaning towards that and the 3rd as my favourites because the owl's natural beauty seems to stand out more in the warmer tone and he/she also looks happier.

[Brownbear]

Superb Christina!

Thank you David! Truly appreciated.

PS I photographed a fly the other day although sharp and in focus I would give it a 1 out of 10 compared to your beauties. But I intend to try again and one day I will post a fly - forewarned you might have to wait a few years. They are surprisingly hard to find and get close to, in naturally beautiful backgrounds.

[Dave Humphries]

Thank you for the visit and taking the time to comment. I miss your critiques.

Yeah sorry, my attendance at CiC has been a bit sporadic lately and sometimes I miss whole threads when I do get back.

Ooops, I never said, but I also prefer the warmer toned images here.

[Brownbear]

No worries. I receive plenty of help from others. I just like how you pick out details.

Thank you for letting me know about your preference for the warmer tones. This is something that I wanted to know. Truly appreciated.

Yeah sorry, my attendance at CiC has been a bit sporadic lately and sometimes I miss whole threads when I do get back.

Ooops, I never said, but I also prefer the warmer toned images here.