Owl

[Collette Haworth]

Went to the HCT Members' Evening tonight and took this shot of an Owl, came home and after a quick masterclass with the "better half" have managed to process my Raw image into a jpg.

Look forward to some constructive advice on anything that I could do to improve my image.

[Glenn]

Re: Owl

Well I'm biased and really like this shot

One thing you could do is clone out the straps.

[djguk47]

Re: Owl

Collette,
Great shot with superb definition of the feathers.
It would appear that you have been an A* student.
Ignore the teacher's comments about the straps because what you have posted is what you saw.
In answer to your question...nothing
Is this Molly??

David

[malla1962]

Re: Owl

Its a nice shot but clone out the jessies and it will be better,maybe try and darken the bright aria.

[Collette Haworth]

Re: Owl

Thanks for the replies everyone.

It is not Molly, it is one of two "baby" owls that are currently in training as a duo. Unfortunately I was so intent on getting a photo of them, I forgot to make a note of their names.

Will have a go at cloning out the straps and doing something with the blown sky and will repost when I have done to see what you think - may take me a while, but I will get there :tongue:

[briansquibb]

Re: Owl

Collette - leave in the straps - it shows that it isn't a wild bird

When I went to HCT I used flash which darkened out the background nicely

[colin C]

Re: Owl

Nicely done Collette.

I have taken nearly the duplicate of that shot, but taken from a slightly higher angle, so that the sky didn't affect the background. I processed mine slightly lighter and I did clone out the jesses.

I understand Brian's comment, but my view is that if I say that it was taken at a wildlife centre (the HCT in this instance) or I mention that jesses have been removed, then there is no intention to deceive the viewer. In my shot, I considered the jesses a distraction - I could have taken two paces to the left and the jesses would have been hidden by the post.

It is a Ural Eagle Owl.

Colin

[Stan]

Re: Owl

Lovely shot of the ural owl just spoilt slightly by the blown sky. If it were mine i would have cloned the jesses as well - easy job as they are mainly on the background

Stan

[Collette Haworth]

Re: Owl



This is my first attempt at serious photo manipulation to remove the blown out sky and also the straps on the birds leg. I am sure there is much I could do to improve my technique further but I am pleased with this first try.

Let me know what you think.

[Stan]

Re: Owl

I think you have made an excellent job of it Collette. You can now concentrate on the owl without the distraction of the blown sky

Stan

[Canon-Fodder!]

Re: Owl

Hi Collette;

I think that's a brilliant job; I doubt I could have attempted that; specially with the fine detail of the bird's feathers...

One small nit-pick; the remnants of your water-mark are bang in the middle to the right of the bird's belly... I'd take that out...

Otherwise; well done... Give's Colin's image a run for it's money now!!!!!

Cheers...

[Collette Haworth]

Re: Owl

One small nit-pick; the remnants of your water-mark are bang in the middle to the right of the bird's belly... I'd take that out....

Well spotted Canon-Fodder. I knew it was there somewhere but could not actually see it. Now you have located it for my it is quite distracting.
I am going to try again and additionally lighten the image up - as it seems to have become darker than the original one.

I will just post a link to the next version on my flickr account.

Thanks to all for the encouragement and suggestions, it is really appreciated and helps so much.