Third Trip (Short-Eared Owl)

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Steve Large

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
461
Location
Nanaimo B.C.
third_trip_2025-4 copy.jpg

Here is an image from our third trip to the mainland . Taken a couple of weeks ago at Brunswick Point near Ladner B.C. Still lots of shortie action to be had.
Taken with Sony A1, 400mm F/2.8 with 2X at 800mm equivalent. 1/3200, F/6.3 at ISO 2500
 
Nicely framed image, well focussed.
This is purely a personal observation but I get the impression the image is a little bit heavy and saturated, I would be tempted to reduce the yellows and oranges a little.
 
Dear Steve,

I too like the composition here and space the subject occupies within the frame. Pose is superb.
Techs look good to me overall, cannot comment on the colours as I do not know the species... must say I am very taken with those piercing eyes!
Would have liked those wings to be a tad sharper but do understand you needed high SS and had to be careful with ISO.
Nice capture nevertheless, enjoyed viewing, thank you for sharing!

Kind regards,
Gabriela
 
third_trip_2025-12 copy.jpg

Hello Jonathan and Gabriela,
Here is an alternate image with less yellow and saturation. Color can always be hard in the winter with brown birds in a mostly brown environment. I think that this it is quite subjective as I may have added just a slight amount of saturation to take away the dead look to the subject. It would be nice to get more opinions on this so here goes.

Thank you for your honest responses!
Steve
 
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Nice eye contact Steve, but for me it just fills the frame with like space for the subject to breath, a bit looser I feel might be nicer, but your call. Saturation I think probably between the two.

Was this as you park up on the RH field or further away, along the breakwater bank where the Snowy Owls used to hang out?

TFS
Steve
 
Hello Steve,

I quite liked the warmth and colours of the BG in the OP. The changes you made seem a bit drastic, so maybe Steve K is right, somewhere in-between ;)

Kind regards,

Gabriela
 
I'm actually partial to the 2nd image as well. So much a personal preference on this It's some cold days to be out in Ladner! Really like the positioning and eye contact by the way, that's gold.
 
Nice eye contact Steve, but for me it just fills the frame with like space for the subject to breath, a bit looser I feel might be nicer, but your call. Saturation I think probably between the two.

Was this as you park up on the RH field or further away, along the breakwater bank where the Snowy Owls used to hang out?

TFS
Steve
Hi Steve, Near the second set of benches after the end of River Road. Not far from where the path makes that sharp 90 degree turn.
Steve
 
I'm actually partial to the 2nd image as well. So much a personal preference on this It's some cold days to be out in Ladner! Really like the positioning and eye contact by the way, that's gold.
Thanks Kurt,
I gotta say that the second one is probably closer to how I actually remember seeing the bird in person. The three times we went you didn't even need gloves. Got lucky and had quite good weather for photography and active days with the last time being the most highly populated as regards other photographers.

Steve
 

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