Photographer’s Notes
I went to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo yesterday afternoon. Like many great zoos, they have a “Raptor Show” where they fly hawks, owls, et al. I got a number of very nice shots but I was most taken with this Pygmy Owl.
I intentionally left the gloved hand in the frame for scale and to reinforce that this was a zoo animal.
I may get some complaints about grain. I used ISO 800 to force my shutter speed. These little guys won’t stand still for anything and I chose to freeze the movement with 1/2000 shutter spead. Sorry about the grain but it was a compromise I felt I had to make.
Post Processing
Reduce Noise (Neat Image)
Sharpen (Lab color method w/ CS2 Smart Sharpen)
Auto Levels
Auto Contrast
Auto Color
Select Background
Save Selection (Background)
Invert Selection
Save Selection (Owl & Glove)
Copy & Paste to New Layer
Hue/Saturation (+20)
Opacity (90%)
Load Selection (Background)
Copy & Paste to New Layer
Hue/Saturation (15)
Opacity (90%)
Brightness (+28) / Contrast
Reduce Noise (Neat Image)
Select Owl Layer
Select Glove
Save Selection (Glove)
Hue / Saturation (-20)
Crop
Resize (Bicubic Sharper)
Clone out distracting specs
Save for Web
Camera Data
Nikon D70
2005/07/13 14:47:19
JPEG (8-bit) Fine
Image Size: Large (3008 x 2000)
Lens: VR 70-200mm F/2.8 G
Focal Length: 200mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/2000 sec - F/6.7
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 800
Optimize Image: Vivid
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Color Mode: Mode IIIa (sRGB)
Tone Comp: Auto
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Normal
Sharpening: Auto
Image Comment:
Noise Reduction: OFF
Statistics
Place: 10 out of 198 Avg (all users): 6.7692 Avg (commenters): 8.1000 Avg (participants): 6.6102 Avg (non-participants): 6.9310 Views since voting: 5891 Views during voting: 353 Votes: 234 Comments: 30 Favorites: 6 (view)
I don't see grain either, great image, I love how small the owl is and how gnarled and thick the glove is.
Something captivating in his eyes and posture. Don't let his size fool you! This bird is a Killer! Well done.
beautifully composed and focused. background is perfectly non-distracting. colors are right on. this could have worked int the textures challenge as well. good work! bumping up
Fit Challenge Criteria: 2/2
Color/Contrast: 2/2
Composition: 2/2
Photo Quality: 2/2
My Subjective Affinity: 2/2
Perfect 10! I really like how you included the glove of the caretaker. It gives more insight in to the size of the owl. Exposure is excellent, and it is a very crisp photo. Excellent work!
Very cool!!!! The detail on the bird is amazing, and I just love the perspective you get with him sitting on that glove. A super close-up shot would have left me thinking he was a normal sized bird, but this lets you see how tiny and delicate he is. Excellent job!!!!!!!
Since I am lacking in technical skills, I cannot give helpful comments. I am strictly a photo buff who is trying to improve, but as to telling you what is wrong or right, I am in no position to say. I am simply voting based on whether I like the picture or not. Sorry, maybe someday I will be able to give helpful advice
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