Wow, Gosh, Yay!!!!! Thank You! Its 5.15 in the morning here in York, and I don't think I shall be going back to sleep...
When the challenge was anounced I knew exactly what I wanted. This was taken at a Falconry Centre close to York, as was my Tryptych entry, and I used my new 100-400mm lens. Its my baby, and I almost love it more than I do my cat....
This is going to be an exciting day for me as it is the awards evening at York Photographic Society, of which I am a member, and I get a trophy for Best Annual Print, a Rose Bowl for best photo of York and it's peopleand certificates for a Highly Commended and Second Place in the Small Prints Competition (the 2nd was for my other blue, the 12 Days entry - perhaps I shall have to enter this one in next years comp...)
I have so much to learn; every day I am awed by photographs on this site. I still haven't a clue with any lighting other than natural light, and know I have got to master this before I can really develop any more - I have a bit of a block in understanding, so if anyone knows of any books or guides that even the dimmest person can understand, let me know! The same goes for landscapes, which I love trying to take, but just can;t crack....
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Great shot. I recently replaced an old Canon 70-300 (non IS) to the 100-400 f4 and am now finding myself really missing the 70-100mm focal lengths. Did yours replace a similar lens? (looks like it from your profile) - if so, how are you handling the missing lengths? (do you take out the old lens?)
this is a great shot. The only beef I have with it is that the focus is in between the eyes and not on the eyes themselves. i don't know what conditions you were shooting so that might have been very hard to do. I would have also maybe played with contrast or curves just to darken the beak and the black feather in each bottom corner. But like I said, great capture.
I think this is the best picture of a Great Horned Owl I have ever seen. We used to own one, she was just a tiny one though, a baby. She was getting too big, so she is now at a zoo. Awesome photo though!!
What an outstanding addition to the DPC archives. A deeply penetrating capture with great detail and arresting color. Congratulations on this highly deserved BLUE.
What a beautiful shot - lovely rich color, and the 'expression'. Glad I am not a mouse!
You are listed as having the 350D, and this could be the problem with landscapes. You didnt say what exactly was the problem, but I find the same - to me, there is not enough detail at 8 megapix to show the fine detail, but the sensor in this camera is very sharp with individual pixels.
I find the best thing is to set the film speed to 100, use a tripod, set the camera to RAW setting, use manual settings at about f11, colour saturation to high settings, and autofocus on something about halfway into the picture. If you have a choice of lenses, use your sharpest one if wide angle enough, and take several of each scene or view.
If you use the Canon software, set sharpness to about the threequarter setting, and if you want higher colour just dial it in. Then, in Photoshop, if you want, your can use Unsharp filter to crisp it more, and even then, you can use the sharpen filter to get it at maximum crispness.
You will then get the sharpest, richest shots you can on the camera!
It's a bit hard to move the scenery, but if you can move around, then take several of the scene, and dump the ones you don't like.
There is no substitute for taking more shots, and the rule of thirds is often very useful, where points or objects of interest should fall about one third from the edges of the picture, both from the top and bottom, and both sides - imagine the picture divided into three cuts both accross and down, and where the dividers meet, put objects of interest, and the picture is automatically more interesting. Good idea to read books on landscaper photography, and look at the luminous landscape website. Sorry about longwinded message
Awesome image here, and so deserved the "BLUE" ribbon..... Owls are definately one of my favorite birds, and this one is super.
Just added this to "my favorites", as the textures are to die for.....
Congratulations, Sara, looks like you were right to be so upbeat throughout the challenge (on the scores thread; I was really waiting to see which shot was yours, there were so many good ones in this challenge). Great subject, wonderfully shot, and perfectly presented. Definitely deserving of your blue!
In To My Soul
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