This is my new backyard friend. It showed up on my son's birthday and can be heard and seen almost every day... THis is not the best lighting, but I couldn't be too picky...
Shot in Raw
Opened in CS2 - adjusted exposure and white balance and curves. Saved as JPEG
Opened in Elements 3.0
Added adjustment layers for levels, bri/cont, hue sat.
Added layer for owl. Added masking layers for levels, bri/cont and hue sat to bring out owl and subdue background.
USM 10,50,0 to increase contrast
Dodge/ burn throughout image
Save for web
Opened JPEG - adjusted levels, hue/sat
USM 85,0.5,0 to sharpen
Reduced noise on whole image
Dodge burn in background and on feathers and eyes to give more contrast
Blurred background to reduce noise
Burned around edge of branch
Save for web.
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I'm in a bit of a quandry, not sure whether I am more jealous of the fact that you have such a wonderful visitor or the fact that even if it came to my place I dont know whether I would be able to capture it half as well as you
You must hear a lot of hooting at night I'd imagine? :) Nice bird image, but it could benefit with more midtones and maybe have the background a little less blown-out. Hope this helps.
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