Taken in August at the World Bird Sanctuary in St Louis. I've edited this shot a couple of times as I have learned new techniques. This version was done after the challenge was announced. I really like how this turned out and hope for a decent score but realize that their will be some monster shots to be compared to so you never know. I'll add the editing steps after the challenge.
Post challenge:
Wow, Top 25 and in this field, I'm honored. Thanks for all the comments and suggestionsa and to the four who Faved it. I really wanted the eye to pop more but it just didn't look right no matter what I did.
editing
Raw
noise reduction
Levels
curves
hue/saturtion levels for multiple parts of the image
dup layer set to overlay and low opactiy
USM for contrast
Dodge&Burn on feathers and bill
hue/sat level to take out all the red execpt the beak and eyes
blur background a bit
gradient for vignette
sharpen
border
resize
resharpen
noise reduction on background and beak
There you have it. I do like this shot and how it turned out but it is not my favorite pic from the year, just one I thought would score well.
Statistics
Place: 25 out of 484 Avg (all users): 6.7325 Avg (commenters): 7.7619 Avg (participants): 6.6491 Avg (non-participants): 6.9306 Views since voting: 2368 Views during voting: 409 Votes: 243 Comments: 28 Favorites: 6 (view)
This is a beautiful bird, how powerful and majestic. The feathers are a bit dirty but I realize you can't really clean up your "subject" without some serious PP. Great photo, -BB
Very nice detail. I think my eyes would like the image slightly lighter in general but that may be my monitor. So clean & beautiful. Back to bump you up to 9.
I love eagles!!! Great focuse and detail. Wish the lighting was a little better to make the yellow in the beak and eye pop out. Still a good job. Good Luck. 7.
Nice detail; appreciate seeing these guys from a distance but would NOT want to get this close to a wild one. Desat does make him look less warm (in the friendly sense).
Excellent animal portrait. Great composition/crop and remarkable detail visible throughout. The photo really would have popped if it was just a bit brighter and if the eye was a little more "pimped." Excellent job!
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