DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
I'm ready for my close-up...
I'm ready for my close-up...
SoulMan1978


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2008-09 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Sony DSLR-A100
Lens: Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6
Location: Banham Zoo, Norfolk, UK
Date: Sep 27, 2008
Aperture: 7.1
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/500 sec
Galleries: Candid, Animals
Date Uploaded: Sep 30, 2008

 Apologies for the cliche. I intended to go to Banham Zoo, where I'd never been before, to capture one of the many magnificent animals there, like tigers, leopards, cheetahs to name but three. Instead I resort to the old DPC cliche of an eagle shot (my second) simply because it's the one that came out best. I will be going back (next year I suspect) and I will get a more imaginative shot. Mark my words lol.

The same eagle (I assume) as featured in these great shots by Ecce Signum and talj:



He's a bit of a DPC star!

Editing quite simple. (not!)
Rotate through 90deg, Auto Colour in PS, save as a TIFF. Then open up in PSP, crop, resize, varying degrees of USM on different areas, some minor cloning on the beak and feathers, some HSL to take the colour out of the feathers, some colour balance on the eye to tweak the colour a bit, and a fair bit of selective softening and sharpening all around. Lastly duplicated the layer, blurred and set mode to overlay (a little trick I learned off Ecce Signum)

Statistics
Place: 17 out of 430
Avg (all users): 6.7771
Avg (commenters): 8.3333
Avg (participants): 6.6466
Avg (non-participants): 7.0800
Views since voting: 2999
Views during voting: 295
Votes: 166
Comments: 13
Favorites: 2 (view)

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
Nikon D7500
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 03/17/2009 04:46:17 AM
With all of the eagle shots in your portfolio I'd say I like this one the most. I like the catch light in the eye as well as great detail you captured. The processing you've used is simple and effective and I like the shallow DOF
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 01/13/2009 06:28:33 PM
This is a brilliant shot Barry
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon
10/07/2008 02:14:45 AM
The technicals are good so obviously you know how to use your equipment. However, to be honest I'll forget about this photo rather quickly because there simply isn't anything unique about it.

ETA: Well I didn't forget my comment which was probably too harsh so I apologize for that. Let me add that this is a striking image. The eagle has a very strong presence in the composition, which is stronger than most so in that regard and it's overall technicals, it stands out.

The main reason for my comment earlier is while this is a strong image that can stand out from a technical standpoint it doesn't stand out from a substance/newness standpoint which is also needed for an image to have lasting appeal. Anyway, just thought I clarify. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 10/05/2008 03:25:30 PM
Clear, beautiful, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7 V
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
 10/04/2008 10:32:13 PM
Wow. This works well. The nice crisp focus and the clarity of the eye work well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 10/03/2008 09:31:32 PM
This is about as good as I've ever seen of this subject.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1100D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
 10/03/2008 02:11:05 PM
Beautifully sharp. The photo, not the beak ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z8
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S
 10/03/2008 12:27:39 PM
fantastic details and lighting -
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7100
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
 10/01/2008 11:23:50 PM
This is a great Bald Eagle picture, well done
Believe me, there are not easy to take :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 10/01/2008 07:04:07 PM
close up is right, that beak is perfect. bumping up your score.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a6000
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 10/01/2008 09:19:07 AM
now that's a close-up -great work :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
 10/01/2008 08:24:38 AM
A fine close up it is!! WEll DONE:) = 11
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D50
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
 10/01/2008 12:17:40 AM
Great capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Theme: Classic / Light / Dark
Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 10/13/2026 07:30:59 AM EDT.