Inspiring Photo: Who? #9756948

Who?

Uploaded: February 07, 2010

Description

1/50 sec - f/4.0 - ISO 800 - 280mm

Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/50 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 800, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 280.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 40D

Comments

Debbra Bailey February 24, 2010

Fun title Jeff :) Cool browns - I like how monotone this is, but with lights to dark. I also like the composition, and the dof, but even the main owl seems a bit fuzzy to me - might just be the log in front, but this gives me a sense of movement. #1242341

Dale Hardin February 24, 2010

Jeff, I have been waiting for you to post this image. You have to tell everyone the story behind it and how you did it. I'm sure there are many in the club who don't realize you can get a shot like this. By any chance did you take a regular shot of the area to show a comparison?

Having said that, you know I can't resist tweaking such an unusual capture. Give this a try when you have time. First level the bird using the eyes as a reference and then use a 5x7 horizontal crop with the lower left corner starting at the resulting lower left so that the eyes of the bird end up at the upper right ROT.

Duplicate the result and apply the shadows/highlights at 100% for the shadows and zero on the other.

Blend using 50% soft light blend and apply high pass filtering.

Flatten the image. Then apply the shadows/highlights tool again with a setting of zero on shadows and about 50 on the darken highlights to just the limb in front of the owl. #8413040

Joan E. Hoffman February 24, 2010

I was looking at this this morning Jeff, admiring how the entire focus was on the baby Owl. If I would have taken this I would have tried to ensure all three were in focus, and would have missed the boat as this is just wonderful! Excellent work, look forward to hearing the story Dale mentioned and huge congratz on the EP!!! #8413335

Jeff E Jensen February 24, 2010

Thanks all!

Debbra - When I blow him up on my screen, he's pretty sharp. I think you may be right about the log giving it that effect.

Joan - These guys are actually full grown.

Dale - I knew you'd have some good suggestions. I'm out of town till next week, but will give them a whirl when I get a chance. I didn't get a regular shot of these guys, but I do have one of the bald Eagles that were next to them that shows what we were up against.

So that the rest of you know what we are talking about, this was one of the last shots of the day when Dale and I were at the Wild Animal Park. At this point, the sun was behind the hills and the light was about gone. In addition, this is shot through the thick netting material that made up their home. This was shot using a tripod - in fact, I carried my tripod all day and I think this was one of 3-4 shots that I actually used it. Definitely worth the effort. #8413466

Rita K. Connell February 25, 2010

way to go Jeff, this is a great shot especially after hearing the condition got to love thoses tripods. congrats on the EP #8417123

Rita K. Connell February 25, 2010

way to go Jeff, this is a great shot especially after hearing the condition got to love thoses tripods. congrats on the EP #8417124

Ellen H. Robertson February 26, 2010

All of your wildlife shots have been amazing. OK so how did you make the netting go away and where did you get the light? I like the two in the BG framing the little one, looks like they are standing gaurd.
Well deserved EP, Congrats. #8417536

Anthony L. Mancuso February 26, 2010

Cool shot Jeff, the two owls in the bg do appear to be this guys parents looking on. I would like to know how you handled the netting...WLTSDS and would also like to see the original...the bokeh looks a bit unusual and I'm wondering if you added blur or if the lens naturally did this.. #8419132

Dale Hardin February 27, 2010

C'mon Jeff. You've kept them waiting long enough. Fess up with the net disappearing trick already. :O) It's very cool and very useful info. #8420282

Debbie E. Payne February 27, 2010

jeff. I love him. but pleasse tell us... inquiring minds want to know what Dale already knows... #8420800

Debbra Bailey February 28, 2010

OK Jeff - thanks to Dale's teasing, NOW I am REALLY curious! Fess up! #8422430

Jeff E Jensen February 28, 2010

Thanks all, I appreciate your kind comments.

Sorry for the slow response, I have been wandering the streets of New York with my brother for the past 3 days.

So, here's the secret: while no one is looking, you have Dale sneak over the rail so that he can get to the net. Next, he whips out his trusty Swiss Army Knife and uses the scissors to quickly cut the mesh. After I fire off a few frames, Dale uses the knitting needles from his knife to patch the hole. Piece-o-cake!

Okay, really, it's not that big of a trick, I used the biggest aperture I could to get the shallowest DOF possible so that only the bird and not the net in focus. Even with just the center focus point selected, it was tricky to get it to focus on just the bird, so I ended up using manual focus. The shallow DOF combined with the thin strands of the net, cause it to disappear. Ta Da! Oh, I also used a tripod.

Tony- the only adjustments that I have made so far was a bit of a levels adjustment. I will work on Dale's suggestions when I get some time later in the weak. The bokeh is compliments of the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L lens and 1.4x tele-converter that I was shooting with. #8422651

Anthony L. Mancuso February 28, 2010

Never met Dale personally but somehow he seems like the kind of guy that would actually do that to get the shot! #8422762

Michael Kelly February 28, 2010

Terrific shot Jeff! I love the framing and the POV. This one has a great feel to it. No suggestions as I think it is perfect as is. #8422922

Jeff E Jensen February 28, 2010

Tony - I think you are right.

Thanks Mike! It is good to have you back. #8422933

Dale Hardin March 01, 2010

Who, me?!!? Naaa.. Well ..... maybe. :o) #8424296

Teresa H. Hunt March 01, 2010

Love this shot Jeff. I do think the log in front looks a bit blurred. I'm looking forward to seeing Dale's suggestions. :)

#8424691

Jeff E Jensen March 02, 2010

So, I haven't had a chance to pork on Dale's suggestions, but here is another shot that shows you the net that we were shooting through.

No need to critique this one, I know it is junk. #8426753

Jeff E Jensen March 02, 2010

Alright, here's Dale's suggestions. It really changes the feel of the image, but I really like the results. Thanks Dale. #8428217

Anthony L. Mancuso March 03, 2010

That crop does change the feel of the image entirely, I like it a lot.. #8429120

Rita K. Connell March 03, 2010

the story has been changed the question is with parents or with out. I vote without... I like that its just his face that is in focus. can't go wrong with either as we all ready know the judges like the first one. great job oh how I wish it would get out of the twentys so I could go to the zoo #8429252

Dale Hardin March 03, 2010

Very happy that you're pleased Jeff. It turned out great. #8429388

Teresa H. Hunt March 03, 2010

I like your new one as well Jeff. I really like that the owl is the primary focus of the photo. But I have to say . . . my eye keeps being pulled to the log in front of the owl. It looks like it's moving, strange huh? #8429549

Debbra Bailey March 03, 2010

Love the crop Jeff! #8430210

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