GREAT HORNED OWL FACE

I always appreciate and respect any feedback you provide and try to

learn from it. I will reciprocate for all who comment. I value honest

feedback and try to do the same for others as best as I can. Thanks.

Have fun shooting.

I find this photo terrific in different ways. First I see a very sharp and naturalistic photo. Next, I'll tell you, I have a fobia for birds, so the picture makes me shiver and feel quite unwell. The eyes of the owl I can't look into. Anyway, a photo that makes me feel this way, must be very natural and strong. A good photo, I can tell, which brought strong feelings to me. I usually don't comment on birdphotos, but this was very special.

Thank you for commenting on my photo.

Sidsel

WOW!  Love this close-up view of the owl.  This shows great detail.

Dave,

Expect that's about close enough!

Very nice!

Regards always,

Jim j.

Hi Dave,

Well shot at closer range.

A handsome looking fellow.

Best Regards, Mike

Hi Dave, it's super owl portrait with awesome detail, specially the eyes and I can see its tougue , just only very small is the white color at the right bottom distract me a little bit - But love this Owl portrait - TFS

Ann

Ann_Thao - thanks for pointing out the bright white spot in the lower right. It is blown out as you suggest - I will watch for that more carefully in the future.

I also think a little deeper DOF would have been better.

I thank all the others for your kind comments as well. Hope everyone enjoyed the image.

I don't think you can get much more 'up close and persona"l than this Dave. Good capture!

Gail, a telephoto lens makes it a lot easier. Thanks for you comment. I just sent you an idea to hold flowers still. Hope it helps.

Hi Dave 

Got your email, you're welcome and thanks. I clicked on the thumbnail of the owl because I liked the tight shot and the yellow eyes. I really like owls, they're such an interesting bird.

As for the image. I like the tight crop and the framing. The detail in the feathers is great. As you mentioned in your post above you wish it had more DOF, I'd agree. Ann_Thao mentioned the loss of detail in the lower right and you already have responded. Was it a RAW file? If it was I'm guessing that the detail can be pulled out in that area as it doesn't seem to be a high contrast image. As for my nit pics. I noticed two areas of hard transitions on the right, I might consider some cloning and blurring to soften them out. Also the eye on the right has an odd reflection in it. It's quite different from the other eye, not sure what's causing it. Maybe blending it to remove it so it matches better. I did an edit to show the areas and my edit to show what I mean. Just my 2 cents.

Regards

Greg