Barn Owl Feather

[Dennis_Plank]

Feather 2

Feather 3

Feather 4

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I was out shifting the irrigation in my blind setup this morning and spotted this feather that I believe is a contour feather from a Barn Owl. I had to pick it up and have some fun with it. Rather than go with a macro lens, I chose a 28-70 mm zoom because our camera club member sharing theme this month is “The Normal Lens”, 50 mm for this camera. One or two of these are down in the 38 range because I screwed up. The feather is just slightly over 1"x2".

Since these are completely setup shots, the moderators can move them to Everything Else, if they choose.

Specific Feedback

I’m curious as to which of these appeals to you the most, if at all. Also, is there anything you’d change, modify in any of these.

Technical Details

Sony A7Rv, Sigma 28-70 f/2.8, F/22 for all but the third which was at f/11. Shutter speed and iso were all over the place. Hand held. The ones with the wood background were taken on window sills in a porch and required higher iso’s. Those were put through DxO PureRaw 5 for noise reduction. Processing in LR & PS CC. Various crops to suit my taste.

---

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
Processing:
Technical:

[Bill_Fach]

Dennis: OK for me to leave these here; I’ve done the same kind of thing with feathers myself. My order of preference would be 3, 2, 1, 4. The contrast of feather texture to the grain of the wood works best for me. The colors in #3 are so wonderfully complementary that it is my clear favorite. Nice series. >=))>

[Dennis_Plank]

Thanks, Bill. I appreciate the input.

[Shirley_Freeman]

Dennis, I like what you did with this great find. I haven’t even found a feather of an owl yet, much less an owl to photograph. Maybe one day. All are really nice setups, but I think I like @Bill_Fach order. Number 3 just stands out to me with the contrast of the grain of wood with the feather. All are nice though.

[Jim_Zablotny]

Second one works best for me as the patterns of the BG appear more random in arrangement. I like the color palette as well…..Jim

[Allen_Sparks]

Nice feather shots Dennis. I also prefer the ones on wood the best. Nice contrast. I believe #3 is my fave. Well done.

[Diane_Miller]

Wonderful! I’ll go with 1, 3, 2, 4, but they are very close choices. I love photographing feathers. Sometimes nature gives me a great situation but I also find staging the shots to be creative and rewarding.

Our neighbors acquired a Barn Owl a couple of years ago and last fall I started finding feathers like this that I assumed were from it. (Or them…)

[Mark_Seaver]

Dennis, I like #1 and #3. #1 stands out because of the water on the wood, while #3 has the nice gentle curves in the wood grain. The details in the feather look good in all.