Great Horned Owl Feeding an owlet

Image Critiques
1

Great Horned Owl NPN.jpg
Great Horned Owl NPN.jpg1250×1014 1.5 MB

Critique Style Requested: In-depth

The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.

Self Critique

I was unbelievably lucky with this image. Mom is feeding fresh meat to one of it’s owlets. The male brought it in probably before dawn.

Thoughts on cropping please. This is the best of the burst and I did not know I captured it until I started processing

Creative direction

I was trying to capture the just the great horned owl mother. After several days I was not too pleased with any of the hundreds of images I shot but I kept shooting looking a for a nicer view.

Specific Feedback

I tried to use AI to remove a few stray branches on the right side of the image. Results are ho hum at best. Too much going on for the clone tool. Would a tighter crop be better ?? The area where the two of them were at was very dark and thus I had no idea what I shot until processing. I lightened the area with the owls a bit but did not want to go too far and make it look unnatural.

All input very much appreciated. Always trying to get better.

Technical Details

Nikon Z8 Nikon 180-600 at 600 (DX Mode) so a bit over 800.

1/2500 F6.3 ISO 900

Description

This great horned owl had a ton of attention this spring at a nearby park. Lots of photographers camped under the tree as it was just off the path. Sadly one of the eaglets fell out and was rescued. I heard the nest itself completely fell out with Mom and the second owlet shortly after. An expert came in and installed a wicker basket as the nest was way too small to start with. Mom and the two owlets are back inside and doing well. Good news for the owls.

1 Like
2

Very good, Andrew. The action makes this a very special image, and if you have the pixels available, I think a tighter crop would show it off better. If you’re short of pixels, you could try upsizing the original image and see if that allows you to crop more tightly. I’m thinking something like this:

Andrew-Great Horned Owl NPN copy
Andrew-Great Horned Owl NPN copy936×660 773 KB

A small very soft brush with a touch of exposure boost right at the joining of the two beaks might also be a plus.

3

That is perfect. I have plenty of room to crop. Appreciate the input.

Someone replied to your post.

| Dennis Plank Birds and Non-Nature Moderator
April 8 |

  • | - |

Very good, Andrew. The action makes this a very special image, and if you have the pixels available, I think a tighter crop would show it off better. If you’re short of pixels, you could try upsizing the original image and see if that allows you to crop more tightly. I’m thinking something like this:

Andrew-Great Horned Owl NPN copy

A small very soft brush with a touch of exposure boost right at the joining of the two beaks might also be a plus.

4

Great Horned Owl Repost NPN
Great Horned Owl Repost NPN1250×923 1.44 MB

Big thank you to Dennis for his comments. I like the repost much better

5

The tighter crop works well, Andrew, to focus attention on the interaction between parent and chick. Good detail in the owl and the image shows how well camouflaged it is. Excellent work in getting this shot. Your patience paid off.