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 feel getting this image with a catchlight was a win. I waited for the light to move across the nest.
She stayed in this position for at least an hour. Moved her head briefly for a few minutes but that was it.
Creative direction
I just wanted to capture this beautiful owl.
The camo on the owl does it job. I was looking at the tree knowing she was there but needed someone to point out the exact nest location. She blended in that well.
Specific Feedback
Overall thoughts. The nest is in the trees so I saw no reason to try to remove the background limbs. To me it shows where she is at.
Technical Details
Nikon Z8 Nikon 180-600 at 600mm 1/1000 F6.3 ISO 1250
Description
This particular owl is a star at the park she is in. Nothing is mentioned online where she is exactly which is good. i understand the male can be seen around the next at times as well.
The nest seems small. I believe the great horned owls takeover other birds nests. I have seen them nesting along the river in old Osprey nests that are huge compared to this nest.
Nice shot! I only see owls when my cameras at home lol. I don’t mind the decision to keep the bg limbs. The head and ears do look a bit out of focus to me though. They are super camo, selecting the background and darkening it just a bit to give some more contrast between it and the owl and inversely lightening the owl just a touch might help her pop off the screen more. Given where she was in the tree I feel like the composition is ok, you could shift her slightly left of center maybe? I’m not sure that would be the right choice but I’d try it, especially if you have some cropped out to work with unless its distracting.
Hi Andrew. I don’t have any problem with the background branches, though I could also see something of a squarish crop with the bright areas in the two lower corners eliminated by pulling in the sides. Maybe it’s my aging eyes, but something seems weird with the face of the owl. The whole bird seems nice and crisp except the beak and the side of the face away from us, which almost looks like there was a near foreground piece of vegetation you were shooting through. Really strange.
This species is one of those that uses other bird’s nests, hollows in trees, etc. One of the first I saw had a nest on top of an old, moss covered, shed roof at a wildlife refuge in Eastern Washington.
Very nice habitat shot, Andrew. I’m okay with the comp; I think it shows how well the owl is camouflaged from its surroundings.
I went back again today. She is still there with perhaps one owlet but the light was never great on her. Still fun to just watch her.
Someone replied to your post.
| Allen Brooks Valued Contributor
March 20 |
Very nice habitat shot, Andrew. I’m okay with the comp; I think it shows how well the owl is camouflaged from its surroundings.
I agree on the face too. I took several hundred and the focus on the head next to the tree just seemed off. Not from her movement as she never moved. The left side was OK. Saw her today and took many more images. Maybe I got a better one. Thanks for the input
Someone replied to your post.
| Dennis Plank Birds and Non-Nature Moderator
March 19 |
Hi Andrew. I don’t have any problem with the background branches, though I could also see something of a squarish crop with the bright areas in the two lower corners eliminated by pulling in the sides. Maybe it’s my aging eyes, but something seems weird with the face of the owl. The whole bird seems nice and crisp except the beak and the side of the face away from us, which almost looks like there was a near foreground piece of vegetation you were shooting through. Really strange.
This species is one of those that uses other bird’s nests, hollows in trees, etc. One of the first I saw had a nest on top of an old, moss covered, shed roof at a wildlife refuge in Eastern Washington.
