The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
While photographing with fellow NPN member Steve Kennedy in Skagit Valley, Washington, I captured this short-eared owl in flight during the late evening as it hunted over the grasslands. Short-eared owls are a seasonal presence in the area, often found in open country, marshes, and expansive fields. In Western Washington, locations such as Skagit Valley and the Samish Flats provide ideal winter habitat.
The dry grasses and distant mountains in the frame reflect the landscape these owls depend on. My goal was to photograph the owl in motion while preserving a sense of the open habitat where it lives and hunts.
Specific Feedback
Is your eye drawn to the owl in the photograph or lost as a result of too much emphasis on the habitat re: maybe the grass is too light in color and should be darkened? Is there a crop that puts more focus on the own but yet maintains the habitat?
Technical Details
Sony Alpha 7CR
Sony 200-600 mm lens with 2x Extender
ISO 4000
404 mm
1/3200 sec @ f/13
Critique Template
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This is a really tough shot to get. Kudos for getting it! The foreground is sharper and the owl is slightly out of focus, but I think it is what it is. You captured a moment in time that maybe can’t be improved a whole lot. Some shots are just like that. Of course you can always try, but you may spend a lot of time and for not much reward. The photo as a whole tells the story for me - an owl hunting in its beautiful grassland territory.
First of all, Stephen, I envy you getting this shot. I love finding owls. This is a good environmental/nature shot showing the owl in its hunting ground. On one hand the owl is nicely camouflaged with the background, but I would also like a bit more contrast to let the owl pop more. Also, there’s a white bar just above the owl that draws the eye.
Hi Stephen, really nice environmental capture of this owl on the hunt scene. Love the various layers you show here from the grasses to the mountain. Well done. The bird is well placed in the frame. I could see darkening the highlights and mid tones a bit. Nice image.
As others have noted, Stephen, this is quite a nice environmental image (most shots of this species seem to be that way). The owl seems a bit bright. Someone mentioned the white bar over the owl, but I think that’s just the tip of the far wing. The Skagit in winter is a great place to shoot. It’s been quite a few years and I need to get back there.
Removed the white bar over the owl - it was a building in the distance. Thanks to spotting this.
Darkened the highlights and midtones a bit.
Made adjustments to the brightness of the owl which subsequently brought out more detail. I thought is was a bit bright as well. The sun was behind me and was directly shining on the bird.
Looked into the sharpness of the bird. The eye and face is super sharp. The features on these birds on the body are more like “fur” - very soft. I do think by taking down the highlights, it brought more detail.
Here is an edited photo and a few more taken that day.
Thank you. There are a few perches out there and the owls were taking advantage of them. Got a few Eagle photos but nothing in flight. The Eagles were active in the morning and scare in the afternoon. Owls were scarce in the morning and active in the late afternoon. Making a day of it all within a half a mile. Hunting season should be over soon and my plan is to go back in the coming weeks. I heard there are more Eagles late Jan/early Feb.
The edits you presented are huge improvements from the original image. I usually like environmental shots, but I found the background competing with the subject, even though it is blurred. Also, the bird was hidden somewhat by the horizon. Bravo.
