This is why we practice. Sorry Coach Perry

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KCPhoto

KCPhoto

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Although I do like how this image shows the day's weather somewhat, I look at it with some ire that it was foggy. Maybe 100 yards visibility at the time of this capture. That is not my main feeling of regret though. My entire goal was to get the take-off shot nailed. I should be flogged by anyone who has ever read Secrets to Stunning Wildlife or watched Steve's 2-hour video presentation on the subject. Based on wing position, talons hanging, and proximity to the original snow-covered perch, this is by far my best shot of an owl take off to date. Other than the hazy, foggy conditions it is EXACTLY what I was after. I knew as I sat there I had just the right perch, and the best settings I could come up with for the terrible dull conditions. I had even thought of being at 300 or so vs 500mm so I wouldn't accidentally clip wings vertically. Unfortunately, I failed to anticipate the space to the right needed to frame the composition, once the owl took flight. I was actually snapping portraits at the time (a mistake, since not the goal) and had simply centered my subject. As you can see....a complete compositional fail on what I think is an excellent frame.

But, this is what practice is for. I will not whine and complain about what could have been with this image. However, I will remember to kick myself repeatedly as I see this shot, and thinking how to be better prepared next time at seeing the capture in my head before I take it.

I know with the uniform sky, I can add to the right in Photoshop but have not messed with doing that as I still have the fogginess and such being a bit much.

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Well KC...I think your image is a fabulous and fortuitous capture and do feel your pain on how it coulda, woulda, shoulda been better. All that said, what a beautiful bird! If you're a LightRoom user you could try the judicious application of Clarity and Dehaze under the Presence panel under the Basic Develop module. This might help build some contrast and color in your shot. Good luck and happy trails!
 
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Thank you so much I DO like the image... Just hate the could been that was in my head.

I did briefly play with this image from the aspect of haze removal. I assume it is due to the ISO it was l shot at, therfore it just becomes odd and unrealistic very quickly. See below. I didn't like the outcome so I quit before really messing with the oversat the process added.
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Ado Wolf said:
Lovely capture, and it does put the viewer in that mystique moment.
It is creative and it doesn't always have to be "best lighting, best color, etc."

Did you try seeing it in Black and White? just a thought :)
Click to expand...
I haven't had a chance to sit down with the image and give it my best PP effort. I thought about a contrasty black and white. Maybe I will play this weekend.
Ziggy said:
PS allows canvas extension so as to improve the composition.
A free option is Faststone Image Viewer though it's a little buggy.
Click to expand...

Yes, I do use that sometimes if I feel I need a little bit more room. I am not a huge fan of adding/manipulating large sections into a photo. But for something like adding headroom or getting a hoof a little more grass around it, do it semi often.
 
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Know that rules say that the subject should not be on it's way out of the image, but why care that much about rules? Think you have a fine image at first, but need some de-hazing. If you don't like that it is flying out, the image can be cropped to center the bird. In my opinion it will be better than extending the canvas and cloning in sky.
 
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Only you know what you wanted. If this photo was not it, the photo became a learning experience. The important thing is that you learn. Of course there are ways to adjust the canvas and to change the composition and these editing techniques are good to know, but I say again, what you learned is more important than editing.
 
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I would agree with the rule of composition where you want the subject looking into the frame for most situations. This would be the case when the bird is perched or majestically soaring thru the air. There are however times when the bird is taking flight (like this case) when it’s exiting the frame better expresses the emotion of the bird, as in “I want to get away from here”.
 
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Actually, looking at the image, the diagonal branch is a "leading line', directing the eye to the subject...that majestic owl. eliminating much of the "Clutter" on the left side, as in the second attempt, improves the image greatly, in my never-humble opinion. Magnificent photo!(y)
 
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Flyboy said:
Actually, looking at the image, the diagonal branch is a "leading line', directing the eye to the subject...that majestic owl. eliminating much of the "Clutter" on the left side, as in the second attempt, improves the image greatly, in my never-humble opinion. Magnificent photo!(y)
Click to expand...
Thank you. It has grown on me for sure. I did a black and white as suggested above and it worked really well actually.
 
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I think its a great shot and I like the composition. The snowy tree is an important part of the photo. I think your cropped version is in no way better .👍👍👍👍👍
 
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With the tree the haze makes sense - winter conditions with a lot of moisture in the air. Take away the tree and the haze is more distracting. I much prefer the original uncropped version but either way it's a wonderful photograph!
 
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