Hawk attempt for some C&C

Time for some C&C.

This was my first attempt at some hawks near my home with my old 70-300 IS USM. Cropped the shape as these critters are quick, and were tough to keep in the centre! Did a little PP in Lightroom. Other than that, what you see is what I took.

Any tips would be appreciated and I've now moved to the100-400L so hope to take some more when the birds are kind enough to be around at the same time as me!

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

That's a nice action shot. I think it could be a little brighter though. Is it eating something or is that nesting material in its claw? If you'd like some takes on it, turn on image editing and I'll have a go.

I agree the lighting could be better, but you cant really pick your light when shooting this type subject. Overall I like it, its crisp, clear, the subject pops nice. Composition is good. I would try to photo shop it and make it a bit brighter.

SwingBopper wrote in post #6789856
Is it eating something or is that nesting material in its claw? If you'd like some takes on it, turn on image editing and I'll have a go.

Thanks. I'll turn on editing. And no, it's not nesting material. Believe it or not, an old Japanese couple toss the birds bits of chicken on a regular basis and when the hawks miss while on the wing, they swoop down but maybe 40% of the time miss the stationary tidbit awaiting their claws and just grab grass instead.

Must be a tough life if you can't hit a piece of dead chicken!!!

That's funny. These hawks need some training. Here's my take on it. Adjusted curves and sharpened. And thanks for checking with your friend about the 5D II.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

SwingBopper wrote in post #6790381
That's funny. These hawks need some training. Here's my take on it. Adjusted curves and sharpened. And thanks for checking with your friend about the 5D II.

Thanks for the tweaking, and you're welcome regarding the 5DMkII...
I think I'll have another go with the original image to see if I can lift it without losing the detail on top of the wings....

Later...

brighter shot is awesome

2nd attempt...I've tried not to blow out the detail on top of the bird's body.
What do you think?

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

I see what you mean about the detail in the highlights on top. I did blow them out in my edit but I think the shadow areas show better contrast. I'll try again later and mask off the highlights to see if that works any better.

What do you use for PP? Photoshop?

And here's version 3 with more contrast....

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

skygod44 wrote in post #6794788
And here's version 3 with more contrast....

I really like your first version and also think that the second one is very good WRT the lighting underneath the wings, but the top edges are a bit too hot in places. I think that I would prefer to see the image look more like the first one with the underside of the wings lightened slightly like the second version. However, I do not see a problem with the slight darkness of the first one.

Finally, I definitely do not like the third one. While it is probably OK from an artistic point of view, from a nature photography perspective, it isn't the type of treatment that should be given to an image. Check out the Bird forum here on POTN to see examples of what works and what doesn't. I think that you will find that first and foremost for serious bird photographers accuracy in photographs is of greatest importance. Next to that is sharpness and capturing excruciatingly fine details in an image. Heavy use of sharpening and strong tone curve adjustments will draw disapproving glances and murmuring from the onlookers.

Sky, I like your version 3. Yes I use Photoshop CS3. I've been away and haven't had time to tweak my image yet; but I read Bill's critique and I wonder what is wrong with your #3? I wonder if Bill hasn't confused #2 (my edit with heavy curves adjustment) and your image #3?

SwingBopper wrote in post #6796242
Sky, I like your version 3. Yes I use Photoshop CS3. I've been away and haven't had time to tweak my image yet; but I read Bill's critique and I wonder what is wrong with your #3? I wonder if Bill hasn't confused #2 (my edit with heavy curves adjustment) and your image #3?

It doesn't mean there is anything "wrong" with the image -- it is just my opinion.

In my judgment, there appears to have been a color shift towards a greenish color where the contrast has been increased and also it appears to me that the underneath side of the wings is somewhat darker than the first image which has caused a loss of some detail in the wing feathers. I think that the adjustment in #2 which lightened the underneath side of the wings gave a better rendition.

Other opinions may differ and I don't take offense if someone else's assessment of an image is different than mine. Occasionally, I have changed my mind based on other comments about an image if they bring up a pertinent point that I have overlooked.

bill boehme wrote in post #6795631
I really like your first version...

Thanks for that...well, to put this in perspective, the first shot is very close to all the colours being bang on (the building behind is correct, and so, I think, the bird too, as far as my eyesight can tell).
No adjustments in curves, except to lighten under the wings a little bit.
I'm going to have a look at the bird galleries to see what others do, and today, I took my 100-400 out and even got a (with permission) picture of the sweet ol' guy who tosses the chicken bits to the hawks!
So, more soon....

And thanks again for different opinions.