Alicia Plevell  


Spring Eagle by Alicia Plevell

May 2019 - Spring Eagle

May 2019 - Alicia Plevell

Original

About the Image(s)

Nikon D750
Focal length: 300mm
1/1000 sec, f/5.6 ISO 200 (Manual settings with Auto ISO)
Subject: Eagle Model

During the lunch hour at an annual Twin Cities Photographer’s Spring Break Event, we were given a change to photograph raptors. This eagle was injured and lives at the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. The photo was taken in March of this year. It was very cold (below freezing) and windy. We were dressed for the weather, but it was difficult to stay outside for longer than 10 minutes. Moreover, there over 30 photographers lined up trying to get a good shot.

I used Lightroom to crop the image and started with basic exposure corrections. Then, I used the Clarity Topaz plugin to bring out detail in the highlights. I used the B&W Effects2 Topaz plugin to convert the image to monochrome


This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted




Pamela Hoaglund   Pamela Hoaglund
(Groups 51 & 52)
Very sharp detailed image of the eagle. I like your cropping and the background is nicely blurred to not distract from the main subject. This really works in black and white. Nicely done.   Posted: 05/09/2019 17:45:02



Arne Skinlo   Arne Skinlo
(Group 36)
I like all the choices you have made here, Alicia. I also like to use auto ISO in situations like this. Very sharp and crisp even with rather heavy cropping.

If I should give any advice on improvement, it would be to remove the white branches in front of the bird, that I find a bit distracting.   Posted: 05/13/2019 02:02:29
 
Hi, how would you remove it? would you cut out the eagle and put in on a different background?
thanks   Posted: 05/13/2019 14:46:24



Arne Skinlo   Arne Skinlo
(Group 36)
Hi Alicia. I was thinking of using the Clone Stamp tool, or Content Aware in Photoshop. Just a minor adjustment. These are very useful and easy to use tools. If you have not used them, I would suggest going to Youtube to find out.   Posted: 05/15/2019 15:31:32
 
Hi Arne, I'm familiar with both tools. would you the section above the bird to clone the left side of the image?
thanks.   Posted: 05/18/2019 11:52:21



 
Nicely cropped, really sharp image of this bird. I like the monochrome much better than the color original. The background's a bit distracting but Arne's suggestion might help.   Posted: 05/18/2019 11:48:34



Arne Skinlo   Arne Skinlo
(Group 36)
I tried first with Content-Aware that did not work out well. Then I used the Clone-Stamp tool that did the trick with about 60% opacity.   Posted: 05/19/2019 12:58:22
Comment Image



 
Thank you. I hadn't noticed the dark "line" in from the top left corner until you removed some of the branches.   Posted: 05/20/2019 16:34:37



 
Great shot and crop !
Just wondering whether it would make the white feather of the head stand out more if the background above are darkened a bit ?
It would be very easy to do in Lightroom with adjustment brush.
After selecting the area with the adjustment brush, I would decrease clarity so the the background become even more blurry too.   Posted: 05/30/2019 12:14:03