John Hackett
About the Image(s)
Taken at a bird of prey centre. All I did to the image was treat it to the 'Topaz Spicify' filter
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
Peter Elliston
A very penetrating stare on this bird! So your title is very apt. I'm not sure what the Topaz filter you've used does to an image but there is a kind of strange effect produced almost as if it has distorted both the background and the bird - or is it just my eyesight playing tricks? The bird is well framed and the colours are good but i find the background tends to dominate somewhat. Sorry John if this sounds negative - it's not meant to be. Taking images of birds of prey is not easy even if in captivity.   Posted: 05/05/2021 04:24:41
Joe Kennedy
(Group 28)
(Group 28)
John, this is a great image of this bird of prey! The colors and detail within the bird are spot-on. I'm with Peter on the background, it is as dominant as the main subject. Perhaps, tone down the saturation of the green?   Posted: 05/05/2021 07:24:55
Sheldon Wecker
I agree with Peter and Joe's comments about the bird (great image), and the background (a little distracting), but I think the greatest improvement opportunity is the eyes - so black they seem lifeless (and for me a little creepy). Hope you don't mind - I did a simple edit in Lightroom just using an adjustment brush to increase exposure. I think the eyes become more of a point of focus, and keep me from spending as much time looking at the background.   Posted: 05/05/2021 13:52:58
John Hackett
Thank you Sheldon and the others for your comments, I agree about the background, it is a bit overpowering. Also the way you have lightened the eyes works very well.
  Posted: 05/07/2021 04:39:31
  Posted: 05/07/2021 04:39:31
Joe Norcott
You seemed to be up close and personal with this bird. Really great opportunity to take a closeup photo. I like what Sheldon did to bring out more of the eye's detail, etc... As for the background it's not attracted my eye. The bird definitely did.   Posted: 05/07/2021 18:44:40
Stuart Caine
(Group 42)
(Group 42)
Glenn Rudd
Great image John. This "up and close" technique is my favorite for birds. I think Sheldon's re-work is an improvement, especially in the eyes which are the first thing a viewer looks at here. The feather detail is excellent in both texture and color.   Posted: 05/13/2021 09:29:27