Kathleen Sewell
September 2023 - Rock On!
About the Image(s)
I attended a workshop in Alaska in March. The bald eagles were thrilling! There were many opportunities to shoot eagles scouting for fish or landing on trees and shoreline, even a few days in light snow which was magical. This image was taken when we happened across eagles flying and perching along a colorful rock cliff which I thought made for a unique backdrop, wings wide open!
Sony A-1, FE 72-200, f2.8 GM
ISO 3200
200mm
f/5.0
1/2000 sec
This round’s discussion is now closed!
14 comments posted
Picture does not look real! More like American Indian Art. Nicely Cropped. Posted: 09/02/2023 16:00:43
The detail is not ideal and the white head is a little blown out but I liked the 'American Indian' feel which you mentioned. Sometimes it's fun to try something a little different! :) Posted: 09/02/2023 21:14:55
Hi Kathleen, nice photo of the bald eagle. The red rock in the background is something other than always blue sky. However, it bothers me a bit that the white on the head and the tail feathers have no markings and are frayed. You should be able to get more out of the A1's sensor in post-processing. Posted: 09/04/2023 03:44:52
I appreciate your correct observation. I think I may have clipped the highlights a bit when taking the shot and also could have lowered the highlights/exposure more when I edited it. Always learning. :) Posted: 09/04/2023 18:54:53
Hi Kathleen, what a wonderful opportunity. I find the image is rather washed out. I have played with it in Lightroom, dropping the highlights and white and adding a bit of dehaze. Not sure if it's helped much, but just a thought. Although uploading it here, it seems to have added a hue around the head - probably enhanced it I think. Posted: 09/04/2023 04:56:26
Another version. Keep the detail of the bird and lowered the texture, clarity and brightness of the background to focus more on the Eagle. Posted: 09/04/2023 09:13:36
Wow, how creative! The background looks like soft pastels which creates a nice contrast with the eagle. So fun to learn a new way to edit an image! Posted: 09/04/2023 19:28:33
(Groups 9 & 21)
What a great capture of the eagle in its full glory, doesn't get any better. And with the verticals cliff as a backdrop make this a very interesting photo. I have no recommendations, except I think that the modifications made by both Kathie and Roy do seem to create some separation between the eagle and background. Posted: 09/04/2023 16:00:07
Thank you Jim! And I agree that both Kathie and Roy's variations created nice separation and vibrance. Posted: 09/04/2023 19:33:34
(Groups 9 & 20)
I bet that was a fun workshop.
I agree that it looks like American Indian Art. Posted: 09/05/2023 07:12:59
I agree that it looks like American Indian Art. Posted: 09/05/2023 07:12:59
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Kathleen, this is a unique stunning image! As others has mentioned, I wish there was more detail in the head, neck and tail. I like what Roy did with the hot spots on the eagle but darkening does not get detail. Your background rock cliff is amazing. Posted: 09/19/2023 19:24:09
Hi Tom ~
Thank you so much for your nice comment! I too would like more detail in the head. I'm always learning and appreciate the helpful feedback. :) Posted: 09/20/2023 19:29:13
Thank you so much for your nice comment! I too would like more detail in the head. I'm always learning and appreciate the helpful feedback. :) Posted: 09/20/2023 19:29:13
This is a great capture of the eagle in flight - he is just perfectly posed. I like the more muted background so it doesn't take away from that beautiful eagle. I would see if you can work on the head in post-processing and try to get some more detail. Beautiful capture. Posted: 09/24/2023 16:39:41
Thank you Julia. I lost some of the detail in the capture but was able to draw a little more out with lowering the highlights. I must go back to Alaska and do it again! :) Posted: 09/27/2023 22:01:11