Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: Moira on February 14, 2010, 08:15:30 PM

Title: Snowy Owl
Post by: Moira on February 14, 2010, 08:15:30 PM

After checking reported locations several times, I finally saw 2 snowy owls today.  I'm a little disappointed in the picture results, but they don't let you get too close.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4357348609_d5f654878c_b.jpg)

Title:
Post by: Anonymous on February 14, 2010, 08:20:48 PM

Not a bad shot at all Moira, well done.

Title:
Post by: skyviewer on February 14, 2010, 08:37:39 PM

Thats a nice pic Moira.  Especially the fact that he is on a nice perch and not a dock or hydro line.  You have been doing some great posts lately.

Title:
Post by: denis on February 14, 2010, 09:17:09 PM

great shot moira.
the large mega pixel sensor on that 50-d,lets you crop considerably,and still retain decent image quality.
well done.
tip: run it through a noise reduction program,like i showed you,to get rid of the noise artifacts.try the free neat image demo. works great.

Title:
Post by: Moira on February 15, 2010, 11:17:28 AM

Thanks for the comments.  I will try the noise reduction Denis - thanks.

Title:
Post by: mr.sharp-photo on February 15, 2010, 12:08:33 PM

we should have a photoshop community here or something. like, tips to help with post-processing.

all of us could use tips.

Moira, you may want to increase the black levels by 1-2 settings. it would make the picture more punchy and stand out.

another tip - you use Sharpening as your final step?

Title:
Post by: denis on February 15, 2010, 07:14:56 PM

great idea richard!
we could get robin to run it! LOL.
seriously it would help everyone,if we all passed along tips,and tricks we,ve accumulated along the way.

Title:
Post by: Moira on February 15, 2010, 09:11:56 PM

Yogi & Denis:  I really do appreciate the tips you share with me, but I have to be honest and say that I'm not even at the level to make use of the tips (did I say that out loud?)  I am looking into a course at Durham College, as well as Henry's 3 hour mini-course.  I only know how to convert my raw images to get them posted and that's thanks to one of the guys on another forum, who came to the house and showed me.  I need some help 911.

Title:
Post by: denis on February 16, 2010, 12:28:03 PM

moira.
there are tons of free tutorials on you-tube,on pretty much all aspects of photoshop.also there are on-line courses,which you could do right at home on your p.c.
i,m seriously comtemplating taking some,to expand my usage in different areas,especially,layers,and masks.photoshop,is a very intimidating program when starting out.

Title:
Post by: Scott on February 18, 2010, 12:00:32 AM

Congrats on the Snowy Moira.  I would recommend Scott Kelby's book on Photoshop as being the easiest to follow along with and then Martin Evening's book on Photoshop which is also very good.

Title:
Post by: Moira on February 18, 2010, 03:37:22 PM

Thanks for the recommendations Scott.  I hope to hit Chapters on the weekend (only if it's not sunny!)

Title:
Post by: Moira on February 18, 2010, 03:50:26 PM

Yogi, Denis and others :  I would definitely be interested in discussing this further (keeping in mind I don't have the expertise to offer guidance :)  Maybe we could post pictures requesting critiques in our "Equipment & Techniques" or "Nature Photobug" sections - everyone could pick up tips from the critiques.  As long as people were gentle and provided constructive advice it would be helpful I'm sure to lots of us.  Any thoughts?

Title:
Post by: denis on February 18, 2010, 04:49:41 PM

great idea moira.
by the way the best on-line course,is also by SCOTT KELBY. he,s apparently easy to follow.