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Male Northern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium californicum)
Male Northern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium californicum)
Dr.Confuser


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: At the Zoo (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
Location: Seattle -- Woodland Park Zoo
Date: Jul 13, 2005
Aperture: F/6.7
ISO: 800
Shutter: 1/2000
Galleries: Animals, Macro
Date Uploaded: Jul 15, 2005

 Photographer’s Notes
I went to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo yesterday afternoon. Like many great zoos, they have a “Raptor Show” where they fly hawks, owls, et al. I got a number of very nice shots but I was most taken with this Pygmy Owl.
I intentionally left the gloved hand in the frame for scale and to reinforce that this was a zoo animal.
I may get some complaints about grain. I used ISO 800 to force my shutter speed. These little guys won’t stand still for anything and I chose to freeze the movement with 1/2000 shutter spead. Sorry about the grain but it was a compromise I felt I had to make.

Post Processing
Reduce Noise (Neat Image)
Sharpen (Lab color method w/ CS2 Smart Sharpen)
Auto Levels
Auto Contrast
Auto Color
Select Background
Save Selection (Background)
Invert Selection
Save Selection (Owl & Glove)
Copy & Paste to New Layer
Hue/Saturation (+20)
Opacity (90%)
Load Selection (Background)
Copy & Paste to New Layer
Hue/Saturation (15)
Opacity (90%)
Brightness (+28) / Contrast
Reduce Noise (Neat Image)
Select Owl Layer
Select Glove
Save Selection (Glove)
Hue / Saturation (-20)
Crop
Resize (Bicubic Sharper)
Clone out distracting specs
Save for Web

Camera Data
Nikon D70
2005/07/13 14:47:19
JPEG (8-bit) Fine
Image Size: Large (3008 x 2000)
Lens: VR 70-200mm F/2.8 G
Focal Length: 200mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
1/2000 sec - F/6.7
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 800
Optimize Image: Vivid
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Color Mode: Mode IIIa (sRGB)
Tone Comp: Auto
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Normal
Sharpening: Auto
Image Comment:
Noise Reduction: OFF

Statistics
Place: 10 out of 198
Avg (all users): 6.7692
Avg (commenters): 8.1000
Avg (participants): 6.6102
Avg (non-participants): 6.9310
Views since voting: 5798
Views during voting: 353
Votes: 234
Comments: 30
Favorites: 6 (view)

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AuthorThread
 09/04/2011 07:48:58 AM
I don't see grain either, great image, I love how small the owl is and how gnarled and thick the glove is.
Something captivating in his eyes and posture. Don't let his size fool you! This bird is a Killer! Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2008 06:15:21 PM
Beautiful shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2007 08:53:59 PM
grain? I don't see no stinkin grain....LOL
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/28/2005 03:53:11 PM
Even looking closely I can't see the grain. Am I missing something?
Fantastic shot by the way.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/25/2005 10:50:58 AM
Gorgeous image with perfect clarity. Congratulations on a great Top 10 finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/25/2005 08:15:04 AM
what grain?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/25/2005 02:52:01 AM
Woodland park zoo is cool isn't it! Nice crisp shot, love the glove which could be in the texture challenge as well. Well done Chuck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/25/2005 12:27:01 AM
Charles: This is cool image skillfully captured. It warms my heart. Congratulations on your top Ten finish!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/25/2005 12:16:30 AM
Great job Chuck! Beautiful shot and the exposure is 'just right". : )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/24/2005 11:54:45 PM
Wow! This is awesome. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/24/2005 11:47:18 PM
Great detail, and the light works too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/24/2005 10:05:09 PM
Never seen a pigmy owl. Really neat shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/24/2005 07:29:04 PM
Cute bird, nice background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/24/2005 07:24:46 PM
Returning for comments:
A capture that deserves another bump. total score 8!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/22/2005 02:05:24 PM
beautifully composed and focused. background is perfectly non-distracting. colors are right on. this could have worked int the textures challenge as well. good work! bumping up
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/22/2005 11:13:23 AM
Gorgeous shot, beautiful DOF making the owl stand out nicely from the background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2005 06:24:46 PM
A wonderful sharp image of this little owl with a beautiful plumage!
Very nice! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2005 04:27:03 PM
I like the color, lighting and textures in this. The glove would be great in the "textures" challenge! Excellent job. I rated this quite high.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2005 11:59:53 AM
Nice use of the glove to provide a sense of scale to the photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2005 10:33:57 AM
Really good shot of the little guy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/19/2005 08:48:21 AM
amazing, i really like it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2005 09:11:07 PM
Fit Challenge Criteria: 2/2
Color/Contrast: 2/2
Composition: 2/2
Photo Quality: 2/2
My Subjective Affinity: 2/2

Perfect 10! I really like how you included the glove of the caretaker. It gives more insight in to the size of the owl. Exposure is excellent, and it is a very crisp photo. Excellent work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2005 02:17:23 PM
woowww so little!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2005 01:29:43 PM
Are you sure it isn't a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl? :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2005 11:40:34 AM
Very cool!!!! The detail on the bird is amazing, and I just love the perspective you get with him sitting on that glove. A super close-up shot would have left me thinking he was a normal sized bird, but this lets you see how tiny and delicate he is. Excellent job!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2005 10:38:31 AM
impressive little fellow, great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2005 07:54:30 AM
Since I am lacking in technical skills, I cannot give helpful comments. I am strictly a photo buff who is trying to improve, but as to telling you what is wrong or right, I am in no position to say. I am simply voting based on whether I like the picture or not. Sorry, maybe someday I will be able to give helpful advice
 07/18/2005 01:45:07 AM
Nice detail. Good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2005 01:33:06 AM
Stunning DOF & color. Really nice shot. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/18/2005 12:21:39 AM
great bokeh
nice exposure of highlights and shadows as well
7 from me
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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