Bald Eagle

[OldClicker]

Any thoughts on improving this? I've been working on it a while - had to 'mend' the feathers on the end of one wing and worked a lot with the light. How does the sharpening look?



Terry

[Liz]

On my screen, the sharpening looks just fine.

I know I'm supposed to "critique" this bird. However, the moment I saw it, it became one of those "this almost takes my breath away" beautiful images.

Let me just say that the composition is awe-inspiring. The position of the wings add to the beauty of the image. I could on, but the problems here won"t let me type without ah uge delay....UGH!

I cannot find anything to change or improve.

BEAUTIFUL!

Liz

[mattb]

Definitely a good shot and it looks very sharp as far as I can see at this size. I love the dynamic position and motion.
I think the only way this might be better to my eyes would be with more context which I know can be tough with wildlife and especially a bird. So as shot it's as good as it can be and that is very good.

[hminx]

This is a particularly well done shot Terry, you have a magnificent animal in a great pose, its not hard for the imagination to add its own context.
The sharpness is just about spot on, but I feel a minor nit pic is the exposure, it looks as though during post you lightened the shadows a tiny bit too much, either that or perhaps add a touch more contrast.
Its not hard to see why you should choose this bird as a national symbol.

[llewpics]

Great shot. I would suggest that there may be too many mid tones ...a little bit stronger shadow (blacks are fine) and highlights may work a wee bit better. That will get it from a 26 to 27. Nice. Gotta come with :-)

[armando_m]

wow! awesome image !

Agree with the comments about the exposure, it looks odd
The tail has a dark halo inside the feathers, probably result of increasing the exposure with a brush , if you used ACR or develop module in lightroom, maybe using auto-mask will help , otherwise zooming in ,and doing more careful work with the brush


The white feathers in the tail look brighter than the head, so I think the head can use a touch more whites

[CLKunst]

Terry-

This is a great shot thanks for sharing it!
My first thought was 'Oooh great shot, what happened to it's tail?' The cloning under the wing and on the tail looks over bright and too blue for the rest of the body - my eyes went right to it as soon as I opened the thread. I understand you want feedback on the edited image but I'm having trouble understanding what needed mending. Seeing what you are trying to correct would help, would you share the unedited original for comparison?

[OldClicker]

Terry-

This is a great shot thanks for sharing it!
My first thought was 'Oooh great shot, what happened to it's tail?' The cloning under the wing and on the tail looks over bright and too blue for the rest of the body - my eyes went right to it as soon as I opened the thread. I understand you want feedback on the edited image but I'm having trouble understanding what needed mending. Seeing what you are trying to correct would help, would you share the unedited original for comparison?

Here is the original along with the current iteration of processing. I'm getting PP on PP now and it will soon be time to start over. - Terry

[CLKunst]

OH!!! I see now! OK Your edit to repair the cropped wing is excellent! Sharp and appropriate it gives this shot the breathing room it needs in the frame. I thought repair had been done to the tail and the other wing! My suggestion for this shot is more in agreement with what llewpics and Pete and I think the exposure in that area has been pushed a bit too hard. I'd bring back some shadow to the body and tail to make it more realistic looking.

[Grandpaw]

Any thoughts on improving this? I've been working on it a while - had to 'mend' the feathers on the end of one wing and worked a lot with the light. How does the sharpening look?



Terry

Nice shot Terry!!!

[armando_m]

Excellent job reconstructing the wing !

the tail still doesn't look good, my opinion would be to stick to global adjustments, pull the shadows, some added contrast and clarity , that keeps the natural light and shadows.

[pawn]

Great shot! However, I am not sure how to explain this. The color does not look real. Perhaps, it is my eyes.

[GB1]

Terry - First of all, spectacular capture. If you could do this again I would say you're definitely on your way to nailing the tough world of fast-action photography, like this and sports.

I do like the shot, but I think what is off about it is the areas that should be darkish are too light. I suspect (w/o reading your previous comments) that you used a shadow recovery function/effect. I think it is alright to do that, but I would tone it down, at least 1/3 or 1/2 less than used, for it doesn't look real. Knowing how far to go w/ the tools is a big part of what we do, and I guess that's why we ask up here for feedback!

Hope this helps - GB

[jeshuster14]

I may not be an expert but it looks beautiful!

[Gregavi]

That's a once in a lifetime shot. Excellent!

[Lava Lamp]

I have taken many, many bird shots and it is hard to get one as good as your original. Like you, I would have taken a good bit of time to try to optimize it. I think your final is great, but seems overly "posterized." You have given up the shadows that define the shape and three dimensional contours for the sake of bringing out the detail.

[a11igat0r]

I personally like the original better (but thats just me). The other is nice too but looks a bit unnatural for my taste.

[shaddisi23]

The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of American, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.

[Gregavi]

Why "Bald" eagle? FYI: The name comes from an old English word — piebald — which meant “white headed” rather than hairless.