Barn Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted July 26, 2015154 views12 comments

I've photographed over twenty species of owls around the world, but I didn't get my first barn owl--perhaps the world's most widespread species--until earlier this year during a bobcat-oriented trip in California.

Unfortunately, it was hidden way up above the road in this cliff face, which was severely backlit. I opted for a bit of an extreme monochrome conversion in order to introduce better contrast and also to enhance the texture and lines of the rocks. I'm curious what you guys think.

Canon 7DII
Canon 500mm + 1.4x
ISO 800
1/400th
f/5.6
(Larger version available for viewing via the print link)

Max

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on July 26, 2015 at 12:59 PM

I like it a lot Max. Very creative and quite impactful. The contrast you achieved showcases the owl even though the subject is small in frame. Very well conceived and executed. devil

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on July 26, 2015 at 1:28 PM

Wonderful in black and white love ths textures and the composition is outstanding, well done! Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 26, 2015 at 6:58 PM

That's quite a barn surrounding this owl, Max. Looks great in b&w and the darkness surrounding the owl gives it a fine presence while the textures in the rocks add lots of interest.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on July 27, 2015 at 4:49 AM

I wouldn't have thought about doing this in b&w but it's very effective especially enhancing the texture of the rocks. The distant shot works well looking very natural in it's habitat. graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 27, 2015 at 11:12 AM

The monochrome works very well with this rocky cliff face, the great textures add to the overall image impact.

I agree with Mark, the dark shadows surrounding your owl help make it a standout also..

Well done Max devil

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 27, 2015 at 11:36 AM

The composition works for me, Ray as does the B&W treatment. Lots of really cool textures here.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on July 27, 2015 at 1:09 PM

Thanks all for your feedback. I never would have expected to find my first barn owl in this particular setting, but given the circumstances, I was more than happy to get what I could. Hopefully the next one will be a little closer. enlightened

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on July 27, 2015 at 2:46 PM

Hi Max

I like the monochrme look, but wish the lager version was posted here.

Peter

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on July 27, 2015 at 6:31 PM

I really like this Max. Nice job saving this one. I really enjoy the rugged habitat with the little dark cave framing the owl.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 27, 2015 at 7:07 PM

I like this one a lot Max. A very pleasing compostion you created here. This monchrome version works extremly well.

A Beauty!!!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on July 28, 2015 at 9:07 PM

Very cool, Max. laugh Great composition.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 29, 2015 at 9:59 PM

Max, I really am digging this monochrome look and LOVE the texture and lines in the rock. I am wondering though how this might look as an 8x10 vertical? For me, the lines on the left compete a little with the subject and keep pulling my eye from the owl.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments