Howell Nature Center
Howell Nature Center
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Awards
Contender in the Photography Awards
Contest Finalist in Green Eyes Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Beautiful Owls Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 49
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Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Jaw Dropping
Exceptional Contrast
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Nikonover
February 25, 2015
Brilliant,the clarity is excellent,and the detail in the eye is superb,love your work.
davidisaacyoung
July 28, 2017
Incredible shot. I'm amazed at how detailed the eye and the area around it are. Superb
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the Howell Nature Center in Howell, Michigan.Time
Professional nature photographer Steve Gettle had put on a workshop for photographers late in the morning of the day of the photo.This photo was probably taken around 1:00 pm.Lighting
We were lucky as it was a mostly overcast mid-October day, so the natural lighting was perfect for outdoor photography. The diffused light made the colors more vivid. As long as you didn't need sky in your photos as that was mostly just gray, it was a near perfect day for nature photography.Equipment
The photo was taken with a Canon 5D Mark II camera; Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens; carbon fiber tripod with ball head, and a circular polarizer. I also had a speedlight flash for fill light when needed.Inspiration
Following Steve Gettle's workshop on nature photography, about 40 photographers from beginners to professionals were let loose on the grounds of the Howell Nature Center. The owl was not easy to spot as he blended in well with the tree. I was able to get several shots of him and this was the one I liked the best. When I got home and saw it large sized on the computer I was amazed at the clarity of the image. The detail of the feathers, especially around the eyes, is super. The camera settings were: f5.6, ISO 200, 1/400 sec, 400 mm. The grounds of the nature center are beautiful and a perfect setting for nature/wildlife photography.Editing
I always shoot in RAW and use LightRoom for post processing. The lighting was so good, it needed very little post-processing. The combination of a Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens almost always give sharp, vibrant results. It was mostly a small amount of of contrast, clarity, and vibrance/saturation adjustments.In my camera bag
A few years ago I upgraded my camera to a Canon 5DS R for the high resolution it gives you. I sold the 5D Mark II and bought a used 5D Mark III for my backup as it has great low light capabilities. I also upgraded my main wild life lens to the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L II. I have Canon L-series lenses in 17-40 mm and 24-105 mm and I have a Canon 2X teleconverter so I can go from 17mm to 800mm. I now have a really good Gitzo carbon fiber tripod with one of 3 types of heads - ball, 3-way pan, or a gimbal type head - depending on the type of shooting I'll be doing. I have many filters, but mostly use either a circular polarizer or an ND filter. Also spare batteries and SD and CF cards. A remote wireless shutter release is invaluable in getting sharp photos.Feedback
Know your camera and how to use it's settings. I mostly shoot in Aperture Mode although lately I've been using Manual mode more often. Be patient, and be very aware of the background as that can make or break a successful photo. I am pretty much a self-taught photographer. With today's technology, the learning curve is a lot faster and easier than in the film days. I'm always on the Internet reading photography articles and watching videos on photography. Mostly, to improve your photography skills, get out and practice as much as possible.