Golden Eye
A play on the James Bond movie "Golden Eye". This is a rescued Long Eared Owl named "Louis" that I photographed in Montana. The only post pr...
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A play on the James Bond movie "Golden Eye". This is a rescued Long Eared Owl named "Louis" that I photographed in Montana. The only post production I did was to crop it really tight to just focus on his eye since I thought the color was so gorgeous.
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Oct, 2015Views
3044
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Awards
People's Choice in A SINGLE Eye Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Love it
Magnificent Capture
Virtuoso
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 30 rank
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at an animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Kalispell, Montana.Time
It was a very hot summer week in July, so I was able to photograph this magnificent owl early in the morning so the animal could be relaxed and cool. Whenever I go to a new area, I try to go to a photography workshop because I know the guides and leader photographer will know the area better than me. We are able to have access to areas which may be restricted to the regular photographer. Plus, going with someone knowledgeable of the area allows me the maximum time to photograph whatever is my subject of the day. After my first visit to an area, if I return, I will not need a guide so I am more flexible in what I can do and where I can go.Lighting
The owl was brought into a beautiful enclosure filled with trees and great perching areas while providing security for the animal. There was very limited natural lighting and the rehabilitation facility did not permit the use of flash, so, my camera settings became very important. In a controlled environment, such as this opportunity, I have the luxury of playing around with different settings to see what I like the best. However, when you are out in the wild and animal sightings are rare, I take a few shots of the location to see what might be my starting settings. That way I can quickly adjust or fine tune in the seconds I have to capture the animal which just flew into my shot or who just breached out of the vast waters of an ocean.Equipment
When I go on a major shoot where I might not get to again, I usually rent my camera body and lens for the speed and functionality of a better, more expensive model than what I own. On this trip, I rented a Canon EOS 5D Mark III body and an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens for close up photography. I rarely use a tripod because I usually don't have time to adjust the tripod AND my camera settings when I may have only seconds to capture the image.Inspiration
My passion for photography is fueled by a mission statement I wrote, "Beauty is in the Details". I was drawn to this magnificent owls breathtaking eyes. I chose to photograph only half of the animal's face to give a fresh angle on capturing the shot. When I photograph animals, my main objective is to get the eye to be as clear and in focus as possible. I feel the eye is the path to the soul of an animal or a person. As in this photograph, one can see into the depth and richness of the owl because of the clarity of his eye. I feel very strongly to trying to make a difference in this world. My goal is to spread awareness of the beauty and fragility of our natural resources, including animals since they play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem of an area. If one of my images makes a person stop and notice a gorgeous animal or a beautiful area, then hopefully they might pause the next time they might litter or impact an ecosystem in a significant way and rethink their actions.Editing
My best work happens when I capture using my camera, not in a computer program where I can create something that wasn't what I saw. I usually do minor adjustments, such as cropping or brightness, etc., but I do not create an image using layers and plug-ins. Since I photograph wildlife and nature, I try to capture the moment when it happens, not when I am sitting at my desk. I think when one creates a new image using these programs, the end result is a disservice to the animal or environment. I don't have a concern if someone is photographing in a studio or at a family gathering because any changes can only enhance the end product. However, when I am trying to make someone be drawn to the reality of our world and how fragile it is, then making significant adjustments is not the right thing to do.In my camera bag
I usually have two camera bodies, two to three lens of varying sizes, weather protection gear for my equipment, many new CF cards, and as many fully charged batteries that I can fit. Everything else varies based upon the objective of my day.Feedback
The wonderful change digital photography has created from film is that you can DELETE! So, practice with different settings and even different lenses. Practice your panning skills if you are going to be photographing a moving animal. In this case, think about what message you want to convey and make necessary adjustments in your angle to the animal if you can. The number one priority when photographing animals or nature is the animal or the environment. You need to make sure to respect the animal's territory so as to not stress the animal. If you are photographing an area in nature, then be aware of your impact upon the immediate area and the surrounding areas. For example, if you want to photograph a specific species of fungi, but it will require you to trample the fragile ecosystem it lives in, then you need to change either your objective or how you are going to accomplish getting the shot. Utilize the principle of "Leave No Trace". The final tip for you today is to always have the right protective gear for both you and your equipment.
