_DLS0551
Feb, 2016Views
3232
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 22
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Textures Around Us Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Beautiful Owls Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Textures In Animals Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Featured
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 22 Photo Contest
Spring Selection Award
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Love it
Superior Skill
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
TravelBugDove
June 19, 2016
Such a fantastic close-up capture! Congratulations on being featured! Congratulations on your awards too & well deserved!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
I stumbled across this beautiful creature at a local park in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It was just sitting there perched on the wall of the covered bridge.Time
It was a warm day at noon.Lighting
The sun was really bright and casting harsh shadows, but luckily for me this beauty was in the shade.Equipment
I hand held my Nikon D7000 and shot the owl at a 135mm focal length. I didn't want to spook it.Inspiration
I was already at the park to do some self portraits. I had no idea the owl was going to be there. It was just a matter of being at the right place at the right time and having my camera already with me. I fired off the photos with a zoom lens to take caution not to scare it away. I wasn't sure how long it was going to stick around. It actually hung around for a long time. I managed to even get as close as arms distance away from it. I was so amazed and just really enjoying the moment because I had never stumbled across an owl before and to be able to be so close to it. It's eyes were just mesmerizing.Editing
I did throw the image into Photoshop so that I could tweak the contrast and the colors a bit just to give it that extra depth and pop.In my camera bag
I always have a full heavy bag. I carry all the gear I own in it. My Nikon D7000, 18-55mm lens, 55-200mm lens, 50mm prime lens, 10-24mm wide angle lens, my little kit of macro lenses that get put on top of your lens, my Phottix Mitros Flash, my remote (very handy for those self portraits) handful of memory cards, and even my heavy 70-210mm lens that is actually for Nikon film cameras but still functions on my DSLR. I used this more before I purchased my 55-200mm lens.Feedback
The only advice I have is to always carry your camera because sometimes it's just a matter of coincidence. Sometimes it's just a matter of being at the right place at the right time. It's like a gift the universe gives you and you never know how long that gift is going to last so take the shot. Don't fumble around about changing lenses, just take the shot. If it stays longer than a moment then you can fuss with your lenses and worry about what gear you want to use.
