An interesting thing about the Harris’s Hawk is that they hunt in packs.
This photo was taken at a falconry show at Leeds Castle. For these birds, having a connection with a larger group makes hunting easier. I thinking blogging is similar, it’s more rewarding when you are part of a larger community. Just this past week I published my 500th post. I started this blog with the idea of using it as a journal. It was be a way for me to keep track of my photography journey; specifically I wanted to write about how I was editing photos. It’s been a good way to keep track of what I’ve tried and what has or hasn’t worked. What I wasn’t really counting on when I began blogging was the visitors to my site, many of them bloggers themselves. They would leave a comment or like a post which would lead me to look at and comment on their work. It’s been a conversation that has improved my work, helped me think more critically about my editing process. Also, I’ve seen other people at work in their photography in ways that I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t a part of this blogging community.
When I took this photo, I knew there would be some work to be done before it was finished. The photo was taken under really harsh lighting conditions. I was glad that I had my Canon 50D with me, which meant that I could shoot in RAW. Basically, I knew the detail I would want to see in the final edit would be available in the RAW file, even if I couldn’t see it here in the original photo:
The first Photoshop edit I made was to work with the highlights and shadows. I knew I wanted to bring out more details in the wings and that was a way to start. I also did a slight levels adjustment and then some sharpening. Sometimes, I start my editing with cropping, but in this case I left it to the end. The crop wasn’t extreme, but I do think it made the composition more interesting.
How do you like the final editing outcome? They are beautiful birds aren’t they? Feel free to leave a comment below. I’d also like to take a moment to thank all my readers over the past few years, I appreciate what you have added to my photographic journey.
Cheers!
These are stunning!
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Thank you very much 🙂
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Very cool! great shot! 🙂
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Thanks, it was neat to see them this close.
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Congratulations for 500 posts! The birds are beautiful. It is sometimes surprising how much detail in captured in the RAW. I have earned a lot from looking at the photos from other bloggers. Glad you are part of the community.
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Thank you very much. It is amazing sometimes, the difference between RAW and JPEG. I’ve enjoyed my visits to your blog as well 🙂
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The original photo was a cool image! The clarity is great after the edits.
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Thanks, it was a neat show, fun to watch the two birds interacting.
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Nice job. Congrats on the 500th.
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Thank you!
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Nice when you hear from a fellow photographer/blogger. Good close-up.
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Thank you, and I agree, it has been nice to interact with folks here.
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These photos are nothing short of majestic !!
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Thank you very much!
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You’re most welcome 🙂
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Impressive editing! And what handsome birds!
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Thank you, and I really think they are something!
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Nice post-processing, Amy. You really brought out the details in the wings. Great shot!
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Thank you, I have always loved the details that are in bird’s wings.
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