Connection

An interesting thing about the Harris’s Hawk is that they hunt in packs.

ISO 50mm f/5.6 1/1000

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:

ISO 50mm f/5.6 1/1000

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!