As every photographer knows, light angle can make or break an image. In static portrait shots especially, partial side lighting (at perhaps 45 degrees to your subject) emphasizes texture, patterns and shapes and helps to separate subject from background. It’s been said that side light “sculpts” your subject.
1/320, f/9, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
This young owl posed nicely for me just as the sun was coming up over the nearby Wasatch Mountains to the east. In fact it was so early (6:08 am) that light hadn’t yet reached the legs, tail and perch. The sun angle worked well with the pose, highlighting the face, wing and back and there’s still plenty of detail in the shaded areas.
However, side-lighting may be too severe for some subjects – especially birds with bright whites (or colors) in their plumage. In that situation it’s very easy to blow out the whites before you have enough exposure to get sufficient detail in the shadows. Some folks use fill flash to compensate. I don’t, for aesthetic and ethical reasons. Flash typically has an artificial look and I don’t like startling birds (especially owls) with flash.
I’ve cropped fairly tightly here to emphasize the effects of light and shadow on the bird and I was pleased that light hadn’t yet reached the less than ideal perch (though getting a Burrowing Owl well isolated on an elevated perch of any kind is usually an unexpected bonus).
I’m always somewhat amused when I get a good, close-up look at the bristle-like feathers on the feet and legs of many Burrowing Owls. But this diminutive, charismatic and often comical species has a habit of amusing me…
Ron
Burrowing owls are complete charmers – and I loved finding out about their hairy legs.
Thanks Ron, another most excellent start to my day. Which made me think – this young bird has improved the morning for people all over the world, starting with you and spreading…
That’s a nice thought, Elephant’s Child. Made me feel good…
Excellent technical advice! During this year’s breeding census, we were able to locate over three dozen Burrowing Owl nesting sites in central Florida. Better than expected. Hope to be able to document some young owls this spring!
Great news about your owls, Wally. We need all of them we can get.
Thank you all for the positive comments about this image. I’m delighted that you like it!
Beautiful picture! Seeing these delightful owls is high on my wish list.
SENSATIONAL! I had never noticed the furry looking legs before, but then I have only seen one once. Thanks for sharing Ron!
WOW !
What a great picture.
Len
Well done Sir !
Beautiful picture. I didn’t realize they had feathers on their legs.
Wonderful picture…beautiful detail on those “hairy” legs…I didn’t realize they were so ell covered. I love these birds because they always make me smile or laugh.
Wonderful picture ..with that special warm, morning light. A well earned result for getting up so early, Ron!
Perfect! Rembrandt would have a hard time believing he didn’t paint this masterpiece! Bravo!
~Tim
Very nice!