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The Patriot (88)
scottevers7
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2431 W: 3 N: 3882]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (12267) | Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus
This birds name is Patriot
OK, I know there have been alot of great Bald Eagle shots posted here, but I just wanted to post this one I took today. I was pretty happy with the results. I will skip all the scientific stuff and just explain how I got the shot.
This was a captive eagle that was on display inside at the Great River Museum, Alton, Illinois. The museum is at the lock and dam on the Mississippi River. This is a prime eagle nesting and feeding area in the winter. The eagles come down from up north to feed in the open water. The river does not freeze shut here due to the river traffic thru the lock and dam. Today, I counted about 15 in the trees in the area. To far to reach with my camera, :( but enjoyable to watch them soar in the skies :)
This was shot indoors in a conference room with horrible florescent lighting that was dim. No room for tripod, and he was on a perch at ground level. So I got down below eye level and used a blue colored dry erase board on the wall as a backround. I had to boost ISO to 800, and I thank my lucky stars I have an image stabalized lens. I used direct flash set to -2/3 exposure to give it natural looking light. Since it was shot in RAW format, I was able to further adjust the color tremperature to correct any blue cast. The usual adjustments in photoshop to levels and curves. A slight +8 to Saturation on the Yellow Channel to make his beak look better. Smart sharpening, and then a trip thru Neat Image Pro to reduce the noise. A few more sharpening tweaks, and then sized for posting.
Check the workshop posting of the intimidating stare he gave me when I first started. I like this pose slightly better, but I think that one is really spooky.
Thanks,
Scott |
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| Altered Image #2
scottevers7
(12267)
USM
Edited by:aido
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-n.gif) (4046) |
Hi Scott,
I thought the eye and feather detail were a little soft, so I used USM at 230%, 0.3 pixel radius, threshold 0. I also used the blur tool at 25% strength to smooth over some pixelation on the beak (which USM had emphasised). Hope you don't mind the workshop. |
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| Altered Image #1
scottevers7
(12267)
Head on POV
Edited by:scottevers7
(12267) |
| A very intimidating stare! |
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