not sure about this one

[nicola]

had no chance to get a fuller shot as he jumped up and sat next to me and really had the wrong lens on, would be intereseted in your views, btw im tough I can take constructive critisim

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi Nicola

I think if you had turned the camera round into portrait format you'd have got a cracking close up.

neil

[glsammy]

Something like this perhaps:



Besides cropping it into portrait, I've also sharpened it, to make the contrast between the in focus and the out of focus all the more evident.
I've also darkened the out of focus background, using the highlights/shadow tool in CS2.

I've no idea if this is any better than your version Nicola, I'm not an artistic type!

[HowlinWolf]

The eyes, Nicola...the eyes! If something has eyes, it's always a good move to get them in focus. OK, it's a grab shot, and things can get a little frantic when something like this presents itself in front of your lens, but I always focus on the eyes as it's the first thing the viewers eye is drawn to. Consider how much more effective the image would have been with those dark eyes engaging you. Unfortunately, no amount of post processing can correct this.

HW

[nicola]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Something like this perhaps:



Besides cropping it into portrait, I've also sharpened it, to make the contrast between the in focus and the out of focus all the more evident.
I've also darkened the out of focus background, using the highlights/shadow tool in CS2.

I've no idea if this is any better than your version Nicola, I'm not an artistic type!

That does make it stand out more, I did wonder about cropping it tighter like that, definatly more effective

[nicola]

Originally Posted by HowlinWolf

The eyes, Nicola...the eyes! If something has eyes, it's always a good move to get them in focus. OK, it's a grab shot, and things can get a little frantic when something like this presents itself in front of your lens, but I always focus on the eyes as it's the first thing the viewers eye is drawn to. Consider how much more effective the image would have been with those dark eyes engaging you. Unfortunately, no amount of post processing can correct this.

HW

You are right of course, but he jumped up and sat next to me, so after the initial shock it was a grab shot, I will try and remain calmer next time

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by nicola

You are right of course, but he jumped up and sat next to me, so after the initial shock it was a grab shot, I will try and remain calmer next time

Like when the pigs start flying

Lovely shot

[WestLothian]

I like a challenge and "Unfortunately, no amount of post processing can correct this..." seemed like a challenge.



It takes selective resharpening and a bit of shadow burn and highlight dodge, but the dull eyes can be improved. Reinstating blurry fur and feathers is more of a challenge, but some can be improved by adding sharper noise and then using motion blur to give an impression of directional texture.

However ... it is nature photography not painting.

[Jon]

I think the suggestions have certainly improved the image which is not at all bad.
In my view the image would have been better if:
1) The whole of the head was incorporated - including the ears
2) The eyes in particular were pinsharp
3) The rest of the image was slightly blurred or out of focus

I appreciate this was a quick shot and it is not easy to be prepared because you do not know what sort of shot is necessarily going to be made available to you. As a general rule though if you want the subject to be sharp and not deliberately blurred - say for action ensure the eyes are sharp. Occasionally if you focus directly on the eyes the camera will hunt, so it is often a good idea to focus right between the eyes or immediately adjacent to them. This occurs especially when using one of the peripheral focus points as opposed to the central one. Sometimes when photographing a subject it is good to decide in advance just what you want to capture e.g. a close up study or a shot of the whole animal and then you will know which shutter speed or aperture to use having decided it is possible with the available light. Hope this helps
Jon

[nicola]

Originally Posted by Jon

I think the suggestions have certainly improved the image which is not at all bad.
In my view the image would have been better if:
1) The whole of the head was incorporated - including the ears
2) The eyes in particular were pinsharp
3) The rest of the image was slightly blurred or out of focus

I appreciate this was a quick shot and it is not easy to be prepared because you do not know what sort of shot is necessarily going to be made available to you. As a general rule though if you want the subject to be sharp and not deliberately blurred - say for action ensure the eyes are sharp. Occasionally if you focus directly on the eyes the camera will hunt, so it is often a good idea to focus right between the eyes or immediately adjacent to them. This occurs especially when using one of the peripheral focus points as opposed to the central one. Sometimes when photographing a subject it is good to decide in advance just what you want to capture e.g. a close up study or a shot of the whole animal and then you will know which shutter speed or aperture to use having decided it is possible with the available light. Hope this helps
Jon

thank you, yes it certainly does help, ok quick shots might never be as I would like them, but all the tips and info certainly will