Does anyone want to take a crack at a raw file?

[TravelingChick]

This morning I saw the screech owl again, and I got two pics of it on the outside of its box as it was returning at dawn. BUT - I had to shoot at super high ISO as it was basically still dark out. I've tried DXO and Topaz and LR. DXO and Topaz did an OK job, but the owl looks plasticky (and I'm not surprised by that). LR looks less so, but curious about other options.

To be fair, this photo may not be salvageable. If anyone wants to have a go, email me celeste @ Lesstraveled . com and I'll try to send you the .orf file. Thanks!

This is the LR version:

[Bikie John]

Just a suggestion - could you stick the file on shared storage somewhere and send links to people who ask, rather than sending a big .ORF file?

John

[TravelingChick]

Good idea! I really should have thought about that....I don't use it much but hopefully this works.

I've created a dropbox shared folder:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/1272vq1w9x80wjihgnnw0/AKHOPofLBiGz72OwDsxuecM?rlkey=8xusdepp06fnljckf2dijemys&st=jju3ghow&dl=0

[Growltiger]

How do I upload a photo here. I tried everything obvious already.

[MJ224]

Click onCeleste's link, and tap Download. Should go tho your Download directory...

First time I tried I inevitably had to sign in, either Goole or Dropbox..

[TravelingChick]

The upload function is currently being problematic. If you have flicker you can use that. If not, cut and paste a screen grab, or export out of Photoshop as a PNG with NO exif data. Admins of this site are working on getting a fix.

[MJ224]

The best I can do. It is a great grab shot though...

[TravelingChick]

Thanks for giving it a go. The first one is a def improvement over mine. What software did you use? And if you don't mind uploading a high resolution version back to dropbox, I'd love to compare side-by-side.
I think it is just too much to 'fix', though. I've gone out a few mornings and shared the sunrise with this little guy. I got there really early today - still dark - and just sat and waited for him to return.

[blu-by-u]

What about adding some lights to his house?

[TravelingChick]

No lights- might disturb or disrupt his routine. But I might try to put a no-glow trail camera high up in a neighboring tree.

[griffljg]

I have uploaded the best that I can do using DxO PureRAW 5 and Capture One Pro to Dropbox. The owl appears to be slightly out of focus. I did try using Topaz Photo as a front end instead of DxO PureRAW 5 to address the out of focus issue, but it came out looking far too "plasticy".

[TravelingChick]

Thank you, I'll have a look. I'm not surprised it is soft given the conditions.

[griffljg]

I have also uploaded the Topaz -> Capture One attempt so that you can see the effect. It is also cropped.

[griffljg]

Let's try cut and paste of a screen grab.

DxO PureRAW 5 -> Capture One Pro:

Topaz Photo -> Capture One Pro:

[Growltiger]

Topaz Gigapixel then Denoise then Sharpen. The best I could do without oversharpening.

[gazza95]

Just to add an another variation. This is with DxOPro 2 and Capture one;



Not sure it is any better than Marks...

What software did you use Mark as most of your images look really sharp?

Gary

P.S. meta data stripped with exiftool.

[MJ224]

I start with DXO Pure Raw 4, then into Lightroom. Perhaps a polish with Topaz Sharpener, or Denoise....:_

[gazza95]

Thanks Mark.

[shenstone]

I had a go with DXO photolab, not surprising the results look quite similar to those posted by MJ224 so I have not bothered uploading

Regards Andy

[TravelingChick]

Thank you all! I had very low expectations but y’all came through. Not an award winning shot, but a special moment.

[TravelingChick]

Interesting that Topaz seems to add a color shift. I have no idea what is 'corrrect' but I do know that this owl is a red morph so in real life he is the more rusty color that shows in the DXO processing.

[Ian]

This is my attempt - Lightroom denoise and the old Topaz Sharpen AI app:

[TravelingChick]

I have the Topaz photo ai and I think the old one was better for sharpening.