The Spirit Bear

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 21, 2009378 views11 comments

I couldn't let Brad hog all the fun from the trip. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to accompany Brad this fall on his trip into the Great Bear Rainforest. I highly recommend going to this magical place if the chance ever presents itself. Brad has already given a nice description of the shooting conditions that exist in this place ( and yes they are a photographer's nightmare) and the Kermode bears, so I won't rewrite all that.

At this point, I believe I was laying in the creek with water running up my right leg, hence the OOF rocks in the foreground for Brad to whack on. All C&C welcome.

D700; 600 f/4; foam pad on a rock

Shot @ ISO 1400, f/6.3 @ 1/800sec

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on October 21, 2009 at 2:23 PM

Hey Tony,

Uhhh...about those out-of-focus rocks - MAJOR distraction - weren't you able to clone them out?

Good to see you starting to post images from the trip! I like the shot and can sympathize 100% with your comment about the shooting conditions! Exposure and colour looks as I remember it - well done. I'm thinking some careful adjustment of the mid-tone contrast could help bring out more detail in that luxuriant coat, especially on the upper 1/3 or so of the bear (excluding the head).

I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your shots - this is a GREAT beginning to the series!

Cheers...chat soon...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Canning on October 21, 2009 at 2:57 PM

Beautiful Anthony, the way the white bear pops against its dark surroundings is great!

Registered on February 10, 2004, 88 Posts, 549 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on October 21, 2009 at 3:23 PM

Great color and detail in the larger version - those oof fg rocks are a bit distracting, but not too bad... Nice job!

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on October 21, 2009 at 3:47 PM

What a handsome fellow. The pose really shows that off. Sounds (and looks) like you guys had a very successful trip.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Tamara Gooch on October 21, 2009 at 3:52 PM

Very intriguing bears and the trip is on the list.

Registered on March 4, 2009, 17 Posts, 152 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Gibson on October 21, 2009 at 4:38 PM

"Uhhh...about those out-of-focus rocks - MAJOR distraction - weren't you able to clone them out?"

boy...I suggested cloning out one fuzzy blade of grass once, and I have never heard the end of it. We all know you are a closet cloner Brad.....

Thank you all, and I am glad you like this large, white fellow. Post-proccessing these guys is a not the easiest task with that white coat. I will see if I can bring it out a tad more. The jpg and eye-burning white screen does not help.

Registered on June 11, 2008, 19 Posts, 130 Comments

Comment posted by John W. Wall on October 21, 2009 at 7:12 PM

Laying there in the creek, that bear might be thinking you look even better than some old salmon carcass. Glad you made it out alive.

Registered on July 25, 2006, 53 Posts, 179 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on October 22, 2009 at 10:33 AM

Love the color, exposure, detail and the look on the bear's face. He is looking a little protective of his fish to me. Nice shot!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Theodore on October 22, 2009 at 1:34 PM

Great shot Tony...my only nit are the OOF rocks in the foreground

. You captured a very regal pose. Very nice.

Registered on May 7, 2008, 18 Posts, 54 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Gibson on October 22, 2009 at 3:30 PM

"Laying there in the creek, that bear might be thinking you look even better than some old salmon carcass."

That thought had never entered my mind until you said that..... could explain the stare I was getting.

Registered on June 11, 2008, 19 Posts, 130 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 25, 2009 at 10:22 PM

You did well in capturing one of a lifetime's special moments!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments