Black Bear

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 29, 2009334 views15 comments

Hi Folks,
Here's something from September in the northern rockies. I had hoped for good opportunities to photograph bears while on vacation and was given a few. This is perhaps the best of the trip. The light kept switching from behind thick clouds to bright sun. Tossed most of the sunny ones due to high contrast and many of the cloudy ones due to motion blur.

Your comments and critique are most welcome.

Nikon D2X, Nikon 300mm f2.8, TC-14E, 1/160s, f4, ISO 160. About 55% full frame. Processed in Camera Raw & PS2 - levels and dodge & burn.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on November 29, 2009 at 8:42 PM

Love the inclusion of the foilage. Great comp and I like the detail in the bear.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Neff on November 29, 2009 at 10:06 PM

I like this shot Julia; the bear appears to really being enjoying himself and is very peaceful.

Well done.

Registered on December 11, 2003, 10 Posts, 35 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on November 30, 2009 at 12:02 AM

Hello Julia,
Very comfortable looking bear with a gorgeous fall coat. The setting and composition really enhances the texture of the fur. Well Done!
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 30, 2009 at 12:03 AM

This one certainly makes the cut. An almost pensive look on the bear's face. DOF is perfect and wonderful complimentary colors.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by JACK NEAL on November 30, 2009 at 12:40 AM

Love your bear. Very sharp on the head. Thanks for sharing. The sun is not always a photographers friend.

Registered on September 26, 2009, 131 Posts, 554 Comments

Comment posted by Kelly Black on November 30, 2009 at 5:29 AM

Hi Julia,
Wow, what a beauty! That coat is gorgeous. Love the foliage in the foreground and the bear's expression. Nice capture.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 14 Posts, 245 Comments

Comment posted by Carl Donohue on November 30, 2009 at 6:16 AM

Hey Julia

Lovely.

The turn of the bear's head goes perfectly with the soft lighting and subtle fall colors .. everything complements everything else here to create a nice mood.

The D2x is a great camera, but I really struggle with the “ISO factor” ... hence the low s/s in cloudy conditions.

Cheers

Carl

Registered on November 1, 2003, 46 Posts, 589 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on November 30, 2009 at 9:33 AM

Great looking bear and some fine fall foilage in the setting he's in. A real keeper!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 30, 2009 at 4:14 PM

Sweet one Julia! Excellent detail of the bear and the habitat is a giant plus too.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 30, 2009 at 5:23 PM

No nits. Great image!

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on November 30, 2009 at 8:04 PM

She looks so sweet the way you have captured her here Julia. Great detail in the black fur and nice DOF.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 1, 2009 at 7:40 AM

I like the pose with the cocked head. Excellent fur details and very pretty surroundings for this handsome creature.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on December 1, 2009 at 6:10 PM

Great bear shot Julie! I love your low angle and the blurred foliage in the foreground. Really makes it look like you bumped into this one on a hike. Great expression in the bear's eyes and the details in the coat which are so hard to catch in black bears. Well done.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Ron McCombe on December 3, 2009 at 4:01 AM

Julie,
Lovely image. The bear seams at ease with you and it shows in the picture. I would love to have one of these in my collection

Registered on November 16, 2009, 190 Posts, 207 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Koch on August 20, 2011 at 4:21 PM

Hi Julie,

My son is looking for an 12x12 photo of a black bear to hang in his room in our cabin in NC. I really like this one. How can I get a print?

Thank you, Nancy

Registered on January 12, 2011, 4 Posts, 13 Comments