Although an absolutely ancient image (in digital terms), I thought this would be an appropriate shot as my last addition to this gallery in 2009. This image was shot in a near white-out back in late October of 2004 and the bear was leaping from a completely featureless background (or, speaking metaphorically, an unknown history) into an equally obscure foreground (or, carrying the metaphor forward, an unknown future). But, given the obvious lack of an alternate option, you might as well act like this bear and just go for it!
The absolute muscular power and raw athleticism of wild animals, and particularly carnivores, never ceases to amaze me. The break in the ice that this bear was leaping over was at least 10 feet wide, yet it calmly walked up to it and leapt over as though it were simply stepping over a crack in a sidewalk. And, of course, the bear cleared the freezing water with ease. To the bear, this was no major feat and it really presented no danger at all. To a human, running into this crack in the ice would be both daunting and fraught with danger. It's bit of a sad commentary that we physically inferior beings have used our massive (but short-sighted!) brains to conquer (and threaten the very survival of) such impressive creatures in so many ways...
One of the many and most commonly cited reasons for shooting RAW images is that as the RAW processing software improves over time one can go back and re-process old RAW files and produce ever-better images. My reality (and I suspect that of many other photographers) is that I can rarely find time to go back and re-process my older images - I find it challenging enough to keep up with the processing of my current RAW files! Anyway, I originally processed this image back in late autumn of 2004 and immediately relegated it to the "keep it, but don't show it" section of my hard-drive! On a whim I decided to re-process it during the Christmas season of 2009. Well...turns out that the theory of RAW processing software continually improving has real merit - I was able to retrieve FAR more white-on-white detail on the bear and end up with a much, much better image using the latest version of Capture One Pro (V 5.0.1). The image is still no prize winner by any means, but the original was shot under hellish conditions - there was ice fog and snow in the air, my lens was fogged over and I even found a not-so-small snow drift in my lens hood when I packed my camera away! The RAW capture (see below for a preview of it) was of the sort where it was debatable whether or not I should keep the RAW file.
By the way - the background in this image is NOT "blown out" - I shot this in conditions where no white-on-white detail was visible in the snow and later brightened the very dull image up!
Subject: Polar bear (
Ursus maritimus) jumping a lead in the ice pack
Location: Cape Churchill, MB, Canada
Camera: Nikon D2H
Lens: Nikon 200-400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR lens (@ 350mm - EFL of 525 mm) - supported on a beanbag. VR on and set to "Normal" mode.
Exposure: 1/640s at f5. ISO 200. +1.0 stop compensation from matrix metered exposure.
Crop: More than normal - this is only about 75% of original capture
All the gory details behind this image (field notes, all camera settings and processing details, conservation, etc.) can be found at:
http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/mammals/bears/detail_60.html.
Cheers...have a GREAT New Year's and 2010. In terms of comments - anything goes, but it might be interesting to hear your photographic resolutions for 2010. Mine are...
1. Find more time to actually shoot!
2. Spend more time learning more about Photoshop and Capture One Pro
3. Go back and re-process some of those iffy RAW files!
Hmmm...I guess these all boil down to "do more work". Good thing I enjoy what I do!
Brad
Comments
17 commentsUp to my eyeballs in work, but had to stop and say hi. Great to see you revisiting some great images with a new or renewed perspective. Good stuff!!!!
My resolution: to start back to nature when I'm done with the ski season and not use burnout as an excuse to veg.
Happy New Year All!!!
Neil
You did a great job processing this. Several friends have come back from Churchill with bear images I would have thought would be nearly impossible: detail in white fur AND detail in the white snow.
One of my resolutions for the new year is the same as yours: Get more sophisticated with Photoshop techniques. That conflicts a bit with my second resolution: get reinspired enough to get out and shoot more this winter.
Laura Stafford
1: not get so excited seeing the wonders of nature and shooting without looking at the histogram or settings
2: Understand my camera abilities and use them to their best advantages.
Happy 2010 everyone!
What an amazing difference - the re-worked image is worlds apart from the original. While it may not compare to some of your latest work, I bet you could still finish in the top tier in some photo competitions. I agree with your ideas on the powers and abilities of wildlife. I received David Cross's book "Waterbirds" for Christmas (well worth the high price tag!) and am in awe of these birds that stay in flight for essentially years and can plunge dive to 200 ft. We are in awe when the Olympics come around and people set new world records which would are truly pedestrian compared to cheetas, tuna, peregrines, etc.
As for the resolutions. . .
1. Learn more Photoshop (youtube videos seem to be a good aid)
2. Spend more time in the FIELD. I unfortunately do a lot of my photography from my car, which is great for a mobile blind, but not so great for immersing yourself in wildlife.
3. Take LESS shots per session. I'm getting really sick of Alt+Delete in Bridge. . .
Thank you very much for sharing both images for comparison.
Your processing skills show me on a weekly basis how to improve my shots.
Your images are like the carrot in front of the cart!
Thanks again!
You also have a great 2010, lokking forward to seeing what image you amaze us with next!
My own resolutions are:
1. Do more landscape photography.
2. Buy more gear
3. Find more time & money to actually shoot.
4. Process less images, but process better!
My resolution too is to spend more time in the field.
Wish you all the best for 2010 !
Jagdeep Rajput
... and my resolution: try to find more time to spend in the field taking pictures...