My second image from Germany I'm presenting to you, this time of two Wolves intensely watching their pack-mates a little further down hill. As you can see both wolves are covered in snow, this is because the snow was stacked so high the wolves use their bodies to 'dig' a trench through the deep snow, in essence creating a path that they then use to traverse their territory.
While captive subjects (like these) may not be preferable for photographers, they do give a photographer (and basicaly anyone willing to wait and see) a wonderfull insight in the natural behaviour of these animals, it's like watching a great documentary (live, while your hands are freezing off
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Tech: Canon 7D, 400mm f5,6 iso 800 and 1/400th. PS with Tk's action's/layers.
please note that (c) means this image contains captive subjects 
Comments
15 commentsDave
For what it's worth personally I prefer shooting (with a camera) wild, free roaming animals because if I get something good I feel that I have been especially fortunate or blessed. I don't think I would get quite that thrill shooting captive animals and especially not from shooting game farm animals that are trained to pose wherever and do whatever the trainer commands them to do. Regardless of my personal feelings on the matter I think every photographer should make his/her own choice in the matter and just because the photo was made of captive subjects doesn't make it less of a photo from the standpoint of the skills and "eye" of the photographer.
Nice symmetry and the focused stares of these two magnificent animals is fabulous. I think you banged the exposure of the snow dead-on, but the wolves look slightly dark to me (maybe 1/2 stop under-exposed), especially in the head region.
I agree with Robert's comment on the space - would like to see more on the left and less on the right. If you use Photoshop CS4 this could be easily accomplished with Content-Aware Scaling, if you want to do it. I have no issue at all with others shooting captive wildlife (and thanks for disclosing it in your commentary), but it's not something that appeals to me (tho' I do it on occasion when testing various bits of gear - but not with my "real" shooting). A large part of my thrill with wildlife photography is associated with the extreme challenge of finding wild animals (like tracking wolves until I find them, etc.) and then finding a way to capture a memorable image "au naturel". I make no claim that this produces better or more saleable images (the contrary is probably true), but it's what makes it rewarding for me.
Regarding your statement:
In most cases - yes. But, I wouldn't use the words "would not see" - I'd use "most people would likely not see" (I doubt there's anything anyone would ever see with a bear in a captive setting - except perhaps playing with supplied toys - that I haven't seen in nature). Plus, there ARE things you can see in nature that you'll never see in captivity (ever watch a pack of wolves attack an adult grizzly in a captive setting??).
Cheers Jorne - nice image and looking forward to seeing more...
Brad
I want to repeat I agree completely that photographing animals in the wild is the best way, but I also think wildlife parks and even zoo's play an important role in conservation and education concerning wildlife, and probably more so in Europe then anywhere else. On the other hand, a lot of 'wild' photography is so commercialised that it causes a lot of stress to animals and damage to nature. I think it's really important to weigh these factors as well in deciding where to shoot.
(yes im talking about some parts in africa here, among other places) One can go in the wild and grab that shot, all the while causing damage and stress to the subject, or one can go to a responible wildlife park, and in visiting support the park in it's role of providing conservation and education. (note i'm talking about select situations here, not wild photography in general, I know most photographers are really carefull).
Lovely capture of two handsome wolves. I like the intense look. I would clone the stick out.
The repost is wonderful!! The intensity in the eyes is what really grabs me (as others) and I like that we can see some teeth. Awesome!
Rebecka
Definitely prefer the repost - much better for me. BUT, I REALLY miss that little break/dip in the snow that was in the upper left corner in the original - it just made the shot for me!
Cheers...
Brad
PS: Totally kidding about the snow...
cheers