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Textures of the Tundra

Gallery: 10 Years of NPNPosted April 3, 2010415 views15 comments

One of my favourites from way back in 2004...

A family of 3 polar bears cuddled up together sleeping on the open tundra near Churchill, Manitoba. The mass of fur on the far left is mom, one cubs face is clearly visible, and the bit of fur in the lower right corner is cub #2.

I loved the textures and gentleness conveyed by this scene - I hope my image conveys that feeling...

Subject: Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) family cuddled together
Location: Cape Churchill, MB, Canada
Camera: Nikon D2H
Lens: Nikon 200-400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR lens @ 400mm - (EFL of 600 mm) - blanced on beanbag. VR on and set to "Normal" mode.
Exposure: 1/20s at f16. ISO 200. No compensation from matrix metered exposure.
Crop: Very minimal - this is about 95% of original image

All the 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_2.html.

All comments welcome. As always, probably best to have a peek at the larger version before commenting...

Brad

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 3, 2010 at 12:34 PM

Your assessment is pretty spot on but I'll take it one step further. The textures are great by themselves, but what really intrigues me are the lines created by the texture. Vertical, horizontal, wavy, meandering, seemingly random patterns which creates a very abstract feel

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on April 3, 2010 at 2:33 PM

Such a cool shot, as mentioned on multiple levels, both as a classic wildlife shot and as a piece of art. Thanks for sharing!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on April 3, 2010 at 10:05 PM

Absolutely inspiring and emotive! In the midst of the profusion of fur, the one small speck of dirt on the mama bear in the LLHC does draw some attention. But after six years, it obviously doesn't bother you.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on April 4, 2010 at 9:16 AM

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the feedback, And - you're right - the small speck you're referring to doesn't bother me at all! Obviously easy to remove, but doing so would be contrary to my personal philosophy on what nature is about and what I'll do to a photo, so I'll live with the speck! Hasn't seemed to hurt image sales.

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Zack Schnepf on April 4, 2010 at 8:39 PM

This is a pleasure to view. Beautiful, tender and abstract image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2528 Comments

Comment posted by Andrius Pašukonis on April 4, 2010 at 10:00 PM

dont even know what to say.. Amazing!

Registered on July 23, 2005, 111 Posts, 408 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on April 6, 2010 at 10:46 PM

Brad,
This says so much with such an intimate view. A great example of one of the many things I am learning from people like you on NPN. If I had the good fortune -- as well as the dedication -- to witness such a scene a few years ago, I would have been reaching for a shorter lens.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 8, 2010 at 8:41 AM

This is a marvelous image Brad - the texture, sharpness, and composition are all top notch!

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on April 8, 2010 at 9:18 PM

Absolutely beautiful Brad! Not much else to say. Almost an abstract, definately ART, and painterly effect. Wonderful capture.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on April 9, 2010 at 1:17 PM

Even more that gentleness is it has tenderness as well. Splendid!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 11, 2010 at 9:21 PM

Another amazing moment captured as Only you do so well.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 12, 2010 at 12:46 AM

Simply wonderful to gaze at, another great image Brad!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Buck Ward on April 17, 2010 at 2:14 PM

What a marvelous picture! A pleasure to look at. Deserves every 'wow' it gets.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 17, 2010 at 9:02 PM

A beautiful and artistic image Brad, thanks for all that you do for NPN in the fauna gallery.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on April 27, 2010 at 12:12 AM

I love this peaceful moment, Brad! Thank you for including the large version. The detail is so close and crisp that it feels like you're right there in the cuddle

An incredible capture!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments