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Keep That Snorkel Up!

Gallery: 10 Years of NPNPosted April 9, 2010742 views15 comments

One of my favourite (and most unique) grizzly shots of 2009. One of the things I find so exciting about modern digital photography is that technological advances now allow us to capture images that would have never been possible even a few short years ago. With this shot I hand-held a 600mm lens (thanks to image stabilization technology) at ISO 1100 (an ISO that we wouldn't have thought possible to use 5 years ago).

Subject: Adult grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) swimming just after sunset
Location: Khutzeymateen Inlet (Great Bear Rainforest), BC, Canada
Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: Nikkor 600 mm f4 VR lens - handheld. VR on and in "Normal" mode.
Exposure: 1/250s at f4. ISO 1100. No compensation from matrix metered exposure.
Crop: This is over 80% of full frame

All the contextual information surrounding this shot (field notes, all camera settings and processing details, conservation, etc.) can be found at:

http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/mammals/bears/.

Comments and feedback greatly appreciated...probably better to view larger version prior to doing so...

Cheers...

Brad

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Bob Shaw on April 9, 2010 at 12:18 PM

You are quite right Brad... being able to use high ISO's and image stabilization has made low light hand held shooting available to us now. This shot is just amazing and must be seen at the larger size to really get the feeling of being their.

Bob

Registered on April 2, 2009, 16 Posts, 18 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on April 9, 2010 at 1:27 PM

What a great image!

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on April 9, 2010 at 1:27 PM

How neat is this? Your right too, this would have been pretty much impossible just a few years ago. This is one impressive image, especially under the conditions given. Great shot Brad.

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

Comment posted by Andrius Pašukonis on April 9, 2010 at 3:36 PM

I just checked the larger version on a huge screen that I have at work at it looks awesome! I just love the contrast between the usual powerful dangerous grizzly image that I we have and this ridiculous fluffy creature with his snorkel that you captured here.

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

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on April 9, 2010 at 5:27 PM

Hey Brad,
Another unique and stunning image.
It is a great time to be a photographer with all the modern tools at our disposal. I've never enjoyed it more in my 30+ years of hacking images. What do I do after ten hours printing? Head to NPN to look at more images.
I've looked at this on three different calibrated monitors and think it could tolerate a little warming, however. A minor nit for a wonderful image. I look forward to joining back into the fray in another 9 days.
Thanks for sharing as usual.
Neil

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on April 9, 2010 at 6:42 PM

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the feedback re: warming the image up. In purely aesthetic terms I completely agree. The image was shot just after sunset with a mix of clouds and clear sky - the reflection of the clouds and ambient light provided an interesting mix of cool light with some gold reflections in the water (i.e, reflections in the water of the gold-coloured cloud bottoms). I think this image is quite close to "as seen" (as best as I can remember the scene). I considered going warmer but opted for the more unique, closer to "as seen" version...

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Bob McQuade on April 10, 2010 at 11:00 AM

This would have to rate as one of my favorite grizzly shots also. Hard to believe that is shot @ ISO 1100

Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on April 10, 2010 at 4:11 PM

Brad, I can truly understand your thoughts about this being a favorite one of your images. It sure is a favorite in my book. During my years in Alaska I was fortunate enough to see all the native bears to that state except the Kodiak. Although I had a sincere respect for all of them when I was out in the bush, I never turned my head or blinked my eyes around the grizzlies. I've seen them in action, what an amazingly powerful animal, and FAST too.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 10, 2010 at 9:43 PM

Tack sharp and beautifully seen - this photo certainly does represent the advances in technology and what it's allowed us to do.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 11, 2010 at 9:09 PM

An amazing image. Your low angle really makes it work as it enables the viewer to really connect with the eyes. It's just great

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 12, 2010 at 12:43 AM

One in a million! Super Sweet Photo Brad!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on April 16, 2010 at 3:22 AM

Brad, your fauna images are always incredible. But what's even more incredible is the time you take, both in your images and critiques, to help all of us become better at wildlife photography. Thanks!

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on April 17, 2010 at 3:16 PM

This picture looks as if you are as deep in the water as he is, and he's coming to get you. Truly an image with great impact.

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

Comment posted by Gary Minish on April 27, 2010 at 12:53 AM

A very unique bear photo, Brad! The large version really makes a difference, especially because you can see the eyes so good and the detail in the fur is impressive. Very, very nice

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

Comment posted by Muhammad Zaid Wani on August 7, 2010 at 12:28 PM

What a great shot!

Registered on August 18, 2005, 23 Posts, 1406 Comments