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The Shortest Day
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The Shortest Day

by Stephen Kaluski

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted December 21, 2010223 views21 comments
Taken in Svalbard at about 8.30pm where really there is no real night, if the exif data is correct. A little richer in colour compared to a similar one that a few of you have seen in a calender :smile: which was taken a little later. This Polar bear was of on patrol, looking for dinner, a seal or seal pup, in what seemed to be in a rather desolate environment.

BTW thanks for the comments on the Grizzly in Fauna, as I have had no internet for just over 24hrs to reply back on.

Steve
MKIII 500f/4 1/320 f/4 ISO1600 (Gitzo tripod/Arca Swiss and sidekick)

Comments

21 comments
Comment posted by Phillip Tomkinson on December 21, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Hi Steve a very nice image I love the rich colour.

Phil.

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :wavey:
Registered on July 14, 2005, 194 Posts, 427 Comments
Comment posted by Austin Thomas on December 21, 2010 at 4:45 PM
The colours and tones go well with the subject Steve.
The vertical comp has also worked well by including the brighter skyline. A horizontal crop my have been too monochrome.

Cheers

Austin

Registered on March 7, 2008, 45 Posts, 207 Comments
Comment posted by Maggie Campbell on December 21, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Love the lighting or lack of it on the polar bear. I feel I may have preferred a landscape with the top section of orange removed. Still looking and thinking about it Steve. :wavey:
Registered on April 15, 2009, 8 Posts, 124 Comments
Comment posted by Bob Johnson on December 21, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Stunning Steve! Nothing more nothing less it must have been a hell of a trip. :toast: :toast:

Bob :smile:
Registered on December 8, 2010, 17 Posts, 169 Comments
Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on December 21, 2010 at 5:22 PM
Great shot Steve - I love the colours, from the deep blue of the ice and snow to the orange in the sky :toast: :toast:

Oscar :wavey:
Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Davies on December 21, 2010 at 5:46 PM
I'd be inclined to agree with Maggie . Losing the top puts into a different league .
Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments
Comment posted by Andy Astbury on December 22, 2010 at 4:25 AM
I like it Stevo - I'd like it even more if the horizon was straight and level :wink: :biggrin:
Registered on January 11, 2007, 28 Posts, 257 Comments
Comment posted by Neil Burton on December 22, 2010 at 4:32 AM
I do hope we get to Svarlbad next year, would love to see a polar bear....even better with this kind of lights and composition.
Registered on September 16, 2010, 26 Posts, 461 Comments
Comment posted by David Sewell on December 22, 2010 at 4:38 AM
I think the colours are great, I love the warm colours at the top and the contrast with the cold blues at the bottom. Great shot, Steve.

David
Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments
Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 22, 2010 at 5:39 AM
I agree, 0.93 degrees CCW Andy would have been better. :biggrin:

Neil, when are you going as it does make a difference to everything as it is swings & roundabouts, trade offs and very much luck of the draw to see them, but our hit rate was 45 bears in 14 days. :smile:

Thanks everyone. :wavey:
Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments
Comment posted by Shaun Boycott-Tayl on December 22, 2010 at 6:26 AM
Hi Steve,

I love the image, it conveys the atmosphere of the cold and the dark, the positioning of the bear is spot on. Agree with Andy A, it needs a bit of CCW. :toast: :toast: :toast:

Would have been a "Goldie" had it had a catchlight in the eye :biggrin:

Always a pleasure to view your images Steve. :toast:

Shaun :wavey:
Registered on April 19, 2010, 0 Posts, 67 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Rosser on December 22, 2010 at 6:36 AM
Really beautifull image!! Stunning photography. :toast: :toast: :toast:
Regards,
Paul Rosser. :wavey:
Registered on October 25, 2009, 61 Posts, 188 Comments
Comment posted by Kim Connolly on December 22, 2010 at 8:31 AM
A stunning composition, I love it - from top to bottom!! :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2008, 14 Posts, 226 Comments
Comment posted by Sandra Hendrikse on December 22, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Wonderful image. :smile:
Registered on January 23, 2008, 48 Posts, 769 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Lou on December 22, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Beautiful colors. What make this photo is the rim lighting outlining the bear.
Registered on August 3, 2010, 86 Posts, 273 Comments
Comment posted by Lee fisher on December 22, 2010 at 11:06 AM
A very special image Steve
:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
Lee
Registered on September 10, 2010, 13 Posts, 89 Comments
Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on December 22, 2010 at 12:54 PM
An excellent capture :smile:
Looks almost as cold as it is in Britain at the moment :wink:
Well done.

Geoff.
Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments
Comment posted by Simon Litten on December 22, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Perfect :toast: Captures the spirit of both place and animal superbly.

Simon
Registered on June 22, 2006, 24 Posts, 275 Comments
Comment posted by David Kjaer on December 22, 2010 at 1:21 PM
Love the lighting Steve

David :toast:
Registered on January 4, 2006, 128 Posts, 4170 Comments
Comment posted by Gary McGhee on December 22, 2010 at 3:37 PM
This is a terrific photo Steve, the transition in colour is fantastic. Hope he got his dinner.

Gary.
Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments
Comment posted by Justin on December 22, 2010 at 4:46 PM
Very nice indeed. The combination of warm and cool tones work particularly well here.
:toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 106 Posts, 1697 Comments