The Conquerer...

Hello Brad

Sweet Image. I do enjoy the Environment included Very Much. Nice positioning & some paw action make the image more powerful. The moss covered converging logs also add.

TFS

Bill

I really like this Brad. In addition to the environmental aspects of this image I like the sense of scale the bear provides for the downed trees and the spot lighting on the "spirit bear". Wonderful!

Looks as though he needed some practice to get the obstacle course correct, given what appears to be some claw marks on the front of the log, I assume from travel in the opposite direction.
Cool shot (as usual), Brad.
Thanks for sharing.
Neil

Love it Brad. I really like the composition as I would much prefer what you call an enviroscape over just a close up of a lone bear. This view really puts some life and understanding into the image. The lighting on the bear puts this over the top IMO.

Brad Great shot of beast in its habitat as usual. I am assuming the lighting on the bear was post processed? Either way great shot.

Cracking shot Brad, magnificent looking animal in a great environment.

Gary.

Awesome shot Brad. The detail and color in the whole image is outstanding.

Ron Huff

That's terrific Brad... great shot!

Killer shot Brad! I love everything about it. wonderful pose setting/shapes. I've never seen the real thing, but this helps a lot to portray their beauty.

Great shot Brad, love that "obstacle course"!

This is too awesome a setting ! Was it testing the stability of that log Was it walking towards you ? across from left to right ? What is that log rested on anyway ? So many questions. Add to that a wet rainforest and its most enigmatic resident

Hey folks,

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like this one is growing on a few others too!

A few responses to questions posed above:

1. Gary, you asked: " I am assuming the lighting on the bear was post processed?"

I did do some exposure adjustments to the image, but most were directed at reducing the glare off the wet logs and taming the reflections in the creek water. I did do a little tone-mapping and mid-tone tweaking to the front side of the bear to bring back some of the white-on-white nuances in the facial and foreleg regions. The lighting on the back of the bear is mostly untouched and reflects what I saw in the field quite well (as well as I can remember).

2. Anand - you asked a bunch of questions, so...

The bear was headed almost directly at me on the lower log. I anticipated that it actually was going to go down into the creek and go UNDER the upper log, and I was quite surprised when it started climbing the large log spanning the image. I captured the whole sequence as it climbed up and over the log, and this one is my favourite of the batch (largely because of the slightly lowered and turned head, the light on the bear, and that raised left front paw). Following this shot the bear descended back onto the lower log and entered the creek and continued looking for salmon. Oh...and the large upper log - it's spanning the entire creek and is just supported on either end by the creek bank...

Cheers...

Brad

Great setting n beautiful frame !!!
I like the sense of balance in the frame, but one thing I would like to know from you, that how do you feel about tree trunk dividing the frame in the middle.
Jagdeep Rajput

Hi Jagdeep,

Thanks for your comment. And, regarding your question "...how do you feel about tree trunk dividing the frame in the middle?"

I have mixed feelings about it. As a shot showing the animal within its preferred habitat I think it adds a lot in terms of conveying the "nature" of the Great Bear Rainforest. That's a very big bear...but it seems almost "small" in comparison to the size of those logs. And that log certainly helps convey the "foreboding" nature of the forest - imagine trying to work your way up that stream (it certainly isn't the only log to climb over)! Watching the bear almost effortless climb over all obstacles in its path as tho' they were just toothpicks certainly increased my respect for their physical prowess (and reminded me how physically wimpy we humans are!).

In purely artistic or graphic terms...I would argue that the "stubby" horizontal log crossing the frame is too heavy visually and dominates the frame a bit too much. But little I could do with it in the field or during post-processing. I guess it is what it is! And, I mentioned above that I was only lukewarm about the image at first - the main reason for that WAS the large horizontal log...

I hope that makes some sense to you.

Cheers...

Brad

Brad - this is (insert superlative here...wonderful, gorgeous, beautiful, enchanting, haunting, mesmerizing, equisite, etc...they all work). Love the composition, the pose, the habitat, the light, the look on the bear's face, the lifted paw, the wet fur...love it all. Honestly, I'd provide suggestions on your images if I thought any were truly helpful, but you make it a little hard. I guess I will say that I originally viewed this on my phone, and it loaded horizontally only showing the top through the log under his feet, and it was very strong with this horizontal "crop." But I love seeing more of the "big picture." That being said, I guess in this case the log does cut the image in half. And THAT being said, I still wouldn't change a thing. Love it.

This is an incredible photo Brad, pure pleasure to view.

Ken Archer

Thanks Brad, I completely agree with you.
Jagdeep Rajput

Glad you cleared up one big doubt I had in my mind. I, too, thought it would be easier for the bear to go under the big fallen tree, rather than up it. But, guess being a bear means you are different from the rest of us!