Bear And Driftwood

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 25, 2012755 views19 comments

This image of the coastal brown bear (Grizzly) was taken in the summer of 2011 in the Clark National Park Alaska. If it seems that I am positioned lower than the bear, I was. I was standing at the edge of the surf where the beach rose rather quickly elevating the bear in relation to where I was standing. The beautiful bleached white driftwood caught my eye, and I was please to see that I caught the eye of the bear. This is one of my favorite shots of my three day adventure shooting these bears.

7D - EF100-400 mm F/4.5-5.6L IS @400mm
F/6.3 - 1/400 - ISO 800
PP PS CS5, PS Plugins

Would appreciate any comments. Thank you for taking the time to look at one of my favorite images.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on March 25, 2012 at 10:37 PM

For good reason this is one of your faves! It's wonderful. Love the way the bear is casually glancing over his shoulder at us. The light color of his fur is different and interesting. And the clouds lend so much atmosphere. Larger version is awesome!

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on March 25, 2012 at 10:45 PM

Wow, what a treat. I am envious of your experience and ability to avoid camera shake. The one time I was this close to a bear in the Canadian Rockies my hands shook so much in excitement there wasn't a reward of an image to prove it. Nice environment and low perspective as well. Congratulations on a great photo.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on March 25, 2012 at 11:14 PM

Refreshing is the word ! I can smell the damp alaskan air ! The colours have turned out brilliant

I can recognize the bear and the log. We were stuck on that log with a mom (different bear) and her cubs on either side of us

I would rotate it clockwise (very slightly) and crop a little from the bottom to get rid of the atv prints. Not that the image is not already level, just that there is room for a slight rotation to place the bear's stare higher.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on March 25, 2012 at 11:32 PM

Beautiful image, Dottie. I like the composition keeping so much of the driftwood in the frame. If less were visible it might be a distraction rather than an interesting part of the scene. Great colors and excellent detail on the bear. Nice job and congrats on coming away with a great image from that wonderful place.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on March 26, 2012 at 1:21 AM

what a lovely shot, the big plus is that you captured him on the horizon with the drift wood it give the shot perspective of the depth and the size of animal!!!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 26, 2012 at 1:38 AM

Beautiful! The colours and pose of the bear are exceptional. Really like the driftwood too - an unusual addition to a grizz image!
The blue of the BG mountain seems a bit strong to me, and draws attention from this marvelous bear. I'd suggest toning it down a tad.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on March 26, 2012 at 7:51 AM

This is a beauty of an image Dottie. I like the vibrant colors and that gorgeous OOF backdrop with those cloud covered mountains. The log is a nice feature as well although separation between the log and the bear would have perfected the overall composition. My only suggestion for improvement here is to crop a bit off the bottom till just below that twig, to get rid of those tyre tracks (as Anand already pointed out I see now)

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on March 26, 2012 at 12:00 PM

A beautiful portrait indeed- Great chromatic contrast with the cold BG, fine detail where it counts and a fantastic calm expression of bear's face - My congrats, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 26, 2012 at 1:28 PM

Hello Dottie

SWEET IMAGE !! :) The inclusion of the Driftwood stump as you have catured is well placed, and completes the Capture.

Your Excellent exposure on the Stump as well the main subject is Beautiful. I really don't mind the foreground & seeing the tire marks isn't distracting at all.

If this were my Image, I would consider keeping the foreground but maybe Soften this foreground , this would bring the eyes to the Main subject.

Thanks for Sharing.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 26, 2012 at 3:53 PM

Wonderful light, colors and clarity, and the larger version is even more beautiful than the smaller one.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on March 26, 2012 at 4:33 PM

Wonderful shot, Dottie.
D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 26, 2012 at 5:06 PM

A simply fabulous bear image Dottie! Love the soft light, the overall colour palette and the look-back pose. The POV is also great.
I support a crop from the bottom. Larger version is a must-see...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on March 26, 2012 at 10:12 PM

The larger version is absolutely magical! No comments from me - just speechless!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 26, 2012 at 11:42 PM

Stunning bear photo Dottie

Love seeing all that detail in the large version. Great environmental photo!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Joe James on March 29, 2012 at 9:33 PM

Wonderful image Dottie! Great comp and DOF and I love the subtle turn of of the bear's head to make eye contact with you. This would be one of my favorites as well.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on April 3, 2012 at 12:20 PM

A very nice image indeed Dottie. I like the drift wood in the frame, the head turn and the mountains in the BG. Well done.

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 4, 2012 at 12:45 PM

Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Daniel on April 4, 2012 at 3:58 PM

Fantastic image Dottie! Congrats on the WP, and let's see more of your images.

Registered on May 2, 2007, 23 Posts, 54 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on April 4, 2012 at 6:46 PM

A wonderful image, Dottie! I really enjoyed your large version. Congrats on the WP as well.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments