Standing Bear

Nice to see you again, Guy! In my mind the oof foliage in the lower left is a very, very minor nit. I think this is stellar as posted, with the wonderful sense of light against the fall colors, and excellent detail on the bear.

Guy, first of all - your OOF brush is minimal and is not a distraction, to me anyway. Second, this capture is really appealing...it's a heart thumping moment when a mature grizzly stands to survey his surroundings.....I think it rocks! Great DOF, with the Alaska fall colors sharp in the foreground, and smoothly blurred in the background. Brightening the bear would be a plus - but not a necessity. It brings back fond memories of a place I called home for 20 years. TFS

Jim

A nice combination of a great pose and appealing surroundings. I was also thinking the bear seems slightly dark. Otherwise, I think the OOF foliage is only a minor issue.

Max

I had not even noticed the oof foreground brush until I read your comments. I love the autumnal/fall colours in both foreground and background, but agree that lightening the bear itself would be good.

David

Guy, Great smiling Grizzly. Love the complimentary colour scheme and as for that little oof bush....It didn't bother me one bit.

I really like this. A standing bear is almost always a winner. Perhaps try to bring out a few more details on the bear. Otherwise, superb.

Thanks everyone - always nice to get feedback on my shots, especially from a great group of photogs. I've posted an updated version, tried to brighten up the bear a bit without overdoing it.

Splendid shot, apart from the pose of the bear the two other, bright, colours make the photo. Super and the OOF leaves don't bother me!
Grt, Ingrid.

What an awesome image, Guy! Great composition. The colors are just gorgeous!! The out of focus foliage is a very minor nit. In fact, I hadn't even noticed it until you mentioned it.

Well it has all been said, I agree, wonderful bear photo. I don't feel that the vegetation is in any way distracting, in fact the yellow leaves and the branches frame the subject perfectly. Awesome applies here !

Thanks for the comments everyone, much appreciated!

A wonderful autumn bear photo Guy Nice texture in the fur and a beautiful color pallet all around.

Sweet Photo!

This is just wonderful and the oof foliage stands out only when you point it out :). I think its because the image is so strong and the subject is so attractive that you don't even notice the rest. I prefer the repost but thats just a very minor difference.

A beautiful photograph! Yes, you are obsessing over a very minor point. IMHO I think most people would look at this picture and see only the magnificense of the bear, the nice soft light and the beautifully muted fall colors. Only photographers in their oftentimes obsessive pursuit of perfection would notice such a minor flaw. If this was mine I would be on my way to the lab for a wall hanger print

Magnificent! Minor nit on the oof foliage, esp. since it is dull in color so as not to attract attention. That is one beautiful bear and the setting couldn't be better. Congrats on the Pick.

I was just enjoying the image again and thought that its expression made it look huggable. But there's a real good reason that "horribilis" is part of its taxonomical name and we need to keep our wits out there! All the more amazing of a shot, Guy!

Guy,
I missed this whilst away looking for bears of a far lighter colour
This is marvelous in either version the colours are magnificant

Wonderful, congrats on the WP!
D&L

Hi Guy - this one's just gorgeous. Wonderful tones and amazing background compliment a stunning pose in a well-chosen comp. It's a small thing, perhaps, but the clear view of those amazing claws is one of those elements that makes this even more special. I like you how you can see the eye a little better on the repost, and there's not a thing to complain about it, but for whatever reason I like the original a little better...just a bit more dramatic and moody I think. Might be worth trying to bring the detail around the eye out a bit more on that version.

In any event, this is a great-looking capture of a memorable moment, and very, very deserving of the WP. Congrats!

My immediate reaction when I saw this took me back to the last visit to Denali Guy. I did not even notice the oof fg foliage until you mentioned it. Great color and nice DOF. Congrats on WP.

Thanks everyone!