Back from Svalbard

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 1, 2013210 views10 comments

This is a full frame image from M V Stockholm. in the high Arctic at least 83.5 degrees north or around 400 miles from North Pole.
EOS 1D MkIV
70-200mm MkII F2.8 at 102mm
ISO 800
F4
1/1250

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on October 1, 2013 at 1:17 PM

Quite a view, and you can tell you were close! I like the expression on this bear's face. It does seem a bit tight, so I suppose if you had zoomed out to 70mm there may have been a bit more breathing room, but sometimes we get caught up in great moments like this.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on October 1, 2013 at 2:06 PM

Wow! The scary thing is it was shot at 102mm! I'd like to see more room on the top and bottom, but I understand this is full frame. You've got great detail in the bear's fur.

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on October 1, 2013 at 2:36 PM

Great timing, Ken. I agree that a bit more icy real estate would be nice, but you still have a wonderful portrait.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 1, 2013 at 8:10 PM

Stunning photo of this iconic mammal. I assume you were in a zodiac or on the ice, just curious. The larger view is beautifully detailed. I also suggest a bit more room all around. Is this full frame Ken?

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Carey Closs on October 2, 2013 at 2:22 AM

Nice capture, looks pretty scary. As others mentioned, it's a bit tight but still a solid image. I might consider brightening it up a touch. Oh, and can we have a bear story; it doesn't even have to be true.

Registered on April 15, 2012, 107 Posts, 326 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 2, 2013 at 3:00 AM

Thanks everybody for your kind comments.
The tightness results from my shooting position through a hawser hole on the side of the ship at deck level where I was prone. I really did not fancy poking to much out of it and I did not have my wide angle with me (it was at the back of the ship). The Bear was right by the ship on ice that brought it up to a great level. It was quite a dull day hence the lack of light.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on October 2, 2013 at 7:01 PM

Great capture Ken - a bit tight, but a cool shot nonetheless.

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 2, 2013 at 8:43 PM

A beautiful close-up of this bear Ken. Wonderful fur details visible in the large version and a great toothy expression. I like the varying colors of the surround ice.

Sweet One!

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on October 3, 2013 at 8:36 AM

Great expressions n beautiful setting!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 6, 2013 at 12:30 PM

I, too, love the colors of the ice and the pose of the bear. Excellent exposure. My only tweak would be to have some more space over his head.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments