Just come back from finland with Ed and Marcel and had some amazing photo opportunties with brown bears, we went to three different locations and I liked what I got from most of them but this is probably my favourite from the trip. This female had three young cubs and was very nervous of large males and in this shot you can see she has stood up for a better look.
The image looks a tad dark on my monitor especially in the area around the RH forepaw of the adult whose defination is being lost in with the body, could be recovered by using S&H?.
Don't agree with Alan about the comp as I find the smaller bear a too close to the RHS of the frame. The setting looks excellent with that white flower forming a lower boarder being very effective.
It's not often I do this but spent a minute applying some of the stuff I suggested. See above and decide to remove the central in focus branch as it did draw the eye back to the center and made the cub look even more off side. Have only clone the branches and have not touch the main subject - the extra light on the mothers paw is simply by balancing the exposure however working with such a small Jpeg has induced some extra noise.
Lovely shot Danny, I don't mind the other odd branches in the original, but I like Tom's tidied up version equally, it is a shame the cub isn't back a bit in the frame too, but its a great image none the less.
Tis very nice but have to agree more room on the right would have been great, the removal of the couple of distractions has helped, but as we know that cannot be done in certain circumstances....
Amazing what you can do with iso 200 matey. Superb image and very nice pose. Great work and I hope to see some more. It's been a fantastic trip and I did enjoy every minute in the hide accept the farting bit
The repost is much better I agree but lets be honest its not always the point is it, we all would like the perfect picture but in reality it just doesn;t work that way. Yes the middle branch is in the way but does it matter, yes the cub is looking out of the frame but again does it matter, sometimes something special happens and you are just so glad to record it, most of the shots I got were of the bears doing nothing just walking around searching for food so when this happened it was an amazing experience to witness it in the view finder. So in a nutshell I don;t agree with the nits because I think they are bit picky but then if everyone agreed on liking the same stuff it would make wildlife photography boring.
Tom, a great job on the repost. Too much shadow on the origional, as we know a camera can't do everything, thats why we have the editing tool. The origional is a fantastic capture,and excellent to document the bears natural habitat, but not eye pleasing. The edited verson is extremely eye pleasing and I would definately hang this one on my wall.As far as taste and cheating-I think it depends on what one wants to use a capture for. I love photography but it is a habit that requires money to continue , so the edited post would be more saleable. None the less, a great shot Danny and I only wish it were mine.
Superb work, I'd love the chance to grab an encounter such as this so thanks you for sharing it. I have looked at the various comments and among all, seem to be equally arguable. I think you've captured a magical moment and it leaves me wondering if the second cub behind the mother will join the pose..? Thanks again,
Now Danny don't tell me you haven't (at the least) cloned out the odd branch before , that said it is a nice image tweaked or not, tweaking simply depends on final usage.
T
Posted by Alan Bryant on June 23, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Awesome image
That is up there in my all time things to photograph, that i would love to do one day.
Horses for courses, as Danny says if we all liked the same it would be very boring,but for me the original is the better image,and if for no other reason,because it is the original,and that's how it was. IMHO I try to take as little out of an image as possible,and leave things the way they were...................
I like the original, , and it must have been something to witness first hand .
It must have been an incredible experience. I have to agree with Danny .
If its ok to move the branch, why not move the cub left a bit !! ?? Where does it end.? I suppose its different in garden and pool setups where if a branch or leaf is in the way then its your own fault. You should have sussed that before you took the shot. This case though I feel is not the same in any way.
Cheers
JR
Posted by Simon Litten on June 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM
What a corker! Seems fine as is to me - you've captured the moment well.
I suppose its different in garden and pool setups where if a branch or leaf is in the way then its your own fault.
Even in bigger hide jobs such as this the area around the hide is/was in the control of whoever set the hide up, so theoretically the branches should have been cleaned before the shot was taken. It's easy to say with hindsight tho' .
I find both versions pleasing. The original is nice for being just that - original. Tom's version feels 'stronger' and 'cleaner' and would as such probably be more appealing commercially.
Discussion
21 repliesCanon 1D MK11, 500mm Lens, F4, iso 200.
Danny
This is superb. Absolutely love the similar poses and the obvious size difference between adult and cub.
A really attractive setting too.
Clearly quick reactions, by you, judging from the dripping water on the adults paws, and a wonderfully framed comp.
The similar poses put this in a class of its own
Alan
Matt
The image looks a tad dark on my monitor especially in the area around the RH forepaw of the adult whose defination is being lost in with the body, could be recovered by using S&H?.
Don't agree with Alan about the comp as I find the smaller bear a too close to the RHS of the frame. The setting looks excellent with that white flower forming a lower boarder being very effective.
Looks like you guys have had a marvelous trip!
Just love the shots i have seen so far from Edwin and this one from you is another stunner!
Well done!
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Looks like another successful (expensive?
Speak later
Mark
It does look a tad 'flat' too, and I might be tempted to remove the small pine branch crossing the upright dead pine on the left - or remove both.
Having said that it is a superb capture with them both standing up - very very nice Danny
Robert
Edwin Kats
The repost is much better I agree but lets be honest its not always the point is it, we all would like the perfect picture but in reality it just doesn;t work that way. Yes the middle branch is in the way but does it matter, yes the cub is looking out of the frame but again does it matter, sometimes something special happens and you are just so glad to record it, most of the shots I got were of the bears doing nothing just walking around searching for food so when this happened it was an amazing experience to witness it in the view finder. So in a nutshell I don;t agree with the nits because I think they are bit picky but then if everyone agreed on liking the same stuff it would make wildlife photography boring.
Danny
Brett.
Now Danny don't tell me you haven't (at the least) cloned out the odd branch before
T
That is up there in my all time things to photograph, that i would love to do one day.
It must have been an incredible experience. I have to agree with Danny .
If its ok to move the branch, why not move the cub left a bit !! ?? Where does it end.? I suppose its different in garden and pool setups where if a branch or leaf is in the way then its your own fault. You should have sussed that before you took the shot. This case though I feel is not the same in any way.
Cheers
JR
Simon
Even in bigger hide jobs such as this the area around the hide is/was in the control of whoever set the hide up, so theoretically the branches should have been cleaned before the shot was taken. It's easy to say with hindsight tho'
I find both versions pleasing. The original is nice for being just that - original. Tom's version feels 'stronger' and 'cleaner' and would as such probably be more appealing commercially.