A Polar bear wandering...

[Steve Kaluski]

Taken towards the later part of the day, this Polar Bear said his farewell and moved off, back onto the forming pack ice.

Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.

Steve

Subject: Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) late afternoon
Location: Svalbard
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 16-35mm f/2.8 MKII HH
Exposure: 1/2500s at f/8 ISO2000 EV +1
Original format: Portrait, very small crop on the sides for presentation
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC2017

[Loi Nguyen]

Steve, this is a lovely polar landscape. The sliver of sun peaking thru the cloud really made this image. I wish the polar bear head turning towards that speck of sunshine. Do you such a frame?


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[Steve Kaluski]

Sadly not Loi, he was on his way and after this he headed slightly left and all we had was a disappearing butt! :w3

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Steve agree with Loi, regarding that this is a lovely landscape with a polar bear !!!
Great color and tonal range .... all does sit nicely together :wave:, going hand in hand so to speak .I personally like the " curved " PB , as he does fit nicely into the bend in the ice . And from this POV you still have the face , you would have lost it once he looked into the sun , just my thought .
I just have one wish .... i wish the land was not there :e3 , instead pure ice .

A pleasure to view .

TFS Andreas

[Steve Kaluski]

I just have one wish .... i wish the land was not there :e3 , instead pure ice .

That's what makes it different, but be patient... the month is still young. :bg3:

[keith mitchell]

Steve looking for a warm coat,you have really captured the conditions right through to that menacing sky,it would still be a great image even without the Bear,great job.

Keith.

[haseeb badar]

Hi Steve -- Ah, a lovely Polar Bear scape ! Loved the settings and colours in the sky . I also liked the positioning of the subject in the frame , works for me on all counts .

TFS !

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear Steve,

I am delighted seeing this landscape "float" before my eyes. And even more delighted to see you were granted a spot of time here, and took advantage of it in the best possible way. How otherwise?:w3

The scene you have captured is synonymous with solitude, to me. As you know, I am partial to deserts and I go to such places in order to be made to feel small, or humble. But I could safely say this is almost no different, looking at the immensity of space.

I must say I do find this inspiring, Steve. I could go on about the colours and composition and all that, but you know this just works. Right now I prefer to enjoy this scene you put in front of me, it is empty of tress and grasses and almost empty of life, save for this passer by.

By the way, my suggested title for this frame would be "A Polar Bear Wandering"...

Warmest regards,

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Keith & Haseeb, many thanks.

Keith trust all is good?

Steve

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Gabriela, the opportunity arose and I was mindful that having shot with the majority of lens (long), going for the WA was worth the punt, especially with the landscape behind and the light. If you had seen the rear deck it resembled more of a car crash of lens, not good management, but time & opportunities can just evaporate, so I had to take the gamble and as there were only less than a handful of people, likeminded too, it wasn't an issue.

I've always thought about doing a trip with only a 70-200 & 16-35 just for a hoot, as it disciplines you and you become far more creative in your thinking. Conversely, having a large 'arsenal' of lens, you can make the wrong choice, or worry too much about which one to go for, - thus, loosing the 'moment'. :S3:

Cheers
Steve

PS Just remember, there will be a theme at some point 'Pushing the boundaries' so think on...

[Basil Dardagan]

A truly world class image in my humble opinion !!!

[Steve Kaluski]

A truly world class image in my humble opinion !!!

A rather humbling comment Basil, thank you.:wave:

Inspired by a good friend of mind and in the early days, dare I say, - 'mentor' too. But, at the end of the day, it just comes down to the opportunity, as we can all achieve these things, we just need a bit of luck. :w3

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thank you kindly for reply dear Steve,

I am with you, but I admit I do struggle from "separation anxiety" when the 500 is not attached to me. I love close-ups. I am thirsty for emotion, always. A customer buying photographic equipment from my Nikon corner once asked "...what kind of photography do you enjoy?" I was still thinking what to reply when someone you knew very well answered for me : "She specialises in lion portraits..." I never thought about it that way so I was very intrigued with that answer. Thought I experimented a lot, thought I had a variety of images, and yes I always carry three different bodies with three lenses. But I keep failing to find pleasure in the 70-200, I feel I can't get close enough? I am trying these days, I will try harder...

"Pushing the boundaries"... sounds good, sounds like adventure - I like it...

PS. Love the title:5

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - Excellent use of the 16-35 to capture this polarscape. Love all the hues and that bit of "midnight sun."

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Steve - Excellent use of the 16-35 to capture this polarscape. Love all the hues and that bit of "midnight sun."

Thanks, you know what it's like out there and stretched your legs to this location, as I think you have similar, fun isn't it.

[Mike Poole]

The arctic landscape is just designed for these type of shots, especially with the low sunlight coming through the clouds. The little bit of land in the BG adds an extra layer of interest for me, and I like the way the bears body seems to curve round with the edge of the ice.

Perfect world scenario would have given us a better look at the face, as I think his angle may have worked better in a landscape format but even so, still a very good image.

Mike

[Morkel Erasmus]

Just love this, Steve. The pose of the bear does not bother me at all.
Great image design and exposure.

[gail bisson]

I think this is excellent. Love the comp and the way the polar bear's body follows the curve in the ice.
Well done,
Gail