Long, Scarred, Boar

[Arthur Morris]

This two frame stitched pano was created with the Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the EOS-1D MIII. ISO 1600. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/320 sec. at f/5.6.

Coastal Brown Bears are actually grizzlies. This old boar was photographed in Katmai National Park in AK. See the Bulletins for info on the trip this September.

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

[Harshad Barve]

He looks old Warrior with few scars on nose,
Looks very calm in this pic
the stiching is awesome,
All in all I loved everything about this image

HArshad

[Mike Tracy]

That face conjures up lots of stories. Most notably a once dominant bear who has lost his alpha standing in the range and is reflecting on his once powerful status. Well done and I like the prone position. Seeing his claws is a nice bonus.

I usually take a minimalist approach in removing objects but find the little rock competing for attention and adding nothing to the comp.

[Alfred Forns]

I like the contrast of the old warrior and the pretty setting !!! Great idea on the stitching !!!!

[Bruce Enns]

I love this one Artie, it looks a bit like he's contemplating how he got to this point...the scars show that life is a bit tougher than his current pose might convey. All the techs are of course perfect, and the pano teaches what a master does when the lens is too long for the subject. Great stuff!

Cheers!
Bruce

[Arthur Morris]

Mike, I struggled with that rock. I, actually we, Linda Robbins and I worked hard to add canvas below left. I originally had a bit more room below the rock. At that time I was fine with it. But now it is too close to the frame edge. I gotta do something with it....

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Hi Artie,
Nice position. The claws are out. Is it normal for the claws to remain open? The rock draws attention but not a deal breaker. Some more space below the rock would have been better. This image will also work with just the front portion of the bear. With the stitching you can print it big.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[A_Maddah]

Hi Arthur (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/member.php?u=7)
very nice.the bear had gone to think that he had young time.

Asad

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

THis is powerful Artie. Really, those scars. The stretch and surroundings. To me it conveys an old warrior, who had accepted that time has come.

Nice stitch work there Sir.

[Gerald Kelberg]

Wonderful creature and I love the idea of the stitched image - perfectly executed. Those scars look pretty recent - maybe his advances were not entirely appreciated by a sow. Ursus not-so-horribilis!

Gerald

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Sabya,

re:

Nice position. The claws are out. Is it normal for the claws to remain open?

Do not know...

The rock draws attention but not a deal breaker. Some more space below the rock would have been better.

Agree.

[Mike Tracy]

Hi Artie,
The claws are out. Is it normal for the claws to remain open?


Unlike cats with the cheetah being the exception all true bears have non-retractable claws.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Mike. I do know that when they are resting or sleeping we do not always see them (even though they are "out."

[Paul Lagasi]

Its nice seeing an animal so calm and peaceful in his surroundings....I know its been said but that rock... as your eyes scan from the bears faces and scans right...my eye seems to go right to the rock...wierd...stitching work's I've tried it a few times

[Morkel Erasmus]

really does look like an old-timer who's seen and experienced much about to throw in the towel and accept his fate. great stitching job, rock doesn't bother that much for me as the whole surrounding overall is very clean. super image Artie!

[Kiran Khanzode]

Very nice low angle, Art ! The bear is in a very thoughtful mood. I like the pano stitch.

I notice that you overexposed by +2/3 even though you had quite a low SS of 1/320 (for the 800mm lens) . Is that to control noise? Do you usually overexpose at high ISO's ? Your insight will be very useful for me.

Thx,
Kiran

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Kiran,

re:

Very nice low angle, Art ! The bear is in a very thoughtful mood. I like the pano stitch.

Thank you sir.

I notice that you overexposed by +2/3 even though you had quite a low SS of 1/320 (for the 800mm lens).

The new 800 f/5.6 has an improved IS system. !/320 sec. is relatively fast. I have made sharp images at speeds as slow as 1/6 sec.

Is that to control noise?

In part.

Do you usually overexpose at high ISO's ? Your insight will be very useful for me.

The ISO has little to do with it. I always expose so as to have data in the fifth box of the histogram, usually as far to the right as possible without clipping it. I suggest that you get a copy of ABP II, subscribe to Bulletins, and spend some time in the ER here on BPN. :)

[Sid Garige]

Fantastic details Artie. Very well composed image.

[Stu Bowie]

An amazing looking bear. These guys are so huge, and even lying down one can see how large this fellow is. Those battle scars certainly show he has been in a few scraps. Thanks for sharing Artie.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks all. By popular demand, here is the bear with the rock QMed away.