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Thread: Grizzly Portrait

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    Default Grizzly Portrait

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    Mark 3, ISO 400, 1/250, +1 ev, 700mm, tripod, cropped for composition. I tried to recover the whites to minimize the distraction.

    She kept coming closer & closer to me. It was impossible to change the lens or remove the 1.4X teleconverter. Needless to say, it was an exciting moment. This is the closest I have ever been to a wild grizzly sow with or without her 2 coys.


    Andrew

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Andrew,
    like the look of the bear to the right in here.On the subject itself , you could do some more contrast and usm to improve it and a tighter crop from the top could also help.
    The killer here is the snow , which really destroys the image as presented.I think too big to clone that snow out. Just tried it not too big .
    WDYT?
    Andreas

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Andrew, firstly a big difference in your posting within 24hrs and things are looking really good. You certainly have come far from when we first met all those years ago, the standard of your photography and PP has really come on and it looks like the help Rachel gave on the last post has really benefitted your processing, well done.

    Based on your intro I think perhaps there was a combination of excitement & getting the shots and so you may not have been as observant when looking through the viewfinder, hence the distracting snow patches in the BKG. We have all been there, plus, with the set-up it might not have given you the flexibility in moving or re composing the shot? Personally I think it's one of those shots we just accept the BKG for what it is. If there was time, perhaps a quick review of the image might have flagged this up, but I appreciate time can be the deciding factor, but there will always be next time and hopefully comments & feedback to this image will put you in good stead for next time.

    The detail, sharpness all looks good and nice clarity in those eyes. I know Grizzly coats come in different shades & patches of colour, but have you lightened any part of the bear ie in the chest by the trim edge and or the RHS of the face as viewed? I just thought the face might have a little more shade to it, just a thought. I would agree that a tighter crop such as Andreas has suggested would help, but leave the snow in. Without seeing the RAW it's difficult to know if it's all blown, or whether you could extract some detail, tone and lessen the 'highlight' as such.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Thanks Steve. While it was an exciting experience, there were snow patches all over the area the bear was moving through. Every POV had snow in the view finder. So, as you stated, I have to live with the BG. I was @ 700mm because when I first spotted the bear she was more than 100 yds. away. She got close very quickly. The snow in the RAW file is blown. I have already tried to recover some detail in the snow as presented in the OP.

    I lightened the in side her ears & her right eye. Otherwise, the bear's light face is what she looked like. Should I do something different with the right eye?

    I will try a tighter crop as you & Andreas have suggested.

    Andreas, thanks for your suggestions. While I like the tighter crop, I think your version is a bit too sharp. I will try your suggestions on the raw file. Do you think I should crop some from the bottom?
    Andrew

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Andrew,
    the reason why my version looks awfully sharp , is i cropped it and then upsampled the image back to OP size.Just wanted to show the direction to go , from my POV. There is a big loss in IQ in upsampling a web image, as far as i know.

    Cheers Andreas

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I lightened the in side her ears & her right eye. Otherwise, the bear's light face is what she looked like. Should I do something different with the right eye?
    No, leave as is, it was just an observation.

    Might be worth investing in a second body Andrew, then when she comes that close you can use either the 100-400, or 70-200.

    Andreas sometimes it might be worth posting the RP slightly smaller to help IQ ie 1024 to 800 wide, as the viewers will get the idea you are trying to convey.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Andreas sometimes it might be worth posting the RP slightly smaller to help IQ ie 1024 to 800 wide, as the viewers will get the idea you are trying to convey.

    Steve - learned my lesson.

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    Ken Watkins
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    Andrew,

    Great image, the snow in the BG is not helping, but then I am not obsessed with backgrounds

    The subject itself is wonderful, an image where the 200-400mm would have come in very handy!

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    I dont have a problem with the background, its what was there and conveys the climate, great memory of an amazing encounter. I prefer yours to the edited version which looks very unnatural to me

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    Ken Watkins
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    Quote Originally Posted by Davidwilliams View Post
    I dont have a problem with the background, its what was there and conveys the climate, great memory of an amazing encounter. I prefer yours to the edited version which looks very unnatural to me
    Me too

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Andrew, I know perfectly well the adrenaline rush that comes from being approached at this distance by a predator! I've made some interesting shooting choices in those situations .
    I think the clarity/sharpness of the bear in your OP is spot-on. The snow being clipped is unfortunate. I like that it's part of the scene, so wouldn't remove it.
    Did you consider turning the camera in the vertical position here? Might have fit the bear in?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post
    Did you consider turning the camera in the vertical position here? Might have fit the bear in?
    Frankly Morkel, I did not. It's a very good suggestion. I looked at the RAW image when I read your suggestion & I think a vertical image would have been too tight in the frame as there would be too little space for the bear to look into on the right.
    Andrew

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Andrew - This looks really good. Although the snow is blown and lacks detail, it is not as distracting because it's not as bright. Nice detail and pose.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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