Polar Bear

[Rachel Hollander]

It has been a while since I posted a polar bear so I thought I would post one. Taken in August 2013 in the waters north of Svalbard.

5D3
300 II plus 2x III
1/1600
f5.6
ISO 800
Monopod from moving boat, cropped to straighten and for comp, luminosity mask, levels, curves, selective color adjustments, sharpened in CCPS.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Rachel, good placement in the frame, and well exposed on the big guy - the fur shows up nicely. I like the layered FG and BG, and always wonder what is the correct tone/ colour of the snow/ice.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stu - thanks. I'm not sure there really is a correct tone/color of the ice. I found that it is largely dependent on the light and conditions at the time of capture. In this one it was overcast, flatter light so I left the cooler, bluer look.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Nancy Bell]

Rachel, nice that you could capture this polar bear with her head tipped towards you and the eye visible. I also like the layers of ice, snow and blue water. These are the colors I would expect in these conditions.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Rachel,
like the overall image design and agree about that quirky look of the bear.Nicely processed with good tone and depth in the various areas.I might reduce the blues in the bear itself.
Regarding the blueness on a overcast day, i feel after revisiting my files from Svalbard they look more grey than blue, by knowing i cannot exactly compare…………. just a feeling from my side.When i look at my images taken on a bright (not only sunny ) say they look more blueish.
Just my thoughts.

TFS Andreas

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Rachel,

Just the other night I was wondering whether I should ask you "when are you going to show us some more polar bears?". I am fascinated with the various nuances of white in those images, and with the way in which the subject stands out, even though a shade of white itself. The comp is great and I like the space you have given the bear, allows for a good view of the environment. Just something I have noticed: the bear's nose is "twitching" as if she smelt something beneath the ice, perhaps she is in pursuit of some prey?

Well exposed and I like to see all that detail on the subject, very thoughtful processing, great work Rachel

Warmest regards,

[Morkel Erasmus]

A lovely image, Rachel. I like the cool tones in this one and the pose. Perhaps needs a hint of CW rotation?
Some of my friends are just up there right now again!

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Rachel, another good PB from you. Love the pose here and the sharpness and detail on the bear. I see some shadow and from the techs, thinking you had some nice diffused light. I'd suggest warming up the image a tad. Loi

[Neil Burton]

I would love to be up there, man this is a nice example of a polar bear, ice and water. I find the blue tones of the ice work fine but maybe Mr bear needs a touch less coolness?

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the comments and suggestions very much.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Rachel, I have to say I'm a little unsure about the overall colour and I wonder if the blue has been emphases by the additional luminosity layer, personally I thought it might be a tad less blue overall? In doing so the PB becomes a little warmer too, which I think would help? Good detail and I like the crunchy FG pack ice. Was pondering about loosing some off the foot, so you have a clean trim edge, but??? Query twist of the nose .

TFS
Steve

[edwardselfe]

Agree with Steve and Morkel. Perhaps a slight CW rotation (to level pads of feet) and slight warming of WB.
Otherwise, as with all your PB images, it's beautiful.
ED

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Steve and Ed, I'll play with it a bit.

[vishaljadhav]

Interesting exposure, its a difficult one with all those whites
i like the composition
the nose is it trying to smell something