Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: The Ice Bear

  1. #1
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default The Ice Bear

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    OK, perhaps one last image before packing my 'bucket & spade' and head off to warmer climates, however I may squeeze one more image in tomorrow, if time allows.

    One from the archives, but I do think, it's important that we all try to showcase different animals when we can, plus having the opportunity/experience to do so will always help improve your photograph IMHO.

    Shot from an almost stationary ship albeit reasonably small, as it carved through the pack ice. A nice opportunity to photograph one of my favourite animals, the Polar Bear, at times hard to locate because of the vast expanse and being a very similar colour to the environment . Can be a little challenging as Rachel knows when the ship has that slight rolling motion to always keep the subject 'in frame' LOL, but you can easily deal with this.

    Thanks for either viewing or commenting on the previous image.

    Steve

    Subject: Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus), standing on ice pack, head to camera
    Location: Svalbard
    Camera: Canon 1D MKIII
    Lens: 500f/4
    Exposure: 1/1600's at f/6.3 ISO400 HH
    Original format: Portrait, slight
    Processed: LR6 2015 & PS CC2015

  2. #2
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hello Steve!

    Hope the "bucket and spade" are packed and you're ready to go on holiday - for now I am happy to view this frame from the archives, even though I keep checking for more owl images in the Avian Forum. You are such a versatile photographer and I enjoy your work tremendously, you can so easily tap into "what is there" and enhance it every so slightly, you always seem to know what is worthy of appreciation and so skilfully manage to engage the viewer.

    I have no idea what the lighting conditions were at the time you took this image, all I can say is I like the warmth despite the apparent coldness of the ice, for it demands a certain mood. I have genuine admiration for the way in which you selected and highlighted the valuable features of this frame, creating this wonderful 3D feel and placing the subject in a prominent position. Love the (almost defiant) pose and placement of the bear in the frame. I have never had any ambition to visit this corner of the world (Svalbard), now I look forward to visiting such a place in the future, simply because you managed to paint it in such beautiful colours.

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  3. #3
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    LOL, I always have a chuckle when I read your replies, they are just such a great read and I'm sure we are ALL richer for it.

    Yep, almost there, just trying to squeeze the bucket in, but will be taking some photo kit with me, will try and do some avian bits if the locals play ball, but sadly no owls in the Caribbean, just sun, sea, white sand, turtles and some very nice drinks with cherries and umbrellas in them, may even do some diving .

    The conditions were slightly overcast, you do NOT want brilliant sunshine, could be a tad hard on the exposure. Remember this is only a 10m px camera so think what a D4/1DX would do . The subject did the hard work in posing, I just had to press a button every now and then, but have learnt so much since this was taken, hence as I said, we are constantly evolving, changing and progressing the more we do, both 'in the field' and 'in our processing' as technology and software improves.

    I keep checking for more owl images in the Avian Forum.
    I'll leave one for you from the resent session last week.

    Cheers for now and thanks.

  4. #4
    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    ENGLAND LANCASHIRE
    Posts
    5,106
    Threads
    360
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What can I say after Gabriela comments,only to say a very nice image,good IQ.

  5. #5
    Lifetime Member Ákos Lumnitzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    1,560
    Threads
    71
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve
    Really nice image mate. I love the broken up ice and the tones in the sky.
    The vertical comp and framing gives great depth to this shot.
    Well done!

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Nagpur, India
    Posts
    3,837
    Threads
    245
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve -- A very pretty frame ! i liked the comp, the ice can easily handle the Bears weight ,also you brilliantly exposed the whites . Can u share the histogram reading of this shot ?

  7. #7
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve - I think this is one of my favorites of your pb images. The pose with the head turn and the excellent detail in the ice and fur combine to make this one memorable. Love the bits of blue coming through in the ice too. Have a great time. I can't remember if perhaps there are iguanas as subjects too there.

    Haseeb - you can see the histogram on any image if you save the image and open it PS.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  8. #8
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Can u share the histogram reading of this shot ?
    Haseeb, I'm just packing so it will have to wait till I return, sorry.


    Thanks Rachel, no Iguanas, only turtles, fishes, birds etc and the cameras are staying on land, although one is on it's way back this afternoon from Canon, after some Cardiac massage!!!

    Haseeb - you can see the histogram on any image if you save the image and open it PS.
    This will not be the original one Rachel, it's 'Post' event and images need to be converted back to RGB.

  9. #9
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Yes, Steve, I thought Haseeb wanted to see the histogram of the image as posted. Maybe he can clarify.

  10. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Thousand Oaks, California, United States
    Posts
    3,023
    Threads
    416
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Lovely PB on ice. The vertical is a good choice here as it shows off the OOF ice and sky. Techs are good as usual. Very nice colors. TFS. Loi

  11. #11
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A lovely "bearscape" Steve - nice layers and that soft diffused polar light, with good colour variation on the bear.
    Enjoy the warmer climate!
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  12. #12
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    17,017
    Threads
    2,604
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like this image very much indeed, the bear really dominates the scene and the texture of the coat is well rendered.

  13. #13
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Nagpur, India
    Posts
    3,837
    Threads
    245
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Rachel for the info will keep that in mind but I wanted to see the histogram of the original file , just for learning purpose !

  14. #14
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    5,444
    Threads
    444
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice shot Steve. Really like the clarity and feel of this one.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics