Hi Jonathan -- Nicely framed as the subject are symmetrically positioned in the frame. I feel this is better processed as compared to the previous images from this series. The Cub looks intent on something ? Nicely standing on that log . The inclusion of environment gives some feel of the conditions and their habitat. I liked this one better .
Hi Jon, nice capture of the cub on the log looking alert and I like the inclusion of Mum too, albeit a tad high in frame, but the Silver birch is a killer object for me, sorry. Nothing you could do, but if this is in front of the hide I might have taken a saw with me on the next visit . You could, if careful, drop the tonal range down a bit, but....
Now I have seen the RAW so I know you could have upped the Exposure by another 2/3rds and get more to the RHS with clipping, however you would then need to have upped the ISO to retain SS. I also think you need to review the Case setting here. I don't think you are too far off on the processing (albeit subjective), all I might do is get some more tonal depth in the FG grass and perhaps drop the Exposure a tad at the top to bring more to the cub.
Thank you Steve, I replied to your email before looking at this post so having read your comments here I think I am on the right track. Thanks for taking time in processing. The Case setting was an over site, it was on that particular one because I had not reset it from when I had been photographing hares. I use a re set Case 3 for 95% of the time (-2,2,2 for BIF), as I use central spot and surround for most of the time I wouldn't have thought the setting mattered a great deal as the points won't have far to wander. I used a soft light layer on the foregound but note you have better detail than I did. Hopefully my next post will be a little better again.
Hi Jon - Cute pose with the cub leaning on the log. Do you know how old the cub is roughly? It looks bigger than the 2nd and 3rd year cubs I just photographed. I like the watchful mom in the bg but would also prefer her just a bit lower in the frame. I really like what Steve has done with the frame.