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Thread: Something different

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Default Something different

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    Again, another 'marmite' shot, but I'm always thinking about a different angle, approach and it will be interesting to see if anyone else latches onto my thinking here . Shot from the deck, leaning over I had to be very careful, not only that the PB would stand up quicker than my reactions, but also not to drop or fall, LOL.

    Can't wait to get back, but that is quite a while away, but nice to be invited back.

    Thanks to those who posted a reply to the previous posting.


    Steve

    Subject: Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) over head shot
    Location: Svalbard
    Camera: Canon 1DX MKI
    Lens: 500f/4 MKII with 1.4x MKIII HH
    Exposure: 1/2500s at f/8 ISO3200
    Original format: Landscape, slight crop
    Processed via: LR 'Classic' CC & PSCC2018

    Certainly the major upgrade in both LR & PS is very much welcomed, although those NIK lovers may need to reinstall.
    Last edited by Steve Kaluski; 10-26-2017 at 08:27 AM.

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    Hi Steve, I see where you are coming from here, it does look artistic, which I can appreciate. The claws and the fur around them look real good. Maybe a wee bit too much OOF with the head. I would try some of the RHS and make it more of a vertical crop, leaving the one eye in the frame. Just my take. I wouldn't like to fall on top of that, For sure

    Will

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    Steve, I like the idea and always try to think of shots that are a bit different myself. So I appreciate your posting. I could identify this as a polar bear without seeing your description. Seeing those claws close up is great too. Lethal weapons! I was wondering if the red on the head was blood from a recent kill. However, I think overall the shot is visually imbalanced. For these different perspectives and treatments to work for me, they need to have all the visual elements working together and in balance and I feel not so here. Seems you don't have much frame left to play with either so no options to recompose this which is the first thing I'd play with.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Steve - I've looked at the image a few times since this morning and I think my initial reaction is still my feeling. Love the claw and detail in the snow but I wish there was more of it and less oof head. Always good to experiment (and fun).

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Hi Steve -- I liked the thought process and the execution as well , almost gives the viewer your POV of this subject. Loved those claws , would also liked to see more of the claws in the frame than the head. Seems the PB had a nice meal .

    TFS !

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    This was my thinking and perhaps too subtle, it's 'implying', letting the viewer join the dots up...
    I wanted the head to be ‘visible’ to the point you know what it is, not anything more
    I wanted to try to have the connection with the blood stained nose & claws
    I didn’t want the blood to be sharp or head with detail, avoiding gore and the ‘obvious'
    I wanted to convey the ‘kill’ in a subtle way, but to illustrate via OOF blood and the sharp claws

    If you have to explain then the image doesn't work, I just wanted to create something that YOU have to perhaps think about rather that the standard, pedestrian head shot. Quirky yes, but it's all about getting the shot and then going a bit 'off-piste', away from the safe, but also to have fun too.

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    Hi Steve,

    I really like that you are pushing the envelope on this and obliging me to think about the shot.

    I think the concept is very engaging and it is a very different way to express the Polar Bear story. I don't think you needed to spell it out - it is all there in the image itself.

    The paw and the claws look really awesome!

    If I was to ever have the opportunity to take a similar shot, I would probably want to have less OOF head and more in focus snow and paw; and maybe more snout and only the side of the head - just one eye - maybe a portrait format. Depends how obliging the bear is, too, I guess...

    Regards, Gerald

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Certainly different and I find it interesting too. I love the details in the paw.
    (I don't think you can download NIK to work with 2018)

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Not to take it completely off-topic but NIK does work with PS 2018 and also DxO has bought NIK so it will live on in the near future: https://petapixel.com/2017/10/25/dxo...e-development/

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    A very good evening to you Steve,

    Truly an eye-opener, you really know how to grab the viewer

    This speaks to me, I love it when something gets my imagination going. Good photography means making good choices about what to show and what to leave out. Quite an experience, contemplating this mighty beast from above, I like the image design and thinking behind it. Superb detail on the paw and the brilliance of the ice beneath is exquisite. Love the subtle emphasis on the kill. May I order a copy, please?

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hey Steve well that is for sure a īmarmite īshot ....

    As i would never get that thing in my head in the field ...i lift my hat for guys like you in this case . But it does not grab me as presented , might work better in portrait and getting maybe the nose in.

    You said you wanted the to avoid the " gore factor " by choosing that DOF , well tell me how you would get detail in head and claws under the given circumstances and still have the tightness of the frame , without becoming the dessert for the PB ?

    Well worth experimenting , and i might remember this kinda shot in the field !

    Thanks for posting this special one , food for thought . Cheers Andreas

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    well tell me how you would get detail in head and claws under the given circumstances and still have the tightness of the frame , without becoming the dessert for the PB ?
    Simply focusing on the head & nose and not the claws, as you know from your marmot image, it's one or the other, but not both.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Thatīs what i said

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    I love it Steve! A great image. It all feels polar bear. No need to fix anything. It is just great!

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