Big Boy on patrol

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi all ...just another bear from Kamtchatka .
Same location as previous post , Kuril Lake , just the next morning ...what a change , fog and cold air .
This male was controlling that area , just with his presence ... a real big guy.
Hope you like it , i kept the contrast low so that the foggy feeling stayed within the posting.

Canon EOS 1Dx II
EF 500 IS L II + 1,4 TC
Tripod

F 5,6 ; Iso 2000 ; 1/2000 sec .; man exp ; Auto Iso

Processed with C1 and PS CC 2018 ; cropped for comp slightly .

Thanks for watching and commenting to my previous posting .

Cheers Andreas

[John Mack]

Love the mood you have captured here. Nice pose on this big boy as well. Background is excellent.

[Steve Kaluski]

A solid portrait Andreas, with nice detail and with that set up DoF looks spot on. Not sure if it's the laptop, or... there is a hint of colour noise in the chest & lower? Keeping the FG light personal choice perhaps, but would need to see the raw /location before saying definitely it needs bolstering.

Personal I feel the Katmai bears and location have the edge.

TFS
Steve

[Basil Dardagan]

Cheepers he looks a force to be reckoned with..... A great result with what looks to me to be challenging lighting and a challenging background. The low angle works a treat in portraying how imposing this chap is.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Andreas - He does look big and seems to have a don't mess with me attitude too. I like the foggy feel to this. The pov and down the barrel look work here. Nice one.

TFS,
Rachel

[Andreas Liedmann]

Thanks John, Basil , Steve and Rachel for your kind comments , much appreciated .

Steve - no color noise , a hint of reddish tone in the fur. Became more obvious in the LowRes file ..... !! No idea who has the edge ...these guys are big enough for my liking. Many of them looked odd in terms of their coats , as they were still wearing the winter fur in parts . For me the FG is fine ....more or less as shot. Wait a few days and i will post some real fog stuff ....this was just little foggy .

Thanks again ...cheers Andreas

[Steve Kaluski]

No idea who has the edge ...these guys are big enough for my liking.

At over 1000lbs shooting with a 16-35mm tested your nerve.

Wait a few days and i will post some real fog stuff ....this was just little foggy

Can't wait too long!!!

[Andreas Liedmann]

I have used the 16 -35, too .....but not very close range . Just close range ...the guy with the gun in his hands forced me and the bear to step back .

We have been the second group in the season , at that location, so the bears were somehow not that used to human presence . The " Ranger " ( a young fella with a old gun ) also just arrived with the first group ....

[Steve Kaluski]

No firearms allowed on Katmai, all we had was two distress flares and some gentle taking, simply being respectful is often all you need.

[Andreas Liedmann]

All Rangers on Kamchatka carrying shotguns .... and distress flares . As far as I know ( or better said being told ) no stress between bears and humans ...
Before we go too much off topic ........enough about this .
Have a good night

[haseeb badar]

Hi Andreas -- A superb capture ! Loved the framing and feel of the mist. Nice perspective and excellent details and IQ . I think the Bear's face can easily do with a round of sharpening ? or is it just me .

Excellent image.
TFS !

[Andreas Liedmann]

Thanks Haseeb for your feedback , much appreciated .
From my POV no more sharpening needed .
Cheers Andreas