Black Bear

[John Mack]

This image was created in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on 8/7/18 at 9:38AM. Image adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop.

Hand held, Cropped the road out in front of the bear.

Canon 5D MarkIV
Sigma 150-600 Contemporary
435mm
ISO 800
f6.3
1/1600sec

[Steve Kaluski]

I have a huge soft spot for Bears John, so this is a very nice departure from Deer.

Shame the subject wasn't further away from the BKG so you get the separation between the two, but like the stance & look away. Needs more below, but I assume the road was there and why you cropped reducing the space. Was this from a car or on foot, if on foot lower POV may have gained more below. Blacks again heavily clipped but you don't seem to mind the lose of detail, however the subject does require more selective sharpening. With the time of day and warmth I assume it's some heat haze in the BKG.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi John - A good look at the adult black bear. I understand you cropped to avoid the road but do feel it needs more below. Agree with Steve about the blacks. Comp works well.

TFS,
Rachel

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi John well a nice specimen of this species in your image. I do like the crop / comp and positioning of the subject .Colors do like nice and vivid to me , fitting well to the scene.
Agree with Steve & Rachel on the blacks and the need of a bit more room below. Nothing you can do about the BG ...so no issue for me.

TFS Andreas