Wildlife Karma

[Gary "Jake" Jacobson]

I used up all of my animal Karma with this close encounter with this black bear in the Grand Tetons National Park. This particular bear was about 30 feet away as I captured this image over the shoulder of a park ranger. This image was captured with a Canon EOS 40D, 100-400 IS Lens, shot details: 1/400, f6.3, ISO 500.

I would appreciate any feedback you could offer on this image.

Thanks,

[Grady Weed]

Well you definitely caught his attention with a square on eye to eye contact. And I really like the wild edge of the woods meadow clearing look here. It looks natural to me. You also have nice placement with him leading you in the frame and room to walk in. The left side of the head and eye socket is a bit dark and shadowed. A touch soft. But you got a bear image! And that alone rocks.

[Robert Amoruso]

Jake,

I agree with Grady on the composition and head-on look. Well done.

I felt some tonal tweaks might help enhance the image and posted an alternate version.

I first did a reverse s-curve followed by a shadows/highlights correction in PS (http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=20434). I also did a Hue/Saturation correction and lowered the red by -20%.

[Gary "Jake" Jacobson]

Thanks Grady and Robert! I appreciate the feedback and suggestions! I'll give it a try.

Best Regards,