... and fell in love with a beautiful blonde!

[Gerald Kelberg]

Her name was Mabel. We spent a few happy hours together in Hallo Bay on the Katmai trip with Robert O'Toole this time last year. One very laid-back lady who wasn't in the slightest bit concerned about photographers and provided us with many wonderful shots.

Not sure about the PP, so would be pleased to have any comments or guidance. Adjusted colour balance a little, made selective adjustments to nose and eyes, cloned out some stray grasses and bright areas in background. Brightened and sharpened head and face.

EOS MkIII, 500 f/4 plus 2.0 extension (1000 mm)
1/500 sec at F/8, ISO 400
PP in LR2 and CS4

Best wishes,
Gerald

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Gerald, Love the stare and the paws. You have come within a hair's breadth of over-lightening the irises, or maybe you did... Especially considering the low contrast light.... Have done it many times myself. Nice bear. Next time that you are in this situation think stitched pano....

[Fabs Forns]

Such relaxed pose. I think the fur could use more density. How about adding some black to the neutrals in Selective Color?

The nails ARE impressive! No wonder the trees look like they do.

[Robert Amoruso]

Such relaxed pose. I think the fur could use more density. How about adding some black to the neutrals in Selective Color?

Good idea. You could also add black to the whites in SC too. Overall, the image looks a bit unsharp to me. I think it just needs some more sharpening.

[Morkel Erasmus]

agree on the sharpening. lovely close-up with a very peaceful pose captured. bear pops nicely!

Artie - once you start thinking about making a pano crop of an animal you either need to back your vehicle away or take off the teleconverter, hehe ;) :D

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi!

Many thanks for your suggestions. I have taken them on board and attached posting answers most - I think.

Artie - thanks - I have made a subtle darkening to the eyes. Seems to work. Next time... Yes, please!

Fabs - Photoshop skills now extended to include Selective Colour. Thanks! I used only a very delicate touch in this; she was a very blonde bear but the little extra black seems to have worked.

Robert and Morkel - Now added a touch of USM on the finished image 110/0.3/0. I found that the sharpening gave a nasty clash on some of the OOF fur so masked that.

She really was a wonderfully relaxed "model".

Best wishes,

Gerald

[Steve Canuel]

Beautiful bear and an excellent repost.

[Morkel Erasmus]

subtle differences but it has worked well!