The 'Bigger' picture

[Steve Kaluski]

Something I need to start to do, shoot wider.

It's easy when you constantly use a 500 or 800 as the contents are fixed, but I do feel that occasionally we need to think/shoot wider, to show scale, or environment, or even to show a different view point. I know Morkel likes to do this and has had some good results, but it is so difficult to break the habit. Saying that this was taken with the 500.

This was shot as we edged closer to the Polar Bear on the ice, as the pack ice was starting to form.

Steve
MKIII 500f/4 1/1600 f/9 ISO400 (From the deck of the ship, still moving/rolling with vibration, late morning)

[Harshad Barve]

Lovely wide angle scape Steve , I liked this very much as posted , can feel the place:)

(From the deck of the ship, still moving/rolling with vibration, late morning)

Must say very impressive and Hats off to your techniques :)

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Steve, lovely feeling of space created by the big chunk of blue sky and the depth emphasized by the receding ice in the BG, very nice shot
TFS
Grant

[Rachel Hollander]

Steve - Strong image and really like the feel this conveys. The gull adds to the shot. I suppose it's hoping for some scraps. I still might take a little off the top.

The lesson is one I have to learn too - shoot at least a few shots wide.

TFS,
Rachel

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Steve

Glad you brought up that point !!! Love seeing the larger picture rather than going tight ! Both have use but wee seem to think tight more often.... one point in going wide you will have less keepers but worth it !!

Great mood and sure like the light, enhances mood !! Big Congrats !!

[nothsafoto]

As nature photographers I find the Americans and British tend to go more for the closer, frame filling shots as a general rule. The European photographers and especially the Scandinavian togs tend to do more environmental shots like this one. I personally like to see both versions and they both have their merits. The idea of pulling focus out a bit is a difficult one to do when you are used to framing tight but it definately adds to a lot of images and gives us more versatility in our shooting.

Great shot BTW.

[Morkel Erasmus]

nice shot Steve - I really like the layered comp and again how the red contrasts with the white and blue. I would shave just a tad off the empty sky on top, but still keep the rectangular perspective.

the way I do it is simply to keep my second camera body fitted with the wide angle lens for the close-up wide angles, and using a zoom helps for the further shots to give you a few more options, at the expense of the sharpness of a prime (I would probably own a prime already if I had the money ;))

[Hilary Hann]

Steve, I love to see wider wildlife images but I've noticed that some which I think are really worthwhile get the comment that they should be in the landscape forum. I do think there is a place in the wildlife forum for wider shots where the wildlife are well into their environment and where the image could be placed in either this or the landscape forum, but would like to see more stay here to emphasise the point that they are a valid wildlife image.

This is a lovely image and I too am impressed by your tech skills from the boat!

Morkel, I travel like you, 2 bodies with one having the longest combination I have (300 + 1.4tc) and one having my wide angle zoom. Works well for me, especially when I don't get too excited and mess up my techs. :o

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks guys.

Yep, pays to have a variety of options at your disposal when out in the field. In a jeep that's fine, but hauling gear around isn't much fun. My general backpack is 22kg plus tripod & head, enough to keep the most fittest, fit, LOL.:D The only think to remember Hilary is, out of your bag they collect dust very easily. I tend to use covers that cover the whole lens & camera with hood. Water tight too when it rains as for both uses it saves a lot of time & money.

Steve ;)

[Hilary Hann]

Steve, good points.

[D. Robert Franz]

Great enviromental image here (which I love)...........

[Steve Canuel]

I like how the layers of ice and water give a sense of the wide open environment.