Patience is a virtue

[Steve Kaluski]

Taken very early in the morning on one of Katmai's inlets, The light was grey and dismal and an hour later the heaven opened. This little fellow had been sitting for quite some time watching the salmon flow upstream, poised to make his strike and claim his prize. Well shortly after taking this shot he did get his prize, only to lose it, as it slipped from his grasp. Sadden and dripping wet, he reassumed his position back on the gravel bank and 'stuck the pose'.

Steve
MKIII 500f/4 1/250sec f/5.6 ISO400 (Wimberley head/Gitzo tripod, FF slight crop for presentation)
Minimal work in PS: Levels, Curves, minimal USM

[Robert Amoruso]

Steve,

Well composed and I like that the horizontal line in the BG is above the bear. Good details in the fur w/o blocked up shadows due to soft light.

What camera was used? Reason I ask is that Canon 1D Mark III or IV can easily shot at ISO 800 getting you higher shutter speed.

[Morkel Erasmus]

I love the colours, light and all-round feel here Steve...crisp details and endearing image

I like the rim-lit fur too

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Robert it was the MKIII. I have found in low light it appears to suffer occasionally at 800+ hence my default 400. One of the bodies is the third one from Canon, but both I feel need updating now after heavy usage. I am patiently waiting for the next in line from the MKIV, as they need to release one before the end of the year due to the Olympics.

Wish I could have some of the nice weather from FL

cheers
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Steve - I like the rim light and the look of concentration on the bear. Nice detail and comp too. Is the yellow in the bg seaweed at the high tide line?

TFS,
Rachel

[Grace Scalzo]

Most appealing to me are the many layers of the landscape. Of course the bear with the rim-lit fur, great texture, and nice pose don't hurt either.

[Hilary Hann]

This tells a wonderful story Steve, no words really necessary. Beautiful light on the bear, the pose is very expressive and the layered background with its golden tones wraps it all up. Nice point of view as well. I hope this little bear got his fish in the end. Especially like the hind paw with all its great detail.

[Steve Canuel]

Hey Steve,
Nice pose and detail in that bear. I also really like the golden colors and light and how they're offset by the cooler color of the stream.

[Harshad Barve]

Excellent techs, sharp, well exposed.
TFS

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Steve, I really like the bear's thought provoking pose, and the air of expectancy you captured here. Great techs as always and the detail in the bear is excellent, like the different lines all running same way in the BG..
cheers
Grant

[Grady Weed]

As Robert mentioned, the line above the bear is handled well. Nice rim light and the fur is not blocked up, but has nice details.