I am sure this will need some processing to clean up some things -so I am all ears and eyes.
I did intentionally preserve the shadows as that was part of the image's appeal to me. I did recover some blown highlights on the back as was suggested on another post under similar light
color may be off as I am having a monitor calibration issue that seems to show more red (and less warmth) only I export. (I just tried to calibrate my monitor in the last few days and it did not go well so waiting on vendor support as it likely is a "user" error)
canon 5d II, Manual, 1/800sec f/8 ISO 400 700mm with 500 f/4+1.4 TC
Steve, this is one healthy bear, and good to see the wet fur from being in the water. Comp wise, I would probably move him to the right, and leave space on the left to look into.
I agree with your comp thoughts...unfortunately, I had prepared for that when he was looking ahead....when he turned his head, I did not have enough behind his rump...
Hi Steve, I have taken the liberty to do a repost of your image with the extension of the canvas to the left and with a crop to the right. I hope you approve of the change. I have not taken images of bears before, so think that those you have taken are wonderful animals at a low angle, so well done. Maybe an idea to look at Shadows and highlights as an adjustment layer as the wet fur does become rather dark, especially when in the shadows, TFS
Thanks Mark, I do like it and I learned something....While I have been using LR3 and the Nik stuff for quite a while, I have danced around learning CS5...but became immersed in learning it this summer....was familiar with adding canvas but was not sure when and where. Glad to know it can be done in this manner.....have others I need to do from the bear trip as I got a number that filled the frame.....
Ii will look at lightening the shadows.....the image on my computer is not as dark as what exported....I actually am working with the coloreyes people right now to figure out what tweaks we need to make to get it right.
What a magnificent bear. I love the strong horizontal lines in the background, very graphic. I also love the strong contrast in the bear. I'm not at all bothered by the heavy shadows. Adding the canvas to change the comp is a worthwhile exercise in my view.
Yes a great Bear image Steve of a fine animal. I like the low angle and pose. I also agree with the comp suggestions but also find the shadows a little strong.
thanks Pieter....was really a beautiful, healthy looking animal....I agree with the comp....On the strength of shadows, saturation and reddish tint to bear and blueish water, looks like I have identified a color shift problem....just finished calibrating my monitor last night, but now need to figure why they look a bit differently when I post them here...a bit of a can of worms, but Roger, John and Morkel have all been a big help identifying the symptoms and pointing me towards a solution. Not really something I noticed until my bear postings and its pretty pronounced. the actual bear image I have is more golden, less intense in color and the shadow while strong, not nearly as strong as here....will do a repost with the right colors, itensities and added canvas when I figure the color issue out....
Thanks to all for their comments and help....without a doubt, it is helping me climb the ladder to where I want to be
Steve - the comp on the repost is an improvement. Hope you get your color issues sorted. I would prefer a bit more room below as well for the virtual feet. I like the mudflats as a bg and you did well with the highlights.
I like the dramatic sidelight and the pose here Steve...Mark has addressed my main concern which was placement and framing. With the bear looking to the LHS you needed much more space there to create an effective composition, showing the viewer where the animal is looking and creating tension - what could be in the distance catching its attention?
Colours do look much better than the previous one.