Ice Bear family

[Nancy Bell]

Photographed this polar bear family while in far north Alaska this past Sept. Used fractalius and Topaz Impression, charcoal, plus various PS adjustments. I really like working with Impression, however on my machine it is a fairly slow process to see each change of the sliders. I have a name for sitting and waiting for my computer to process. I call it the Zen of computing. Ommmm.....

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hey, Nancy, this is very cooooolllll I seem to like the Charcoal setting that you and Michael have been using. I'll need to try it out. Ah, yes, the zen of waiting.

[Bob Smith]

Very artistic--great job Nancy.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Love the very narrow tonal range and the processing. Very well done Nancy. I usually go make a cup of tea, but I like the sound of the Zen better.............

[Mitch Carucci]

Nancy,

That image works really well with the charcoal effect. I am sure you had to add many tweaks in PS also. I really like it!

[Paul Lagasi]

Sweet pose, must have been something to see this bear family. Barrow? Some day I'll see one. Love the effect.

[Anita Bower]

My first thought was how lucky you were to be able to take this photo!!! It would be a real treat for me.

Wonderful image--mom and two cubs. Love the processing. Really excellent. Looks like a drawing. Lovely tones. Excellent work all around.

If it Impressions is slow on your computer, I shudder to think of it on mine. Haven't tried it. Your image tempts me, though.

[Nancy Bell]

Thanks all! Seeing and photographing polar bears was a HUGE thrill! We drove up the Pipeline Rd to Dead Horse and then flew in a small chartered plane to some remote island where the bears come to feed on the whale carcasses. The village has permission to harvest 3 whales and the bears seem to know when and where that happens. They hang around on the sand spits and wait.

[Diane Miller]

What an adventure, and a great image from it! I need to lock myself in a room with Impressions and learn to use it.

[Hazel Grant]

Wow, the story of how you got there ,etc makes this even more exciting! Good for you!
Love the charcoal effect. And, I think my 7 year old Mac is your computer's zen cousin. Hope it lives a bit longer.
Again, great work.

[Wendy Kates]

I love the charcoal effect as well, Nancy. And Topaz Impressions became a lot faster when I upgraded my 5 year old Mac!

[Nancy Bell]

Thanks, Diane, Hazel and Wendy! I hope to learn patience from my computer !

[Terry Johnson]

Nancy, a wonderful image. It looks like a BXW water color with pen work to enhance. Nice job...Terry Johnson

[Dennis Bishop]

I have to admit I wonder about cropping some off the bottom to change the vertical location of the bears, but I really, really like this. The subtle colors combined with all the whites and grays and the outlining makes this very appealing. The original shot with the mother looking at you and the cubs apparently oblivious is good, but your processing has made it even better. I like it so much I can bearly stand it.