Jaws, Paws, & Claws!

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 17, 20082,469 views20 comments

Just in case there's anyone out there who isn't sick of seeing grizzly images...one more...

When presenting seminars on wildlife photography I commonly discuss the importance of effectively capturing the eye of your subject. And, if possible, the paws & claws. And, if you're really lucky...the teeth. Well...as you can imagine, these guys absolutely made my day when they gave me this! Thanks fellas...I appreciate the cooperation!

Subject: Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos)
Location: Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada
Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: Nikon 200 mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR lens paired with a 1.4x TC-14EII teleconverter (280 mm equivalent) - handheld (balanced on pontoon of floating zodiac). VR turned to "On" and in "Normal" mode.
Exposure: 1/500s at f3.5. ISO 800. No compensation from matrix metered exposure.

All the contextual information surrounding this shot (field notes, all camera settings and processing details, conservation, etc.) can be found at:

http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/mammals/bears/detail_65.html.

Thanks in advance for any feedback on this image.

Cheers...

Brad

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on June 17, 2008 at 2:55 PM

Brad,

that is exactly what I try to explain as well. A good eye contact is very important. Of course other things like the paws, etc. add additional interst / drama to the image.

Well done by the way, and thanks for your explanations

Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments

Comment posted by Durwood Edwards on June 17, 2008 at 3:09 PM

Excellent!

I see you got the frontal shot of the "calm one"! (or did you edit?)

Registered on December 8, 2006, 116 Posts, 394 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 17, 2008 at 3:11 PM

Hi Durwood,

Not sure what you meant by the comment, but I didn't edit.

Hope all is going well...thanks for all the book suggestions!

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Kim Kaiser on June 17, 2008 at 7:00 PM

whoa!!.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 45 Posts, 370 Comments

Comment posted by Durwood Edwards on June 17, 2008 at 7:58 PM

Just a lame reference to your observation back in the Khutz, of the excitement enjoyed by one of the battling bears!

It IS an outstanding photo!

Registered on December 8, 2006, 116 Posts, 394 Comments

Comment posted by Shane McDermott on June 18, 2008 at 12:45 AM

Beauty Brad, Great action capture! Good use of equipment and settings.

Love it!

Registered on November 12, 2007, 49 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on June 18, 2008 at 5:30 AM

Excellent image Brad, a gripping image full of action. This one made me look more than twice! The square crop seems to work well here.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Dale Gardner on June 18, 2008 at 6:00 AM

WOW! Just totally spectacular.

Registered on November 9, 2007, 35 Posts, 109 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on June 19, 2008 at 1:26 AM

Brad, this is just excellent. The action says it all... can't wait to go back sometime

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on June 20, 2008 at 11:01 AM

It is amazing, sometimes action is captured in a way that it becomes 'state of art' ! Certainly you can't ask for more.

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Tomalty on June 20, 2008 at 12:40 PM

Very nice image. It has it all. Well done.
Cheers
Rick T

Registered on October 11, 2006, 212 Posts, 1610 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Truong on June 21, 2008 at 6:31 AM

Nice photo, but only 2nd best compared to the dueling polar bear photo you have on your site. Those testosterone driven pups are not as well groomed as those other smooth killing machines.

You have a nice series of wolves and bears in general. I especially like that some of them are clearly taken "in the moment" to capture something a little different at the right time. It's not just about claws and teeth, for example you have a photo of a bear that looks pissed at the flies, and I think the photo captures what the guy must be thinking. It's just like sport photos, it's easy to take someone at rest, but difficult to snap the crutial moment that describes the effort/intensity/emotion...

I envy what you've seen and photographed.

Registered on August 7, 2006, 25 Posts, 186 Comments

Comment posted by Don George on June 21, 2008 at 9:14 PM

Brad, Fantastic image! The water trails coming of their claws is great. Great catch light in the eye.

Registered on November 9, 2007, 13 Posts, 50 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on June 23, 2008 at 8:58 PM

These guys fit very nicely into that square format, though I wonder what other options were available for cropping. I actually really like the strip of green grass at the top because it reminds me that there are colors besides brown in this land of abundance (especially of and for bears).

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 23, 2008 at 10:12 PM

Hi Kent,

This image is almost full-frame - only a little cropped off each side (and virtually none off the top). Thought this might help you get a feel for cropping options...

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Barry R. Byrd on June 24, 2008 at 10:49 PM

this one makes me smile Brad- outstanding work and a well deserved EP

Registered on December 20, 2005, 136 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by raymond j barlow on July 18, 2008 at 9:26 PM

fantastic image Brad, a classic book cover shot.

Registered on March 29, 2007, 218 Posts, 964 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 17, 2009 at 10:05 AM

Awesome Brad..and I reserve that terminology for only the most the elite "awesome" ;-}}
The action is well enhanced with that water flying everywhere, and it adds a great sense of movement.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on August 19, 2009 at 5:08 PM

Brad. I always love an action shot and this ticks all the boxes for me. Sharpness, composition and mood. I looks really cold as well.

Nice one. Another keeper.

Neal Cooper

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on August 19, 2009 at 5:08 PM

Brad. I always love an action shot and this ticks all the boxes for me. Sharpness, composition and mood. I looks really cold as well.

Nice one. Another keeper.

Neal Cooper

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments