Bear dispute

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 16, 2009195 views7 comments

Taken at the Russian Shores exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo.

Canon Rebel XSi, F-5, 1/400 ISO 400 55-250mm lens at 130mm hand held.

It was a tricking photo situation. The bears were in a shaded area of the exhibit, in the pool, behind glass, which appeared tinted. The background was in bright sun. The two male bears were having a good time play fighting in the pool. Latter in the afternoon the two boys and the single female were all sleeping together.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 16, 2009 at 12:00 PM

I used to live in Minnesota, and when I saw this picture I thought "hmm... that looks like the MN zoo"

I love the action, the water, and the teeth. I wish the bear in the FG was a little sharper - your slow shutter speed hurt you here. What was the ISO setting?

You should consider cropping this to a horizontal as the bright OOF rock at the top is distracting, and I'd like to see a little more of the bears.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Gomez on November 16, 2009 at 9:10 PM

Great action shot!

Registered on March 3, 2007, 206 Posts, 1853 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on November 17, 2009 at 9:18 AM

Hi John,

To me it looks like you did a very good job with a very difficult lighting situation. I'm surprised that the action is frozen as well as it is with a shutter speed of only 1/400s - well done. While I don't think I'd go fully horizontal with the crop, if the image were mine I'd consider cropping out that very bright rock along the top of the frame.

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on November 17, 2009 at 10:23 AM

Repost with the suggested crop. Thanks for the comment, I think it does help to focus attention on the bears.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on November 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM

You did very well in a difficult situation John. I like the framing on the sides, just enough space. The crop from the top in the repost makes the framing even better.

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on November 18, 2009 at 7:27 AM

The repost is much better, John! Bears seem to be having lots of arguments these days!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 19, 2009 at 10:59 AM

My first thought was to eliminate the white rock. I like the action and position of the players.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments