Young Sentry

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 9, 2011200 views9 comments

You'd think with all the bears Jenaya and I and our family see, I'd have a collection of images that would knock your socks off.

Not so much.

I don't know what it is with this species (black bears)...they've long been a favourite of mine (since childhood), but they just defy me to get a geat shot, much less a strong portfolio. But I can't quit...I'm addicted to them and the pursuit, and know that one day all the time and gas money spent chasing them will pay off...hopefully in a solid collection and not just a single epic shot.

I don't think this is my best cub shot from this year, but I still can't believe I got anything at all. My wife offered to drive the truck so Jaye and I could bail out if we saw anything on a drive in Waterton Lakes National Park recently, and we rounded the second corner of a mountain road to see this guy and his mom and sibling crossing quickly. Surprisingly, he stopped and stood up to make sure everything was OK, and while my wife whipped the truck over to a pull-out on the opposite side of the road, I rolled down the window, grabbed my camera and squeezed. I had a hard time finding and holding him in the frame as the truck rapidly decelerated and dropped onto the gravel beside the blacktop, but this one of 5 frames captured actually worked. Keep in mind I was shooting with a 300mm f/4 that does not have VR, and even with the higher SS I can see movement from all the bouncing in the other images. As I squeezed this shot off, the truck came to a stop, rocking me forward of course, but somehow the capture was made at just the right time momentum wise. :) It's not razor sharp, but I decided to be a little lenient all things considered.

I like how this cub is standing guard as his mom and sibling retreat into the forest. Jenaya and I found a safe place to photograph them further from up the road, but the incredulity I felt when I actually captured something my daughter didn't beat me at makes this a favourite.

I also was quite appreciative he chose to stand in some decent vegetation, though just a couple weeks earlier he would have been absolutely surrounded by wildflowers here.

I'd appreciate your comments and critiques for improvement...this is presented full-frame and with minimal processing, though I did blend two exposure layers to try and open the shadows on the left side of the bear's face (camera right).

Nikon D7000
Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S
ISO 400
1/1000sec @ f/4
from open window of a still-moving truck ;)
full-frame

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on August 9, 2011 at 7:38 PM

John, I like the curious look of the bear here. I think it is the moment that makes this photo great. Although even at the larger size you have posted here I don't see any technical issues. I think you got a nice composition here - especially given the circumstances. Thanks for sharing this!!

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on August 9, 2011 at 9:12 PM

This is one fine image, especially considering the circumstances ! I am in agreement with Brian assessment that it is "the moment that makes this" !

Wish the rework on the left eye were a little more subtle.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on August 9, 2011 at 9:33 PM

Hi again - thanks for the comments, Brian and Anand!

Just for clarification, there actually is minimal "rework" on the left eye...I think what you're noticing is an unfortunate circumstance of the angle of light and pose/positioning of the cub's head, allowing just a sliver of light to hit only part of his eye. It bothered me, too...but I decided I liked the image enough to not let that "kill" it.

Thanks again!

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Hayden on August 9, 2011 at 10:31 PM

From a moving truck yet. Some guys have all the luck. This is a great shot, and I'm sorry but I have absolutely no criticism. Nice work.

Registered on November 21, 2009, 41 Posts, 201 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on August 9, 2011 at 11:39 PM

Hi John. I like the upright pose, and the larger file does seem to portray more detail. In an ideal world I would have liked it if the trunk behind the bear was more to the LHS with the cub in front of a 'clean' green BG, but given the circumstances you describe I can understand that this was almost a 'grab shot'

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 10, 2011 at 1:40 AM

Hi John, really shaping up to be quite the year for bears for you folks. Hard to beat a little bear cub standing up for the camera for sheer cuteness factor! You are lucky to have a pilot for your photo vehicle that made this photo happen at all, way to go Mrs. Launstein.

The light is just a tad harsh, but not even your wife could have helped with that. The bokeh in the background is a bit nervous but I don't know if it is just the light/distances/vegetation or the inherent nature of the lens itself.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on August 10, 2011 at 9:50 AM

Hi John,

If you ask me, black bears are very hard to work with (compared to brown - grizzly - bears). I think part of this is due to their "normal" jet black coloration (and interesting that this very good shot is of a brown-coloured black bear!), their darker eyes (on average), and, for some reason, the adults tend to be a little less animated than grizzlies (cubs are cubs - always playful, always animated).

I think this is an absolutely excellent grab shot. I only call it a grab shot because of your description - not intended to offend in any way. On my monitor your treatment of the capture and the processing seems spot on - I think your work on the shaded side of the bear's face is really good. To me there are only two minor issues in this shot - both already mentioned and both out of your control. The first is the dominance of that background tree that slightly overlaps with the bear. It IS a distraction for me, but clearly you couldn't do a darned thing about it. The second, and far less noticeable, issue is the nervous bokeh that Gary points out - I noticed it too. Bear in mind (yep, pun intended) that about 99.99% of your "normal" viewing audience (i.e., those NOT critiquing your image on NPN) would NEVER notice this (even if you pointed it to them). So consider that point a non-issue for any "real" use of this image ("real" here denoting any use other than showing it to other nit-picking photographers!!

).

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...nice addition to that growing bear portfolio...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 10, 2011 at 6:56 PM

Sweet curious pose on this youngster John, I am totally amazed you made this image considering the circumstances.
Super Cool Moment and Photo

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 9, 2011 at 2:35 AM

WIth you skill in be able to capture a shot as good as this from the situation you describe John, I can't wait to see the photos you'll be taking in the future of Black Bears that you personally are real happy with! I'd be over the moon with the one you have here, especially for full frame and that you had the presence of mind to compose it well. No nits from me, great shot and thanks for sharing :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments