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Shadow II - WC #655

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted October 10, 2014127 views9 comments

Hi again, fellow pet-lovers! WOW has this been a popular Weekly Challenge. As a dog fanatic (well, animal fanatic in general) I'm lovin' it.

I feel guilty not sharing our other dogs with you, but as Jenaya just posted one of my favourite images of our older Saint Bernard, Memphis, I thought I'd sneak one more in of Shadow, our black grizzly bear registered as a Newfoundland.

This is from the same evening as my earlier post and just moments from when Jenaya took the running shot of Memphis she shared.

I originally processed this one in colour, and it is quite striking with the cool greens and golden highlights, but everything about Shadow screams B&W for me (except her gorgeous amber eyes), so I had to take a swing at another B&W conversion.

Many thanks for your kind comments on the earlier portrait...it's probably my favourite image of her so far.

Nikon D600
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR
ISO 800
1/160sec @ f/3.5
handheld

Processing Notes:
Converted from RAW using Phase One Capture One Pro 7
Adjustments to tones and contrast in Nik Color Efex Pro 4 and Viveza 2
Converted to B&W in Nik Silver Efex Pro 2
Selective adjustments in PS5
full frame

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on October 10, 2014 at 11:10 AM

The tonality here is wonderful, John. The glow in the backlit grasses (and Shadow,

) really lets the darkness of the coat dominate the image (and that's exactly right).

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on October 10, 2014 at 12:13 PM

Black and white works well with this shot--I like the back-lighting with light foreground, dark Newf, and midtone background.

..........................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Mullen on October 10, 2014 at 2:43 PM

Hi John, superb image of Shadow looks very striking in B&W love the tones and lighting excellent. Very well done!!

Registered on September 28, 2014, 21 Posts, 70 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Marsh on October 10, 2014 at 8:33 PM

Very nice backlit image of Shadow John. Love the tonal range. Good decision to convert to B&W.

Bill

Registered on December 29, 2012, 21 Posts, 225 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on October 11, 2014 at 3:41 AM

Very nice, John. I really like this one. The back lighting is great, the pose is perfect and Shadow is a beautiful Newfoundland! The b&w conversion works very well but I would still like to see the color version.

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on October 16, 2014 at 10:31 PM

Hi John

Excellent B&W conversion , great shot and A well deserved WP.

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Kane on October 18, 2014 at 11:51 AM

Congrats on the WP John. Can't believe I missed this one earlier, but so many were posted. The B&W conversion is absolutely perfect for Shadow, and the rim-lighting sets off this black grizzly bear so well

She is an amazingly beautiful dog - and those eyes are just special!!!

Registered on August 4, 2012, 66 Posts, 726 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Marsh on October 19, 2014 at 7:35 PM

Congrats on the WP John. I knew this one was a winner when I saw it. Shadow is a beautiful dog. This image makes me want to give her a big hug.

Bill

Registered on December 29, 2012, 21 Posts, 225 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on October 20, 2014 at 2:29 AM

Wow! Thank you so much for the honour of the Weekly Pick! There were so many fantastic pet images posted this week...this is genuinely humbling! I have to admit I initially found my more textured, close-up portrait of Shadow the more compelling image, but this one has really grown on me--both in B&W and colour. I'm pleased to have received the feedback suggesting others like this one as well. I am just completely taken with this dog, who is technically my wife's after she bought "me" our two Saint Bernard's. Shadow is simply the sweetest dog I've ever encountered, even if convincing her to go outside for some activity and fresh air (never mind a potty break) can qualify for "mission impossible" when she wants to hang out with the family in the living room or media room!

She's definitely a special dog.

Thanks again...

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