please critique my image. Thank you
Now tell me -- Who in his/her right mind is about to tell that critter that it takes a bad photo????
LOL! I wouldn't to HIS face but maybe to me it would be ok!!
Bear is nicely in focus, but maybe zoomed in a bit too close. It would be nice to see what it's looking at if possible. Also a little more space on the left would be nice. Those are small things. The main problem I see is that it is way over-exposed. The detail in the water to the right of the bear is completely blown out.
However, considering that it is a large bear and there doesn't appear to be anything between you and it, it's a nice capture. In my opinion, fixing any or all of those things above could/would have made it better.
I said what I said because I assumed you were NOT at the ZOO -- That you were in the "Really REAL" -- Also don't know the size of your lens -- But at the speed it was going no matter how long the lens was -- You were too damn CLOSE --- "IF" you shot in RAW you may be able to play with the exposure -- reduce the slightly over exposed look of the water without screwing- up the Giant really upset BEAR ----- Bottom line
I LIKE THE PHOTO
AndyH
Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire
I like the zoom ratio. Focus and exposure are excellent in my opinion.
Andy
I agree with the comments on exposure and position within the frame. If you work on correcting the exposure in post as well as crop some from the top and right side, the bear will retain a sense of "movement" by having a hind foot off the frame while not seeming to be misplaced too far to the left in the frame. Begin by pulling-in the upper right corner toward the bear until the right margin almost touches the splashed water.
ok thanks, I'm going to try some of it all!
Is this any better? This was taken on Katmai National Park, not in a zoo. The bear was headed towards two other bears that was much younger. He was mad and I loved his face and left paw. The other bears were a good ways away but they were still in his space. Thanks for checking it out for me!
Its very easy to get blown highlights when there is white water. Your camera was metering off the dark bear. If you have your camera set for spot metering, and you are photographing a charging bear, you might try focusing on his nose, so the meter is aware of the brightness of the water. Shooting in raw will save your butt too. Always going to be tough when the range of darks and lights exceed what your camera can record.
ok, thanks so much for your helpful words fergmark!
goldfin wrote:
please critique my image. Thank you
Goldfin: Hope you don't mind my trying a couple of things. I started with your last crop, increased Contrast just a little and dropped the Exposure just to the point that the fur on his belly still has detail. I think it makes the eye more visible (and not a happy expression). I also set the White and Black points, though they were pretty close to correct after the Contrast and Exposure changes. These are very subtle changes, but I think you captured so much midtown detail that darkening it a bit helps. Otherwise, very impressive image.
After posting my suggested "mod" of your very nice photo, I kept playing with it. It can take even more of a drop in the exposure. I found that a .75 stop reduction in exposure (or even a little more) held up very well with the increase in Contrast and setting the White and Black points.
Thank you jak86094 I don't mind you working with it. I have actually have been doing the same thing for most of the day. I will try what you are saying. I love the look on his face and the paw. I hate to trash the photo but I also want it to look good. Thanks for the pointers!
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