What makes a superb bear picture? – Tom Bol Images, LLC

Simple query.  Long reply!  We simply returned from our Lake Clark bear workshop, and as at all times had a incredible time.  Of course the large query was …what makes a superb bear picture?  While the reply could be subjective, there are some tried and true ideas that produce these wonderful photos…now we have had a number of individuals win picture contests with photos taken on our bear journeys.  First, I’d check out this text I wrote for Nikon referred to as The Bear Essentials.  This will get you began in the direction of higher bear photos.

Let’s check out some suggestions and strategies that assist create incredible bear photos.  Here are some photos from final week’s workshop.

Behavior. Understanding/ anticipating bear conduct, and capturing fascinating conduct is vital to many nice bear photos.  If you recognize when a bear goes to face up, or when adults are going to combat, these will probably be distinctive moments and fascinating to your viewers.  If you don’t know bear conduct, go together with a information who will help predict these award profitable moments.  Be affected person…and prepared.

Emotion. Images which are emotive will resonate along with your viewers and draw them in.  Who doesn’t like playful cubs or a bear stretching within the meadow?  We had plenty of bears mating final week which was additionally fascinating and emotive.  Cubs are at all times a favourite topic, and can get a robust response out of your viewers.

Perspective. This is a digital camera craft merchandise.  Many instances getting low to the bottom gives you dreamy foregrounds and intimate views of the bear.  Last week we have been holding our cameras about one inch off the water utilizing our LCD screens to deal with mudflats because the bears have been clamming.  The impact created terrific photos and fascinating reflections.

Atmospherics. Moody climate could be nice for bear pictures.  We had a fog layer one morning which created mystical backgrounds for the bears.  Other instances with overcast skies we intentionally overexposed photos for top key bears.  Embrace dangerous climate, it’d provide you with distinctive photos.  I as soon as watched a bear catching raindrops on his tongue throughout a rainstorm.

Separation. This is a bit more subjective, however taking pictures at very shallow depth of area will make your bear pop of the background and foreground.  It will rely upon the shot…you would possibly need to embrace the background for extra details about your shot.  But many instances I wish to create temper by taking pictures at shallow depth of area so the bear is sort of floating off the web page.  Try apertures of F4 or wider with telephoto lenses.  My favourite bear lens is the 400mm F2.8…and I shoot it at F2.8 on a regular basis.

A number of good bear pictures pertains to simply being within the area ready for one thing to occur.  Get out as a lot as you’ll be able to, be prepared, and get the shot!