Brown Bear Basking in the Golden Light of Sunset

Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction

Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.

Questions to guide your feedback

How does this image make you feel? Does this image evoke any emotions?

Other Information

Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is.

Image Description

This image was captured along the coast of Lake Clark National Park in Alaska. As the sun set the bears were illuminated by some of the most beautiful golden hour light I’ve ever seen!


Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:

Hi Sandy,
I appreciate your feedback! The colors are pretty intense and definitely could use a bit of tweaking. It was an incredible scene. I have another version that gives a little more space on the right so appreciate you mentioning that. Thanks!

I agree with Sandy’s ideas for minor tweaks - though I wouldn’t replace this with an image having more space in front unless it’s just as good. You could probably use Edit/Fill to add canvas to the right, if you wish. The rim lighting is wonderful all round. And I love how the dark BG colors contrast with the rest. Gorgeous shot!

1 Like

Very nice bear. If this is a crop, give the bear more space out front. If full frame, I can live with a print of this guy up on the wall. Lighting is outstanding and you are going to have to wait a long time before getting one better than this one. Fantastic and the head turn is special…Jim

1 Like

Ditto what @Sandy_Richards-Brown said :heart_exclamation:

1 Like

Thank you all for such wonderful feedback!

Matthew: excellent photo of this beautiful bear. You might consider reducing the saturation and luminance of the grasses which are any eye catcher. If you’re OK with the technique add some canvas on the right side.

The colors are a bit intense on my screen. I like the backlighting a lot, and think the bugs add some great texture to the frame as a result.

I think the centered comp works just fine, btw. The rim lighting really emphasizes the shape of the subject, so I’m less concerned about where the bear is going and leaving space in front.

Sounds great, I will definitely give that a shot!

I’ll definitely play with colors a bit to get them more dialed in. Thanks for the great feedback!

Thank you for the detailed feedback, much appreciated!!