The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time when the action literally exploded. I would welcome any advice to improve the image for future display/submission. Thank you.
Creative direction
Aiming for a strong emotional reaction to t he image and focus on the bears’ eye contact.
Specific Feedback
Composition, subjects’ contrast with background.
Technical Details
OM1 with 150-400mm lens and 1.25 TC, 320mm, f7.1, 1/800, 2000 ISO
Description
A dispute between adult female and male Alaskan Brown Bears over a salmon fishing spot in Redoubt Bay, Alaska. No blood drawn and the whole thing lasted less than a minute. I could see this coming and was lucky to be close by in a pontoon boat.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Bill, I just say WOW! This is a phenomenal image. What a great action catch.
You nailed the focus on the eye. I think the composition works quite well. I’m not bothered by the background although if you can find a way to darken it some it might make the bears standout more…or maybe darkening the background would make the bears standout less?
Anyway, this is s true winning image, sir. Well done.
Bill: this is a fabulous catch of a great moment. Were this mine, I would consider blurring and de-saturating and lightening the background a bit to make the bears stand out agains a duller and lighter b/g. You also might straighten as the image is tilted CCW just a bit. All are minor nits.
A great shot, to be sure. I like Sandy’s small adjustments, especially of the branch over the right-hand bear’s head. The splash and drops are amazingly dynamic. The red eye of that bear adds to my emotional response (gasp). And you caught them at the right moment of gape. (I love the OM-1; it’s so light for a situation like this where you don’t want to be weighed down!)
Sandy,
Thank you so much for your feedback and edit suggestions. I am going to play with this some more based on your suggestions. I really like your thinking and thanks for taking the time.
Bill
Great interaction, beautifully captured ! @Sandy_Richards-Brown has done some fine adjustments, I would like to see the whole of left bear, if you managed to capture that.
Nice work, Bill. Though it could maybe be sharpened a bit more (at least, on my monitor), I think it’s got plenty of good detail. The best part about it, aside from the eye contact, is the shape of that splash. It really emphasizes the proximity of the two and the “embrace.”
I like the increased contrast in Sandy’s version, but in both images I’m seeing a subtle magenta caste that might be tweaked.
