Scratch Test

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

Based on distance of greater than 100 yds, any initial thoughts on how to increase focus when in these situations in the future - Tamron 150-600 at 600 mm.

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

Grizzly bear around 2-3 years old in Denali N.P. along the Savage River. This area is well used for picnic’s and there are tables to right of the bear. This was taken from the bus through an open window at 600 mm.

Technical Details

Canon EOS Reble T6
Tamron SP 150-600 mm VC at 600mm Focal Length - 1.6 x Crop sensor (960 mm total).
ISO - 1600; Tv: 1/500; Aperture f/9

Specific Feedback

Nothing specific regarding feedback - I would like some technical advice for future encounters.


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:

Todd, the color of the bear and the shrub next to it strike me as what you want to work with in a scene like this. Typically (and that’s not always the right answer) they would be placed towards the left, but it sounds like there were things to the right that you didn’t want to include. Given that, I’d wait for the bear to look to the left and then position it lower in the frame…let the river behind tell the story of where this is and maybe what’s going on. The largest view looks just a bit soft, which might be the shutter speed at the effective focal length. I shot a 7D crop sensor for many years and it was plenty sharp. This is a fine shot to show folks about the adventure, but not one to print large. The colors and details look good in the standard size view.