Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)

Textures of the Tundra
Photo Title: Textures of the Tundra
Author: Brad Hill

This photo has been elected "Photograph of the Week" on September 2007 (week 37).

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Photograph Information

Photographer Brad Hill
Date posted September, 04th 2007
Camera Nikon D2H
Lense Nikon 200-400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF
Country Canada
Place Cape Churchill, MB
Order Carnivora
Family Ursidae
Binomial Name Ursus maritimus
Vernacular Name Polar Bear
Exposure 1/20s @ f16
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO 200
Categories America (North), Mammals
Views 2305
Rating 3.95 (19 votes)

Story or comment

This image was recently selected by Nature's Best Photography magazine as their Picture of the Week. It is a shot of 3 polars bears - an adult female with two cubs (the female is on the far left, the face of the first cub is clearly visible, and the fur on the right is from the second cub). I had a clear goal in mind when I shot this image: I wanted to create a pleasing composition that conveyed the gentleness of the moment and yet screamed "TEXTURE".

Babel Fish Translation (sorry, I speak no French) [Edit moderation: we allowed ourselves to try to improve the translation :) ] Cette image a été choisie récemment par le magazine de photographie Nature's Best Photography en tant qu'image de la semaine. C'est un cliché de 3 ours polaires - une femelle adulte avec deux petits oursons (la femelle est sur la gauche, la tête du premier petit animal est clairement visible, et la fourrure sur la droite appartient au second ourson).
J'avais en tête un but clairement défini quand j'ai pris cette image : je voulais créer une composition agréable qui exprimait la douceur du moment et en même temps évoquait fortement la "TEXTURE".

Lots more detail about this specific image (field notes, camera and shooting details, processing details, species status and conservation) can be found at the following page on my website:

http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/mammals/bears/

I look forward to your comments...

Critiques

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There are currently 14 critiques for this photo.


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Rating: 4 - From Morgane Urvoy, on January, 17th 2008 at 08:18 PM
Hi Brad ,

just marvelous...

Think You

Morgane
Reply

Rating: 4 - From Franck Pichot, on November, 19th 2007 at 06:08 PM
Hello Brad, everything is perfect. Very nice picture.
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Rating: 3 - From Thomy Keat, on November, 16th 2007 at 08:53 AM
Hello Brad,
this is a wonderful image you are showing us, very cute as well, i do not have many complain about it, just one actuelly, i think your image would be more stronger in a square size, here, it gives a little "fall" impression.

Very nice anyway :D
Reply

Rating: 4 - From , on November, 16th 2007 at 08:10 AM
This is sweet, tender, and it makes me wanna go sleep with them(I am tired this morning at work...)
Just to add a couple of photographical talk, I think that on an artistical and technical point of view, it's all fine. I agree with your f16 choice. The result is very sharp and crispy, fitting this close up perfectly.
Sorry for my approximative english. I stop writing, and go spend some more time with your polar bears.
The awards are totally deserved here.
Keep 'em coming!!
Reply

Rating: 4 - From Christophe Kaluzny, on September, 24th 2007 at 12:49 AM
Bonjour.

Je en trouve rien à dire si ce n'est que cette image me donne envie d'aller les aider à faire la sieste.


Chritophe
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Rating: 4 - From Christophe CAGNARD, on September, 18th 2007 at 02:55 PM
Bonjour auteur,

que dire sur cette photo des plus réussie.... et dont le cadrage est simplement excellent ?

On a envie de se blottir, nous aussi, tout contre cette fourrure et faire une sieste comme jamais !

Amicalement
Christophe
Reply

Rating: 4 - From Orlando FM, on September, 12th 2007 at 07:10 PM
Une photo pleine de douceur !!
Je ne trouve aucune critique à faire.
Bravo !!
Reply

Rating: 4 - From Xavier Blanc, on September, 08th 2007 at 04:28 PM
For us, far from the North of Canada, it's always impressive to see such animals.
When to the pleasure of seeing these beautiful animals it is possible to add the warm atmosphere given by your picture, the result is very impressive.

You were extremely close, and you have made you utmost to have all the furs sharp, with f/16.

I suppose that you were in a vehicle, may be on of these large "bears buggies" used in the Churchill area ?

The texture of the fur, and the different creamy and white tones, are extremely well reproduced.

We are waiting for the next ones,

Kind regards,

Xavier
Reply
From Brad Hill, on September, 18th 2007 at 04:12 PM
Hello Xavier,

This shot was made from the outer observation deck of the mobile "Tundra Lodge", which is a caravan of trailers that were joined together (it wasn't shot from a Tundra Buggy).

Cheers...

Brad
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Rating: 4 - From Pierre Lobel, on September, 08th 2007 at 08:16 AM
Hello Brad :D

This picture goes directly to my favorites! We can see it as a painting with soft curves and smooth colors transitions... And as an animal portrait, it shows the peaceful of nature :mrgreen: .
Reply

Rating: 4 - From Freefox Laxenaire thierry, on September, 05th 2007 at 06:50 AM
Goooooood morning Mister Mountain from the Brad’s hill,

What a f…. very beautiful scene!
Following the example of the hairs of these bears, here is a bipolar picture.
Indeed, there is warm feeling in the cold, sweetness in the hard, tenderness in the power…

GREAT!

In a friendly way,

Freefox Thierry Laxenaire

http://www.nundafoto.net/fr/forum/topic/268-les-ou(...)
Reply

Rating: 4 - From Catherine Lanneluc, on September, 04th 2007 at 11:04 PM
Hi Brad and thank you for this nice contribution ! I mean, photo and explanations !

It's of course difficult for most of us to explain exactly what we feel and think, but actually it is a great pleasure to let the eyes caress the picture, as if we could touch the Bears fur...

Concerning the composition, I think you know it's perfect and it's not worth adding comments ;)

Goodbye for now :)

Catherine
Reply

Rating: 4 - From Thierry LEROY, on September, 04th 2007 at 08:09 PM
Hello Brad,

Excellent picture, I understand why it has been selected as the picture of the week !

All is perfect, framing, focus, position and so on !!

Bears pictures are so rare, I stay without voice.

Many thanks and congratulation !

Friendly

Thierry
Reply

Rating: 4 - From André Bosmans, on September, 04th 2007 at 07:43 PM
Hi Brad,

I have no voice, but it is'nt important because I write it: perfect in all respect.
I like the quiet feeling of the composition, it looks like a modern painting, fantastic really...
This is art, thank you.

André.
Reply

Rating: 4 - From Cécile BH, on September, 04th 2007 at 07:19 PM
Hello Brad,

I do not speak quite English, excuses me by advance.
I find that this photograph expresses perfectly what you sought and which you explain well in your comment.
Technical quality is perfect.
One smells very well the heat and the comfort of this fur through the screen, and I congratulate you for this success.

In a friendly way,

Cecile
Reply

Quick Ratings


Rating: 4 - From Jean-Charles Perquin, on September, 11th 2007 at 08:22 AM

Rating: 4 - From Marie-Hélène B., on September, 08th 2007 at 09:04 AM

Rating: 4 - From Vincent Richard, on September, 05th 2007 at 01:00 PM

Rating: 4 - From Yvon Delbecque, on September, 05th 2007 at 06:35 AM

Rating: 4 - From Dominique B., on September, 05th 2007 at 03:24 AM

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