Two yearling brown bear cubs play in the tall grass after a long winter's nap in the Lake Clark region of Alaska.
Two yearling brown bear cubs play in the tall grass after a long winter's nap in the Lake Clark region of Alaska.
Read less
Read less
Views
4925
Likes
Awards
Winner in Bear Necessity! Your Best Shot of Wild Bears Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Cuteness Overload Photo Contest
Featured
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Genius
Love it
Top Ranks
Categories
johnprice_3338
January 19, 2015
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
akhtarkhan
January 19, 2015
So cute looking, beautifully compose, wonderful capture. Congrats on the feature.
wheelerdealer
January 19, 2015
Congrats on the feature and oh my word, too adorable. I'd be worried where Mama is tho
kanizkhan
April 28, 2015
The story, the focus, the composition, the colour, the emotions - all came out so beautifully. We can see it whole day. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful shot. It is just brilliant.
bkelly7k
June 01, 2017
Thank you for sharing all the bear shot!! Must admit I'm a bit jealous, I hope to one day get into one of the wilderness areas for wildlife shot!!
Tripod_Travelers
March 14, 2018
Congrats on winning our "Bear Necessity" Photo Challenge. Well deserved!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken in the Lake Clark region of Alaska in June of 2014.Time
We were out on a morning foot safari when we came across these two cubs--and their big mama--enjoying a gorgeous, rain-free start to their day.Lighting
As anyone who has been to Alaska around the summer solstice knows, there is light nearly all day long. In the morning and evening, however, the sun stays very low in the sky and creates gorgeous "magic hour" lighting that just seems to never end. It is truly a thrill to photograph.Equipment
This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, a Canon L-series EF 200-400mm (with 1.4X built-in extender) lens, and a Manfrotto tripod with a Gimbal mount.Inspiration
I could honestly photograph bear cubs all day. They're of course incredibly cute, but it's even more entertaining to watch them play. This photo was taken a second before the blond cub slapped it's unsuspecting sibling across the snout, then tackled it into the grass. I've always enjoyed this photo as that moment of peace, just before the storm.Editing
While I applied my typical basic RAW processing in Lightroom (exposure, contrast, noise reduction, etc.), I also did some color balance work. Green grass in warm sunlight always creates a challenge for white balance, so I did my best to make the image match my memory of the scene.In my camera bag
As a Canon shooter, I typically run with the following: Two 5D MKIII bodies, an assortment of lenses (16-35mm f/4 L, 24-70mm f/2.8 L II, 70-200mm f/2.8mm L II, 100mm f/2.8 L, 135mm f/2 L, 200-400mm f/4 w/ 1.4X built-in extender), Manfrotto tripods, a variety of filters (ND, Graduated ND, Polarizers), tele-extenders (1.4X & 2X), Canon SpeedLights, and PocketWizard remote triggers.Feedback
Photographing bears is extremely exhilarating and rewarding, but can also be really dangerous. Safety should always be at the forefront, as should respect for the bears themselves. In the spring, it is crucial not to disturb them in order for them to conserve their energy and focus on fattening back up after their long winter's nap. That said, long lenses are a key component to keeping a safe, respectful distance. A good tripod will then always be crucial, and I've found gimbal heads to work the best for big, heavy glass. As with any subject shot from a distance, during the hot hours of the day, you need to keep an eye out for distortion caused by heat rising from the ground. So, stay safe, shoot straight, and strive to capture those critical moments that will add intrigue to your images.