Leslie Larson
About the Image(s)
Last summer our resident valley bear, Cinnamon, had a second year cub with her. We are used to her, but always stay our distance. Here she is with the cub peeking around a large cottonwood tree.
Canon EOS R5, 1/400, f/8, ISO 800, 300mm
This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted
Peter Dominowski
Leslie:
Can't see much detail on the very dark cub, but it looks to be in focus...Cinnamon is naturally lit and it's great to see the texture in her coat...if only we could tell them where to pose!
Just noticed in your bio that you live near Lyons...I lived in Lyons about 13 or 14 years ago :) I lived off 36 up Stone Canyon Road in that newer development. I miss that area. Could see the tip of Longs Peak from my backyard.   Posted: 07/13/2024 01:34:28
Can't see much detail on the very dark cub, but it looks to be in focus...Cinnamon is naturally lit and it's great to see the texture in her coat...if only we could tell them where to pose!
Just noticed in your bio that you live near Lyons...I lived in Lyons about 13 or 14 years ago :) I lived off 36 up Stone Canyon Road in that newer development. I miss that area. Could see the tip of Longs Peak from my backyard.   Posted: 07/13/2024 01:34:28
Leslie Larson
Interesting, where are you now?   Posted: 07/15/2024 19:58:12
Sherry Icardi
Nothing cuter that a mother and cub to attract everyone's attention....camera or no camera. I've only seen one bear (live) in our neighborhood in NJ (yes New Jeresy!) On our street and I was walking my noisy dog. I rushed him indoors quickly!
But any wild life is fascinating to me, and one that is that cute.....no question. And to have both Momma and Cub even better.
I really like the way you were able to frame this and it tells a story about how Momma is very cautious to make sure nothing ahead to harm the cub.
The f/8 gave you the chance to get both into focus, even if the cub is only partial. I might try to lightning the shadows so the cub has more detail...but given black fur not sure how much you could do. I think it's a great picture and tells a story of caring for cubs. Nicely done.
  Posted: 07/15/2024 20:38:04
But any wild life is fascinating to me, and one that is that cute.....no question. And to have both Momma and Cub even better.
I really like the way you were able to frame this and it tells a story about how Momma is very cautious to make sure nothing ahead to harm the cub.
The f/8 gave you the chance to get both into focus, even if the cub is only partial. I might try to lightning the shadows so the cub has more detail...but given black fur not sure how much you could do. I think it's a great picture and tells a story of caring for cubs. Nicely done.
  Posted: 07/15/2024 20:38:04
John Stumbos
Love the expression on the mother bear. She seems to be looking right at you. But there are several things about this photo that are unsettling to me. What struck me first is the cub's pose. It just doesn't seem natural. Why would a young cub strike a dominating pose like this with its mother?. Seems like there would be some visible tension there. There isn't any visible communication going on between the two bears. Also, there is a distracting white area around the left side of the cub's head that seems to have no pixels in it. Really jumped out at me. The mother bear also seems to have some haloing around its back. Please share with us, Leslie, your processing choices. Thank you.   Posted: 07/16/2024 04:33:05
Leslie Larson
The cub is standing on its hind legs. This is a very normal pose for curious cubs. Probably why it's semi-hidden behind the tree. Why it is ignoring me, I have no idea.
I don't see any area around its head with no pixels. Not sure what you are seeing. I did isolate the bears in order to tone down the original overexposed background. That's why the mom's back looks lighter.   Posted: 07/16/2024 15:00:55
I don't see any area around its head with no pixels. Not sure what you are seeing. I did isolate the bears in order to tone down the original overexposed background. That's why the mom's back looks lighter.   Posted: 07/16/2024 15:00:55
Sarita Yeola
Leslie,
I really like this image. I like the composition and that both mom and cub are in sharp focus. The intense glare of mom, while the cub in its curious pose tells a great story.   Posted: 07/17/2024 21:53:40
I really like this image. I like the composition and that both mom and cub are in sharp focus. The intense glare of mom, while the cub in its curious pose tells a great story.   Posted: 07/17/2024 21:53:40