In the Field

The Nature of Distractions (AKA - A Shy Forest Denizen). Khutzeymateen Inlet (Great Bear Rainforest), BC, Canada. May 31, 2011.

I know this image won't have wide appeal, but I'm posting it in the aftermath of a multi-day debate with someone about the state of the union of modern digital wildlife photography and for a very specific reason. The details of the debate aren't critical but my "opponent" in this academic debate and I obviously have some areas we disagree on - I'm fine with a plethora of post-processing techniques (which I feel can overcome the limitations of our cameras in recording a scene as seen in the field) where he/she is quite firmly against virtually any post-processing of images on a computer. But we have areas where we agree - both of us are uncomfortable with digitally adding objects to an image or digitally removing "distractions" during post-processing. Yet even here we have found something to disagree on! And it comes down to the "nature of distractions" (clever term, eh?). So consider this commentary some food for thought.

I'm of the belief that even if a branch or leaf or rock (or whatever) was in the original scene and thus could be argued to be a part of "natural environment of the animal" and "showing the animal how it really lives" it can still seriously harm, or even ruin, an image. And it doesn't mean that that stick or leaf has to cross over the subject's snout or one or more eyes to ruin the image and it has zero to do with whether or not the object is in- or out-of-focus. It's my view that if the "offending element" is discordant (or off-theme) from what the photographer is attempting to accomplish with the photo, then it harms the image. It could be totally "natural", but if it doesn't fit with the mood or even colour scheme, or if it grabs the viewer's attention first, then it harms or ruins the image.

But, to me this doesn't mean that the subject of an image can't have overlapping elements and still work as an image. Take this image (as an example) - I know some will automatically discount it because of the foliage that overlaps its head and - heavens forbid - there are even some out-of-focus leaves overlapping its butt! But this was an uber-cool scene - the bear had wandered into the woods and at this instant gave a look which said so much to me (about the shy nature of this wonderful forest inhabitant and about how the bear is actually PART of the forest). In my opinion the overlapping leaves actually help this image succeed (at least to those who agree that it works) and it wouldn't be the same without them.

And...one more issue that came up during the "great debate" - it's my firm belief that even if one chooses to handicap themselves by refusing to remove distractions (if they are indeed distractions) digitally in post-processing, that's not a license to rationalize away things that are true distractions (from the image goal) just because they are "natural" or "actually were there". It just means that you have a much bigger challenge to overcome during the image capture process - 'cuz you WILL have to compete against others who will have no compunction about getting that clone tool out!

So next time you're looking at an image with a "distraction" in it - look more closely and think about it. Maybe it IS a distraction. But maybe it's a critical part of having that image work or achieve its goal.

Back to some of the "mechanics" behind the shot: While this has zero to do with the success (or lack thereof) of any image - this shot was a really technically challenging image to capture. Not only did I have to do the "pretzel thing" with my body to keep the bear in sight (we were below it and in a floating zodiac when I shot this), but it was so dark in there I could hardly see the bear (I had sun glaring in my eyes) and it did take some auto-focus tricks to ensure the bear's snout and eyes were in focus. Oh yeah, and I was hand-holding a monster lens and had to stop down to keep those branches over the face in some degree of focus (so it was ISO 5600 time!!)

NOTE: This image was captured in a region of British Columbia known as "The Great Bear Rainforest". I offer both instructional photo tours and "photo op only" photo tours into the Great Bear Rainforest each spring and autumn. If you're interested in participating in one of my future Great Bear Rainforest tours, just check out the Photo Tours page of this website!

Behind the Camera

The Nature of Distractions (AKA - A Shy Forest Denizen). Khutzeymateen Inlet (Great Bear Rainforest), BC, Canada. May 31, 2011.

Digital Capture; RAW 14-bit format; ISO 5600.

Nikon D3s with Nikkor 400mm f2.8 VR lens. Hand-held from floating Zodiac inflatable boat (VR on and in normal mode).

1/320s @ f7.1; -0.33 stop compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.

At the Computer

The Nature of Distractions (AKA - A Shy Forest Denizen). Khutzeymateen Inlet (Great Bear Rainforest), BC, Canada. May 31, 2011.

RAW Conversion to 16-bit TIFF, including first-pass/capture sharpening using Phase One's Capture One Pro 6.

Further digital corrections on 16-bit TIFF file using Adobe's Photoshop CS5. Adjustments included global light application of warming filter, and global exposure and saturation adjustments. Minor selective sharpening (for web output) performed as final step in image processing.

Conservation

The Nature of Distractions (AKA - A Shy Forest Denizen). Khutzeymateen Inlet (Great Bear Rainforest), BC, Canada. May 31, 2011.

Ten percent of the revenue generated by this image will be donated to Pacific Wild*

Species Status in Canada**: Special Concern (May 2002).

While Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos) are not technically listed as "Endangered" in Canada, they have been extirpated from most of their historical range. Grizzly Bears are far more sensitive to intrusion/disturbance in their habitat than are Black Bears and are being increasingly forced into marginal habitat by human encroachment. The Great Bear Rainforest along the central and northern coast of British Columbia is one of the last strongholds of the Grizzly Bear in Canada, and even this population is coming under increasing pressure.

*Pacific Wild is a non-profit conservation organization that is committed to:

1. Defending wildlife and their habitat on Canada's Pacific coast by developing and implementing solution-based conservation strategies. Pacific Wild supports innovative research, public education, community outreach and awareness to achieve the goal of lasting environmental protection in the lands and waters of the Great Bear Rainforest.

2. Working with a diverse array of communities, First Nations, groups and individuals to ensure that biodiversity protection is at the forefront of land and marine use decisions.

3. Mobilizing a concerned global citizenry to achieve large-scale wildlife protection.

Natural Art Images supports the efforts of Pacific Wild and encourages you to do the same.

**as determined by COSEWIC: The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada