Bear Paw, a photo from British Columbia, Western

Photographer's Note

Another shot from the TE Vancouver meeting, December 17. A rare break in the weather allowed us to actually get some blue sky for the meeting, with some nice cloud patterns. I was attracted to this by the rocks in the lower right. I've walked by this spot on the Stanley Park Seawall many times, but on this day the tide was just right to show one large rock, with three smaller rocks beside it, in a pattern that looks just like a print from a bear paw, which explains the title.

For a look at the strange happenings when a group of TE members get together, see the workshop.

sarahnatalie, Matthew-Watt, singuanti, john_c, Emile, vesalius, ChrisJ, pierrefonds has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sarahnatalie (697) 2006-12-19 20:57

I really like this one! Especially good is the way the perfect reflection is broken in the middle by only a small strip of land/boats. The bear paw is very interesting, too. Do other people call it this as well? I like your series of the TE get together. Nice job!
Sarah

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2006-12-19 21:10

Hello Alvin,
Excellent positioning and atmospheric conditions,which in turn help to form a special reflection. A nice sky to water rationi has been adopted. The skyline and boats give a sense of scale to the size of the area photographed. Pleasant pastel colours, and I like the bear foot rock, very creative indeed. No bears here in Australia unless you count the koalas, which are marsupials obviously. Very peaceful, quiet and relaxing to watch. Prehaps next time add a simple white frame to 'set off' the image.
Matt

Ann75 (0) 2006-12-19 22:04

Hello Alvin,

Excellent shot with beautiful reflections and colours. The rock looks indeed like a bear paw...you have a good eye!! I love the far view with the clouds above which create an amazing depth! Great details and great composition! Well done, Alvin!

Greetings,
Ann

PS: Nice workshop shot as well...everybody in action!

singuanti (15250) 2006-12-19 22:05

Hi Alvin. You're right about the rocks looking like a bear paw. With that sky I might guess you used a polarizer. I had weather like that for about 5 minutes when I was there. Awesome shot Alvin!!

Emile (20352) 2006-12-19 23:36

Hola Alvin.
You are right with your title and the rock figure, but I think that the most important point in your shot is this superb reflection. Nicely captured with a very good POV. Colors, sharpness and composition are great.
Well done.
Merry Christmas.

vesalius (861) 2006-12-20 0:40

You beat me to the pumch :) A very nice capture (I certainly have about 10 of these) but they lack the deep blues of the sky. Good composition with the rock. It's very cool to see the different captures obtained of the same scene. Regards, Don.

Boots (495) 2006-12-20 1:29

Alvin,

The "bear paw" sticks out so much that at first I thought it was a watermark! Well conceived and executed.

Incidentally, against all my previous thinking, I am now leaning towards the D200, so perhaps you won't be alone in the Nikon camp next time! Nobody ever mentioned the weather seals, and that helps when you're in Vancouver.

Good shot Alvin.

Cheers,

Andrew.

markstaples (15670) 2006-12-20 3:56

A very appropriate title and interesting foreground interest. Superb reflections and as always, excellent quality. Superb.
Best wishes
Mark

PixelTerror (0) 2006-12-20 4:25

Hi Alvin,
It requires an eye to spot and use details like this one and you have it, as a result the bear paw is a strong focal point and contributes to the depth you have in this photo. Loved the WS, interesting to see how Dan has a fairly relaxed attitude while Paul seems to take things very seriously, which is reflected by his position ;-)
Have a nice day,
JEan-yves

ChrisJ (171822) 2006-12-20 5:33

Hi Alvin

I like the graphism added by the dark fg "bear paw" rock. Superb reflections in the mirror like surface of the tranquil waters. Marvellous repetition of the yachts & their masts. Merry Xmas!

Fis2 (170779) 2006-12-20 6:08

Witaj Alvin!
Wonderful reflection in water. I like the composition and colors. Super sky! Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof

john_c (24666) 2006-12-20 10:14

Hi Alvin,
A clever capture with a title that is apropos. The rest of us must have missed this great reflection and finely textured sky...I think we were shivering from cold by this stage. A good proportion of water to sky and marina, with the rocks balancing and enhancing. I agree with your sentiments in the WS - our gadgetry engrossed fellow members were best left to do their own thing at this point, totally absorbed. What a great meet - and seriously, I would like to host the next one at my Gulf Island home in the summer.
John

nwoehnl (122) 2006-12-20 16:26

Another beautiful photo from the meeting, Alvin. Good choice of the vertical format to make the most of the setting with the quiet boats and the fluffy cloud cover including the reflections. Good detail with the "bear paw" in front, and thanks for adding the fun WS showing some of the guys at work.

brevbrev14 (140) 2006-12-21 3:42

ALvin, this is a wonderful reflection!
it seem to have a mirror in the bottom of the image!
impressive work and beautiful tones with not strong lights!
great!
ciao!
Valeria

danielswalsh (13597) 2006-12-21 15:59

Okay- I wondered who was going to be the first to post some people shots and it seems you got it.
Very well seen bear paw Alvin. Think I was down at the other end at this point getting some shots of the geese or ducks swimming by.

The polariser afforded you some great contrast to the sky, and the composition is excellent with the inclusion of the boats and the 'paw' in the bottom right corner.
My only suggestion for this shot Alvin would be a slight counter-clockwise rotation (looking at the masts and their reflection).

Seasons Greetings!
- Dan

capthaddock (28790) 2006-12-24 14:30

Hi Alvin - excellent timing, the sky and reflecions alone would make a fine photo, the "bearpaw" adds that extra touch.

donluicu (24741) 2006-12-25 13:02

yes
exactly!!
funny shot, and interesting shot..
congrats, very good framing

merry christmas

loic

pierrefonds (114470) 2007-05-09 15:27

Hi Alvin,

I nice photo of the water with the rocks looking like a bear paw and of the reflection of the sky in the water. The photo has good composition, DOF and nice colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre