A Polar Bear. . .

[gahspidy]

My last trip to the bronx zoo with my son, we finally saw the Polar bears up and about. ( at least for a couple of minutes before dozing off in the shade back in the far corner of their environment). I was waiting for the right setting as the light started poking out of the clouds again and this guy was in a moment. 300 mm zoom with aVelbon unipod I just picked up and is a great thing to bring to places like this where they really don't allow tripods.
I'm happy with the shot , but would like to hear what your feelings are about it.
Thanks

[Chunk]

My last trip to the bronx zoo with my son, we finally saw the Polar bears up and about. ( at least for a couple of minutes before dozing off in the shade back in the far corner of their environment). I was waiting for the right setting as the light started poking out of the clouds again and this guy was in a moment. 300 mm zoom with aVelbon unipod I just picked up and is a great thing to bring to places like this where they really don't allow tripods.
I'm happy with the shot , but would like to hear what your feelings are about it.
Thanks

I like the shot a lot, Gary, with the bear isolated against the shadowed background. The rocks in the forground and the bear looking back are both nice elements.
Why in the world would the zoo not allow tripods?

[tab]

Nice shot! Blow it up, this could be a good poster shot.

[gahspidy]

Thanks for your time to comment, Tab
Chunk, thanks. I liked those elements as well. As for the tripod issue. I believe the Bronx Zoo allows their use in certain areas, such as the outdoor exhibits but not for any indoor such as the /Bird House and some others(which is where one could really use a tripod because of the low light condition), but the Central Park Zoo had told me I could not use one at all, unless I were to come back late before closing and , if the Zoo were not very busy, may be able to use one with prior permission for some time. But to avoid those limitations, and lugging a bulky Tripod around, the Unipod is ideal

[Clicker]

This looks Great! Love the lighting on his spine and head and how it goes to shadow.....Great Foreground & Background....nitpick---->The grass in the bottom left catches my eye, but is not extremely distracting, but it seems IMO that the rocks make such a great bottom border that the grass disrupts that.
Otherwise
Great Job & Timing!

[villenadecorte]

Gary,
This came out great- I like the depth and that the background is not at all distracting, but adds to the shot. I love that the bear is uniquely positioned and not facing forward. Lighting is excellent.
He looks like a tired bear. Back to sleep.

-VillenaDeCorte

My last trip to the bronx zoo with my son, we finally saw the Polar bears up and about. ( at least for a couple of minutes before dozing off in the shade back in the far corner of their environment). I was waiting for the right setting as the light started poking out of the clouds again and this guy was in a moment. 300 mm zoom with aVelbon unipod I just picked up and is a great thing to bring to places like this where they really don't allow tripods.
I'm happy with the shot , but would like to hear what your feelings are about it.
Thanks

[gahspidy]

Clicker,
I agree with you about the grass in the lower left frame. i had not even noticed it, but see that it serves no positive purpose being in the frame and will easily clone it out for the final edition to print out.Thanks for your input.
VillenaDeCorte,
Glad you liked it. These bears are tired. this summer weather must knock them out.They are probably also a little bored, without having to actually "survive"

[shesells]

I wanted to add my 2cents before this post is finished. I think your bear is an elegant shot. I like the way the background just kind of fades back into the distance. It seems very real to me, like the north pole, and not like a zoo at all. Clicker is right about the grass, I'm sure it doesn't grow at the north pole! I wouldn't change a thing except that.The lighting is great, the way it flickers off him. Oh, one thing's missing. A coke in his paws.
Hey Gary, where did you get your unipod? online? Seems like a convenient thing to have, does it really help steady? I'm always embarrassed setting up the tripod for some reason.
~ Kit

[gahspidy]

Hey Gary, where did you get your unipod? online? Seems like a convenient thing to have, does it really help steady? I'm always embarrassed setting up the tripod for some reason.
~ Kit[/QUOTE]
Kit,
thanks for the comments. I got the unipod at J&R music in N.Y. I happened to be in there one day and saw it. It was $20.00 !! A Velbon UP4000. It has quick relaese levers and a cushy foam grip on top. Normally, the camera would screw onto the head and stay fixed that way. But there was a Bogen head that was made for unipods that screw to the top of the unipod and allows the camera to have a quick release feature and can flip it to a vertical shot by loosening the knob. Was an additional 30.00. This set up is so stable I had actually used a 170-500mm lens which is quite large and had no problems at all. It really gets you a sharper shot than handholding without question. easy to carry around. Had my camera on it and the camera strapped around my neck the whole day. when i was ready for a shot, I just let out the sections and there it was. I too do not feel comfortable setting up the tripod in busy public places. This was really comfortable and easy to use.

Penny,
Thanks for the comments. The Bronx Zoo always impresses me everytime I go there. I am a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society, so I have a yearly pass and take my kids to the zoos and aquariums. The Bronx Zoo never fails to impress me. You would enjoy it alot and get some nice pics. Hope you get the chance one day.

[Yoyo Szeto]

Hi Gary,
This is really cool.
yoyo