Winner Chosen - October 2013 - Admin's choice - Image of the month

[Marko]

Hi members,

In case you are new around here this is where the Admin (me) chooses one excellent photo each month from all the photos nominated by other members during that month in the Member's monthly choice forum.

Just so it's clear, the photo I choose is not necessarily the best one of the month. I've come to realize it's not really logical to pit images from totally different genres against each other. That's why there are categories in photo contests.

My goal is to simply choose an excellent photo and talk about why I think it rocks. This month was a hard month (again) as the nominations from completely different genres were of very high quality. This month the image I am choosing is being chosen based on impact.

Congrats to missyinmuskoka for capturing this image from Grizzlys and other stuff from BC

I chose this image for several reasons:

1 - Impact - This image has impact. For me it has to do with capturing two sets of eyes; and the loser's eye is wide open here. The 'winner's' eyes are divided between the prize and the photographer. 'The eyes have it'.

2 - The Moment - This fish is so fresh you can still see the trail of drops it leaves behind after being scooped up from the water. I love the moment captured and the bear's gestures are fab.

3 - Composition - It's obvious to me that the composition was kept in mind while making the image. It's difficult to do when tracking an animal and our eyes have been guided toward their eyes extremely well here. Shallow depth of field definitely helps accomplish this.

4 - Sharpness /Post processing/exposure - Focus is on the fish's eye and that sharp bear claw with very natural and subtle looking post-processing that also draws you into the bear's eyes.

For all these reasons, this is my choice for image of the month. Since we all have opinions, some members may disagree with my choice. That's cool but THIS thread is not the place for debate over my pick, NOR is it the place to further critique the image. The purpose here is to suggest strong elements in the photo that we may learn from.

Congrats again to missyinmuskoka for capturing this wild moment so deftly.

[Iguanasan]

Congrats and well chosen.

[JAS_Photo]

Very nice! Congrats, Missy!

[missyinmuskoka]

Thank you Marko and all. It is so nice to be recognized for the capture and the hard work I put into getting it, and not the TECHNICAL elements so much. I belong to a camera club and this image did poorly for the few elements that were out of my control ie. bright spots, dark spots... list goes on. It is refreshing to be able to share my images with those who do get the same feeling I got when I took it. Thanks so much again!

[Zukie]

A great pic Missy. It made my family go "oooh, aaah, wow."

[Marko]

I've been to a few camera clubs and competitions and let's just say that occasionally I have rolled my eyes so far back into my head that I've almost suffered brain damage.
It would be good to know if the detractors of this image shoot wildlife or are just armchair wildlife critics. YOU also have a good eye so it would be good to know your opinion of the overall quality level of wildlife images that you see from that club.

Anyway I stand firmly by all my choices every month. Fab shot.

[Iguanasan]

Thank you Marko and all. It is so nice to be recognized for the capture and the hard work I put into getting it, and not the TECHNICAL elements so much. I belong to a camera club and this image did poorly for the few elements that were out of my control ie. bright spots, dark spots... list goes on. It is refreshing to be able to share my images with those who do get the same feeling I got when I took it. Thanks so much again!

Wow! I would love to have captured an image this great. People who look at petty items such as you mention should get their head examined. This is a superb capture.

[Mad Aussie]

Well done and I agree with the assessments given. You can clone and tease a photo until it's a masterpiece of technicality all you like but sometimes a great photo is one that's raw with all the natural elements in place. To find technical fault in this shot is just simply bumping up your own quota... like a cop who hasn't booked enough people this week. Great shot that most people will never be able to capture themselves.