Polar bear portrait, arctic Alaska. Canon 500mm f/4L IS II, w/1.4x (700mm) 1/400 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 800, Hand held from a moving boat
If there is one excellent feature among the new genre of super telephoto lenses, i.e., the Canon 500mm in this case, it is the Image Stabilization technology. In many situations, I end up photographing without a tripod. It is counter-conventional wisdom for many, but when an effective method and style is learned, there is a tremendous amount of flexibility and speed gained in a quick response, free from a tripod and the intrinsic necessary limitations. I might also add, that it is the reason I have recently developed biceps tendinitis, but that is another story.
Moments are fleeting in the natural world, and the ability to respond quickly is often less emphasized than all the necessary gear one is supposed to have. My advice to anyone with camera gear is: get to know it, learn how to use it quickly and with good form that translates into the right balance between capturing the moment and achieving technical excellence. Of course, it is not always advisable or possible to hand hold big lenses, but explore the liberties available to you, given your ability.
I took this photo from a moving boat (although in calm waters), with an extender pushing the focal length to a 700mm equivalent The shutter speed, at 1/400 sec resulted in a super sharp image. Image Stabilization technology declares that with excellent form, one can gain 2 -3 stops of stability. This varies certainly, but anything helps. The one other thing that helps is: practice. And after that: practice
Great portait Patrick! Remarkably clean bear for that time of year too. I’ve done a lot of hand-holding with the 500mm and have found it much easier than one would expect. The greatest disadvantage is not being able to hold the lens in position for long periods of time waiting for the right pose, or expression. For that kind of thing, a tripod definitely remains superior.
-Dave
Another great image, Patrick! And I’m still new to this long tele hand holding stuff. I’m sure you are aware my background is in the heavy Gitzo era, and I’m still feeling a bit odd handholding the new big white, the 500 MkII. In the truck I still carry one of my Gitzo’s as well as a heavyweight Gitzo monopod and a bean bag that goes over the open window/door, but I’ve only been hand holding. Times they are a changin’!
You have the most exceptional talent with a camera; this one in particular is really beautiful… that curious expression, the slight twitch of his polar bear nose, the colors of white bear, ice-blue sky and pebble beach…superb 🙂
While I can’t see these creatures in reality, I have you to bring them to me on screen and for that I cannot thank you enough.
love your work
p.s i hope the bicep tendinitis is getting better 🙂
Dave, I concur fully,
Fran, thank you
Jim, right from the Dylan era!
I love this close-up! The bear has quite an expression, almost smug, as if it is sizing up the photographer.