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The Spirit Bear


The Spirit Bear
Photo Information
Copyright: Anton Mihai (toni_ro) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 20 W: 8 N: 52] (214)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-05
Categories: Artwork, Decisive Moment, Friends/Family
Camera: Canon Powershot S3IS
Exposure: f/2.7, 1/1614 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-09 19:49
Viewed: 712
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This week I visited the Ice Hotel located at about 35 km west of Québec City. It's a 3000 m2 complex structure, made entirely of snow and ice. Some people travel great distances to get married in the beautiful ice chapel or just to spend the night in one of the 36 rooms and theme suites of the hotel (two special suites have a fire place).

I took the two photos used in this composition near a passageway leading to the chapel, in one of the rare occasions when no other tourists were moving around.

Native American legend has it that the Spirit Bear was created as a reminder of the Ice Age and the troubles that resulted. Its white color was thought to be a visual example, sent from the Creator, to remind the people of where they had come from, a world filled with snow, ice and hardship.
This name is attributed to the Kermode bear, a genetically-unique subspecies of black bear found in the central coast of British Columbia.

My cousin, Benjamin, is a nice and intelligent kid, but sometimes he acts like a little "bulldozer". He was often compared to a bear; it is even the "identification animal" he received in first grade, at school.

I just hope he'll grow up to be a "good bear".


PP
photo 1 (only the ice bear):
- cropped, resized, sharpened, increased contrast;
- cloned out a distracting sign post;

photo 2 (ice bear + Benjamin):
- resized, sharpened, increased brightness;
- placed over photo 1, having the bear as a reference;
- faded out selectively along Benjamin's body;
- applied frame.
rychousmama has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rychousmama: Hi Lara,toni_ro 1 03-10 21:54
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Critiques [Translate]

Anton this is great! I love the use of post-processing here, his surprised and dramatic facial expression really suits the theme and I love his placement "within" the ice bear. The glow that surrounds him emphasizes the spiritual atmosphere and makes him pop out more. Excellent crispness and detail in the whole shot, especially with such low lighting. Strong compo with balance between the arch and the bear and your cousin.
Interesting how coldness and ice are generally seen as harsh and negative in many parts of the world and with many cultures. You always put great notes to your photos. Thanks for sharing!
-Lara

Hi Anton, very nice and cool (and cold) image, I always find fascinating native american legends and you illustrated it in a very effective and poetic way!
Patrick

  • Great 
  • wide Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 71 W: 3 N: 40] (434)
  • [2007-03-10 2:38]

Very interesting effect, Anton. It seems there's no end to the possibilities when you've got creativity, as in this case. The halo is quite strong, but otherwise great capture.

Regards,
Johan

nice picture! the most i like the concept of the picture, but also pp work is great!
TFS
davis

very cool spirit!i love how you cloned it.
TFS
otti

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