p.3 #1 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
Dave, this is just a fine series of images bar none! A well deserved Congrats!!!
#1 is just mezmerizing! That gracious creature is locked dead in on you!! Posing! Heck yes!!!
The bear...WOW!!!
I get a "rush" in just viewing these! I am there!!!!
Dan
p.3 #3 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
gregfountain wrote:
Great set of images Dave. I applaud your determination and courage to get these. Being that close to these majestic beasts would freak me out!
Greg
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Freezite wrote:
Fantastic photography. I really love those photos.
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G.E. Smith wrote:
Congratulations Dave, well deserved. Fantastic set of images that I have enjoyed viewing very much. Thanks again for sharing.
Greg
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kdacharya wrote:
Hi Dave, Congrats on this well deserved win. the votes was absolutely spot on. Kudos. Even though we enjoyed these pictures, please do not do dangerous stuff
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surgemaster wrote:
Wonderful set and story, Dave. Congrats on your FTW.
Rex
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maxbe wrote:
Hello Dave,
What an outstanding pictures. I am impressed with your work.
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Ronny Olsson wrote:
Well deserved win !
Ronny//
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Danpbphoto wrote:
Dave, this is just a fine series of images bar none! A well deserved Congrats!!!
#1 is just mezmerizing! That gracious creature is locked dead in on you!! Posing! Heck yes!!!
The bear...WOW!!!
I get a "rush" in just viewing these! I am there!!!!
Dan
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birdied wrote:
Congratulations !!! Lovely work.
Birdie
Wow! I actually got my first FTW! >insert Snoopy doing the happy dance<
I'm humbled for this honor folks. I can not thank you enough for all the kind words you have shared with me.
This trip was most likely a once in a lifetime trip for my wife & I and your generosity has made it all the more special for me.
I began my photography journey about 6 years ago shortly before I joined Fred's site here. I recall seeing all the amazing images you people are consistently sharing here and thinking to myself...
"Wow', I so hope I can someday achieve the level of quality photographs these people are sharing here."
Thinking to myself there was no way I'd ever get there.
Fortunately for me, after many years of learning from so many of you generous and helpful people here, it seems I must have absorbed a few things along the way.
But I have such a long ways to go still, which is one of the main reasons I love photography so much. It's a never ending, challenging, learning experience.
Again, thank you all for this honor. I appreciate it very much.
p.3 #4 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
You HAVE achieved that place you are seeking! Relish it! The camera is your tool but it doesn't make an artist! Your thought process in obtaining that "place" is dead on Dave!
Dan
p.3 #7 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
Dave these are are a truly impressive set of images. You have some great captures. That bear sure seemed to have his eyes on you most of the time. Loved the second eagle shot, and the bear with the eagle flying away magnificent. I really liked the shots with the water just running off the bear as well. Lighting was great, and your R5 sure paired well with the 500 and TC. I only wish you had shown the EXIF data on the shots.
p.3 #9 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
Danpbphoto wrote:
You HAVE achieved that place you are seeking! Relish it! The camera is your tool but it doesn't make an artist! Your thought process in obtaining that "place" is dead on Dave!
Dan
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shibutg wrote:
Amazing, great set and thanks for posting!
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ox0312 wrote:
Well deserving FTOTW. Awesome environmental shots. Not easy to imagine and I love the overall mood in bear shots. TFS
- Faizan
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Dave_E wrote:
Dave these are are a truly impressive set of images. You have some great captures. That bear sure seemed to have his eyes on you most of the time. Loved the second eagle shot, and the bear with the eagle flying away magnificent. I really liked the shots with the water just running off the bear as well. Lighting was great, and your R5 sure paired well with the 500 and TC. I only wish you had shown the EXIF data on the shots.
Dave
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Lance B wrote:
Stunning shots, Dave! Great narrative and some truly inspirational work!
Thank you all for the congrats and very kind words. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to capture these images and share them here and an honor to have been selected for the FTOTW.
Dave_E - If you click on the image title below each image it should open the image in Flickr. You can see all the Exif data for each image underneath each one. They look better on Flickr as well.
p.3 #10 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
Really fantastic set of images! Very well captured and presented. I enjoyed the story about the path to get to the falls. Having done some limited hiking through the Kenai wilderness areas I also understand the inherent danger of doing so. During some discovery conversations with folks living in the area my thought of seeking bears was usually met with a heavy dose of skepticism and discouragement. "Most people try to avoid them you know!?" This will certainly instill some respect and natural fear in the process. Safety needs to be taken quite seriously for sure.
Glad you were able to do this with your wife as well. Images are fantastic...be sure to print some, but the memories will be there for a lifetime.
p.3 #13 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
Michael H wrote:
Really fantastic set of images! Very well captured and presented. I enjoyed the story about the path to get to the falls. Having done some limited hiking through the Kenai wilderness areas I also understand the inherent danger of doing so. During some discovery conversations with folks living in the area my thought of seeking bears was usually met with a heavy dose of skepticism and discouragement. "Most people try to avoid them you know!?" This will certainly instill some respect and natural fear in the process. Safety needs to be taken quite seriously for sure.
Glad you were able to do this with your wife as well. Images are fantastic...be sure to print some, but the memories will be there for a lifetime.
Thanks Michael! And I know exactly what you're talking about when talking to the locals and asking about bears. I never received so many "odd looks" when I explained I wanted to find some grizzlies. Understandably I guess because just before we arrived, a man was killed by a grizzly near Hope. From what we were told, it was the first killing this year up there, but since then I've heard of at least one more sadly.
Prints will definitely be made. I have many more yet to post and you'll see why.
Dave
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speedmaster20d wrote:
nice series thanks for sharing
Thanks Ari!
Dave
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RockvilleBob wrote:
A terrific set of wonderful images Dave. Each one a treasure.
p.3 #17 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
Pius Sullivan wrote:
Top Notch, Dave.
Pius
Thanks Pius!
Dave
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runakid wrote:
I can see why you won. Each is so special. No reply necessary. Thanks for the post.
Thanks Daniel!
Dave
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bonnyrcl wrote:
It's a beautiful set of pictures. They all tell a story..awesome!
John
Thank you John. Glad you enjoyed viewing them.
Dave
p.3 #18 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
Wow!!!! The image of the eagle in sharp focus with fine detail wes mesmerizing, but then the grizzly, not only in crisp focus, but also capturing the essence of what being a bear is. Only one word comes to mind,"spectacular"! Its like one can understand what the bear is thinking, love, love love this series.
p.3 #19 · A journey along the Russian river in Alaska
rand1951 wrote:
Wow!!!! The image of the eagle in sharp focus with fine detail wes mesmerizing, but then the grizzly, not only in crisp focus, but also capturing the essence of what being a bear is. Only one word comes to mind,"spectacular"! Its like one can understand what the bear is thinking, love, love love this series.
rand
Thanks for the very kind words and glad you enjoyed them.
Dave
