I'm not even sure what defines an "environmental portrait". But since It's not something I give much thought to when I'm out I thought I'd take a look and see what I had. Turns out there's a lot more to it than just framing wide and placing your subject off center I find that I'm always looking for up close behavior shots, rarely thinking in terms of "pretty". And the only time I take what I think turns out to be an environmental is when I can't get any closer. I may have to give all this a closer look in the future. Anyhow, feel free to chime in with your thoughts, critiques, or comments.
gary
Based on some feedback I made some substitutions to try and get closer
These are lovely Gary. I don't know if I'd call them all environmental as the subject fills most of the frame. I think of an environmental portrait when the wildlife is in a landscape. I've been working on this type of portrait since being motivated by a presentation by Thomas Mangelsen.
These are a nice set of images Gary. I think that the moose shots and the wolf on the ridge have the "environmental" feel. One thing that strikes me as being a potential key to "environmental" is less background blue / higher aperture to give a greater feel for the surroundings.
A very nice series with some wonderful wildlife. I would classify the images from Baxter State Park to be environmental landscape images. The first one with the dear and the one with the two moose are really nice. Keep up the great work!
morris wrote:
These are lovely Gary. I don't know if I'd call them all environmental as the subject fills most of the frame. I think of an environmental portrait when the wildlife is in a landscape. I've been working on this type of portrait since being motivated by a presentation by Thomas Mangelsen.
Morris
Appreciate the input Morris. Then in it's simplest form I guess you could say it's a landscape that happens to have an animal in it.
louie champan wrote:
Outstanding set Gary, showing the environment as you have in these images truly adds to the overall beauty and enjoyment of the image.
birdied wrote:
I love these types of shots. For me they add to the story and give us a small view into their world.
All so nicely composed and well done.
dj_hess wrote:
These are a nice set of images Gary. I think that the moose shots and the wolf on the ridge have the "environmental" feel. One thing that strikes me as being a potential key to "environmental" is less background blue / higher aperture to give a greater feel for the surroundings.
Dave
Very good point. When I looked at the GBH and the juvenile eagle on the stump from Katmai I thought; "well, that's their environment", but you're right, the blurred backgrounds obliterate the environment and that seems to be key.
Appreciate the input
Starfire8 wrote:
A very nice series with some wonderful wildlife. I would classify the images from Baxter State Park to be environmental landscape images. The first one with the dear and the one with the two moose are really nice. Keep up the great work!
I find that I'm always looking for up close behavior shots, rarely thinking in terms of "pretty". And the only time I take what I think turns out to be an environmental is when I can't get any closer. I may have to give all this a closer look in the future. Anyhow, feel free to chime in with your thoughts, critiques, or comments. 
