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Weekly assignment 306: Overhead
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Archive 2007 · #251: Black Life
  
 
James Markus
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · #251: Black Life


I want to thank everyone for their comments on the "charred bones" entry. Knowing that there are two parts to these assignments - it doesn't make sense to use it when I shot something yesterday that supercedes it. This has to be the most sad animal at our local zoo. Every time I go there I just ache to free this poor beast. I usually bristle at people using human emotions and transfering those emotion onto animals, but this poor bear is miserable. You can see it in it's eyes.

http://www.photomatter.com/_images/WebPosts/BlackonBlack-6.jpg
Jun 02, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Steven Roberts
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · #251: Black Life


Very nice. Great detail. Its has a sharpness to it but also a soft side. The eyes pop nicely and the crop is sweet, not to mention you being able to get such a subject. Nice entry.

Steve
Jun 02, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Medowlark
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · #251: Black Life


Ahh, a beautiful beast. That short snout makes me think it is a grizzly... We have a few of those roaming the woods near our place in Montana, though sightings are pretty rare anymore. Very sharp and nicely captured.

al
Jun 02, 2007 at 12:28 PM
Strad
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · #251: Black Life


Amazing shot, Jim, my friend! How'd you manage to get him in front of a black background Is he a Black Bear or a Brown Bear - can't tell from the B & W conversion. It's a ravishing shot that really conveys a lot. Great work!

Fond regards,

Endre


Jun 02, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Da5id
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · #251: Black Life


Man, that's an incredible capture.

Great work.
Jun 03, 2007 at 04:08 AM
Photon
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · #251: Black Life


Jim, what zoo is it? Every animal park undoubtedly has residents who would be far happier in the wild,
but some are better designed than others in terms of providing a decent and natural environment.
I always feel some conflict between the education and wonder that a good zoo can provide for our children
(and ourselves) and the fact that the animals (particularly the large and highly mobile ones)
are certainly incarcerated, and some of them are highly aware of that.

A very well rendered portrait, with your usual impeccable technique.
Jun 03, 2007 at 08:31 AM
James Markus
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · #251: Black Life


Thanks for all the comments everyone. The zoo is a local small city zoo. However, they are in the middle of a complete rebuild. They also have large cats, and are concentrating on increasing their display space. The snow leopards, and Puma were really complaining a few days ago. They were letting out these incredibly loud calls that were unsettling the whole zoo's animals. You are right Jess! Many animals are acutely aware of their captivity. Endre, Al is correct,,,that it is a Grizzly bear. As to the black background...well..PS helped a bit.
Jun 03, 2007 at 12:58 PM
relms
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · #251: Black Life


Jim,

What an incredible job that you have done in capturing the emotion that this guy is surely feeling. It makes my heat ache when I think about the unnatural lifestyle that most of these animals are forced into for the entertainment of mankind. The eyes really do say it all.

Robert
Jun 04, 2007 at 08:26 PM
James Markus
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · #251: Black Life


Thanks Robert. It is really a catch 22 thing. A zoo is educational, but if you build too natural of a setting nobody can see any of the animals because they hide in some tucked away corner. This bear display is a vertical fake rock - store front window type. Not near enough room...and far from natural.
Jun 05, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Philly Rains
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · #251: Black Life


A wonderful capture, Jim! And congratulations on making the finals, too!

I always loved the Zoo, but had the same feelings when I looked into the eyes of the big animals....especially the Tigers, and Lions.

We have a local refuge for big cats, and they take in bears, too. All of the animals have been rescued from private owners who came to the realization that they weren't capable of taking care of them. Their goal is to provide large, natural habitats for all their rescued animals.

Right now, they're in the process of building more 'natural' habitats, but always need donations. They're tax deductible.

If you want to see what is being done for these creatures check out:
www.turpentinecreek.org or watch a release: http://m1e.net/c?67150627-0YP2EPScoEVTc%402512291-QrJc2qBqy2WSk


Hope you don't mind my using your thread for this wonderful cause.




Jun 05, 2007 at 01:27 PM





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