Docpelt
New member
Any suggestions for bear photos at Brooks Falls.. I have a D850 with 180-400 lens. Concerned about dark bears with white water background..
Brooks Falls
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90 percent of the time it's overcast so exposure isn't that difficult. If the sun comes out IMO just expose for the bears and live with the rest as best. Presumably you're shooting RAW in which case you should be able to pull the highlights down pretty well. One thing you may want to check on is that I believe they no longer allow the use of tripods. So if you have a monopod you may want to pack it. Are you going on a day trip or multiple days?
Docpelt
New member
Thanks..I'm going for 3 days and then on to Lake Clark. I will definitely take my monopod.. Thanks
Since you're staying there you can shoot mornings and evenings and avoid the sun if it appears. The day trips start showing up about 9am and are all gone by 4 or 5pm. So the best shooting times also fit the least crowded time. It can be very frustrating when there are a lot of people there. They only allow you one hour at the viewing area and then you go to the back of the line. Since you're staying there you can spend mid-day wandering around camp, the lower river, and the lake front. There are plenty of bear encounters to be had other than at the falls. Spend quality time at the falls when there aren't so many people around. With time on your hands it's an awesome place to visit.
Is there a good link to research options for a low budget trip to Brooks Falls, or is that a play on words? I assume you need to apply for a permit to get there, or is that just for lodging? If I show up for a plane ride with a backpack full of camping gear, a can of bear spray, and camera equipment is that an option?
Info on camping near Brooks Falls in Katmai can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/plyovicamp.htm
Thanks for the link, this was a great read and put things into perspective. Sounds like a blast.
Docpelt
New member
Great link, Thanks.. To my knowledge staying anywhere in Brooks Falls either lodge or camping require a reservation but anyone can go for a day trip
After reading all the information, I threw this at Angela:
" When the campground is full, you must travel outside the Brooks Camp Developed Area (BCDA) to camp. The BCDA includes all land and water within a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) radius of Brooks Falls. Most people in this situation hike along the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Road to find a suitable campsite. Others choose to hike up Dumpling Mountain."
She vetoed the option, not because of the short hike or camping in the rain, but because of the bears. A few weeks ago we were riding our mountain bikes on a dirt road in the BTNF when we suddenly came across a young grizzly. Unlike other situations where we were close to the implied security of the van, or hiking and seeing the bears far off, this one was really close. While I was assessing how to get the camera smoothly out of the backpack, she was developing a new perspective about the meaning of being out in the wild.
" When the campground is full, you must travel outside the Brooks Camp Developed Area (BCDA) to camp. The BCDA includes all land and water within a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) radius of Brooks Falls. Most people in this situation hike along the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Road to find a suitable campsite. Others choose to hike up Dumpling Mountain."
She vetoed the option, not because of the short hike or camping in the rain, but because of the bears. A few weeks ago we were riding our mountain bikes on a dirt road in the BTNF when we suddenly came across a young grizzly. Unlike other situations where we were close to the implied security of the van, or hiking and seeing the bears far off, this one was really close. While I was assessing how to get the camera smoothly out of the backpack, she was developing a new perspective about the meaning of being out in the wild.
R.Philip
Well-known member
Easy...test shots and use your "blinkies" as Steve would say. I find the latter invaluable.
Calson
Well-known member
There is a lot of light being reflected off the water that provides fill lighting for the bear. I expose for the face and not the darker body of the bear.
For anyone considering camping you can avoid hauling a bunch of stuff on the plane by eating in the cafeteria. Not cheap but avoids a lot of hassle.
I would most definitely NOT camp in Alaskan bear country without lots of precautions, like an electric fence and separate food & sleeping areas. I'm headed to Katmai/Brooks in the fall, and we will be camping in secured areas. No sense inviting trouble.
Docpelt
New member
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I've read where exposure can be hard with dark bear against white water.. I went to a local water wall fountain in Houston to experiment and practice spot metering. Metered off the green grass. At least the bear held still but ambient temperature 98 degrees
Just back from Lake Clark (Sliver Salmon Lodge). Great trip
No driving to Alaska for at least another month, darn. Fly or Ferry are still the only options.
Blissful ignorance can quickly turn into painful education.
Or deadly
The price of rental cars this summer might pay for the ferry.
Although I have not test bears around here in Germany, I thought I should put in my 2 cents worth ...
Generally spoken you should have enough headroom to cover this situation with the gear you mention. Some time ago I read an interesting article of a guy called John Sherman at Photographylife about 12 vs. 14 bit RAWs. The outcome for me was:
- In most situations 12 bit RAW is enough for probably 98% of the situations I face
- For the remaining 2% I decided to give mew quick access to the RAW settings and I have put them in My Menu on my cameras
I'd love to have this shooting opportunity again
. Good luck fpr you .
I read about that. Also affecting people renting in the lower 48.
RikWriter
Well-known member
Rental car prices are insane. I reserved an SUV for my May Yellowstone trip back in January. 17 days for $1500. I thought that was a little steep, so I kept checking as the trip approached. By a week before the trip, that same SUV was over $3500 for 17 days and I was damned glad I'd made the reservation.
Exactly - I saw the same thing when considering adding a week to my Yellowstone Trip this August. Supply and demand, I guess.
RikWriter
Well-known member
The rental car companies didn't buy any new cars last year and got rid of a lot of the ones they did have due to lack of demand. Now, they're way low on inventory and demand is through the roof.