The volume of salmon in this river in Katmai, Alaska during late July/early August pushes the odds in favour of the bear. Their hit rate may be less than 20%, but that still means they should catch a salmon within a couple of minutes of a period of frenzied fishing. The old, experienced bears tend to have a higher success rate and go about the whole process with a nonchalance born out of historically high hit rates.
The odds of success for the photographer are far lower than for the bear. There are so many more variables at play and most of them are outside of the cameraman’s control.
Ideally the bear needs to be close and head on to the camera and that outcome tends to be as much about luck as rigorous predictive analysis. I also much prefer flat, calm light as opposed to strong and directional, whereas the bear doesn’t care one bit.
This frame works. The bear is sharp and focused on the job in hand and my angle of view is right. There is clarity and yet some dynamism and the light is flat. It doesn’t often happen and when it does, it is always satisfying.
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