Black bears are challenging to expose for because their black fur can easily lose texture and detail if the ambient light is too contrasty. Therefore, the best way to photograph them with the expectation you’ll get good pictures is with a cloud cover that produces soft light. Only then will the shadows not become solid black. It often takes photographers a long time to realize our cameras don’t capture the same detail our eyes can see. The nature of digital sensors (and film in the past) is they gain contrast -- meaning the highlights become brighter and the shadows go darker compared to what we see. If the sun is out and the light is harsh, dark shadows (and black fur) become underexposed to the point of losing detail. You can never go wrong with diffused light with animal photography, with outdoor portraits, and with all nature subjects.
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