Leopard Looking

[Rachel Hollander]

This is another one of the leopard mom taken in the Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa. She was focusing on the hyena that had stolen her impala kill earlier. The hyena having gorged on it eventually abandoned the kill without a fight and the leopard took it up in the tree.

Canon 5D3
70-200 II @ 182mm
1/400
f6.3
ISO 800
EC+.67
HH from a safari vehicle, cropped for comp, luminosity mask, levels, curves, selective color adjustments, sharpened in CS5.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

P.S. I've also converted this one to b&w which works well but I thought I'd share the color version first, as I prefer it slightly over the b&w.


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[Marina Scarr]

That is one gorgeous creature, Rachel. Like his stance, curled tail, paw up and teeth showing. This captures works well in his environment.

[Austin Thomas]

A beautiful subject, caught mid stride. I really like the raised front foot, open mouth and visible eye.

Plenty sharp enough on the head and I like the way that the tones in the background complement the Leopard.

It is always nice to see one out in the open as well.

Cheers

Austin

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Rachel, excellent capture, really like the 'alert, hunting mode' pose in this image.

Looks like you had some great light which is a nice departure from your previous images. Overall, well processed with good detail & definition.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Marina, Austin and Steve. Yes, Steve, the first day before the kill was up in the tree, she was out in the light :bg3:.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Morkel Erasmus]

looks like a nice open patch for the traditionally dense Timbavati bush, Rachel
I too like the pose and IQ overall, just wonder about toning down brightest brights a tad?

[Russell Johnson]

Great to get a leopard out in the open.

I would agree with Morkel on taming the brightness a touch. A used a lumo mask set to multiple, then painted out the leopard to help it pop a bit more.

[Hilary Hann]

What a beautiful image Rachel, I love this.

[Tom Graham]

Agree with above about taking down the brightness. Of the whole image a bit, but more so of the grass. Our eye is drawn towards areas of brightness and/or high contrast. Toning down the grass will make the leopard pop more.
Tom

[peter delaney]

Hi Rachel

hope you dont mind my take on the image.. felt the leopard and grasses were too yellow and not enough contrast separating them both

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks all, I'll take a look at the yellows and highlights but I think they are fairly accurate. Peter - thanks for the repost always nice to have another take on it but it feels a bit too cool to me and the blacks seem a bit choked.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Tom Graham]

wait, wait, wait, my turn :S3:
This work in PS darkening a bit overall and running a little Velvia action to enrich color of leopard.
And I do like the image itself.
Tom

119998

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Tom, but too dark for me, perhaps somewhere in between the OP and yours might work but this is all in the eye of the beholder and there is no right or wrong answer, just different visions

Rachel

[Tom Graham]

sorry about double post. Don't know why. But BPN seems "jittery" to ma now.
I'm going to reboot my DSL, maybe that will fix it???
I hope. Tom

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Tom, just deleted your double posting for you. :5

[Tom Graham]

thanks Steve, I powered cycled my DSL (internet link) and my router and WWW seems much better now.
Please delete this also if you think to off topic.
Tom

[Sid Garige]

Perfect techs Rachel. Great comp and complementing background.

[Steve Canuel]

Rachel,
I like the pose with the raised paw and curled tail. Also like the bush in the BG spreading out behind the cat. Your OP for me on this one.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Rachel, its always great to see and capture these guys ( in this case - girl ) in the open. Great angle from the leopard and angle of capture, and love the alert stare with the raised foot. Sharp where it counts, and I feel your OP is just fine.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Sid, Steve and Stuart, much appreciated.