Intense (slight gore warning)

[Rachel Hollander]

A very different look at a leopard in the canopy than Steve's post a couple of days ago. This is the mother leopard taking her opportunity to chow down on the impala. The blue skies peeked through a bit that afternoon.

Canon 5D3
100-400 @ 340mm
1/640
f5.6
ISO 800
EC +.33
HH from safari vehicle, ff, levels, curves, luminosity mask, selective color adjustments and sharpened in CS5/CS6.


C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,


Rachel


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[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Rachel, this life and what big cat predators do, we just push a trolly round and have it shrink wrapped. :bg3:

I like the posture, the inclusion of the front leg and the draped foliage over the shoulder is a nice touch, but just knocking back a few darker stem branches does make a difference, but again, personal taste. :w3I just wonder if the Luminosity is providing a bit more saturation in the coat, I feel it loooks a little warm, but again, that might be the setting? Personally I might look to just opening the eye, cheek, throat and chest a tad & perhaps dropping a little yellow, just to allow the light to give some more form and tonal difference. Perhaps a hint more USM in key parts of the face, but also on the kill.

Techs look good and it seems the 5D is working well for you. :cheers:

TFS
Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

I really like the framing here (framed by the leg) and the IQ is exceptional, Rachel. Good light coming through too.
Good suggestions by Steve.

[Steve Canuel]

Composition's good and nice job on holding the BG sky. Might only darken the bright piece she's chewing leading into the mouth.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Steve, Morkel and Steve for the comments and suggestions. As always, they are very much appreciated. Here's a repost hopefully implementing Steve's suggestions (except the trimming of the leaves). WDYT?

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Rachel, I think that's a lot better especially the whites on the face & chest, not so hot. It could be debated that the part of the face could be between the OP & RP, forehead, bridge of the nose? I still think you should give the 'knocking' back of the stems a whirl, it does make a difference.

Will be looking hard at the next set of images with some of your new found skills, LOL. :bg3:

[Anette Mossbacher]

Hi Rachel, great image of this Leopard. You did already everything above mentioned from the others. So that leaves me to say, great image, well done :))

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Steve and Anette. Steve - that presumes whatever I post next is newly processed, not a safe presumption :S3:

[Steve Kaluski]

I there I was, thinking I could learn something new from a younger member. :bg3:

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Rachel,
like the OP the most , RP is too flat in colors for my taste.
You should ask Steve for a wink , how to get these shiny eyes of his leopards and other image :bg3:.Maybe he tell you.

Like the tight framing and your processing , Rachel.

TFS Andreas

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Andreas

[dankearl]

I think the Leopard looks very nice, I think the kill has to be sharper for this to really work and
I don't think you have the DOF to make that happen.
Still, a very intimate photo, one I would thrilled to have!

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Dan