The Descent

[Rachel Hollander]

Another of the 8 month old male cub in the Timbavati Game Reserve, South Africa in August.

Canon 7D
100-400 @ 100mm
1/400
f5.6
ISO 800
EC +.67
HH from safari vehicle, ff, levels, contrast, selective color adjustments, sharpened in CS5.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Rachel, I really like the way the body echoes the bow of the branch, and that fixed, locked on stare, you know she has seen something!!!

Originally I thought you could crop tighter on the width, but on reflection and personally I think the crop works as presented. Good detail and I like the depth you have in the eyes and surrounding areas. Not sure about the very dense blacks of the markings, but things look balanced, so... I might just try and eek out a bit more tone & depth from the bow, not much and you can always use the Opacity/mask too, if it looks to contrasty. Nice work.

TFS
Steve

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Rachel,
would like to echo Steve`s comment on this one, nice work.

For me your best one of all the images of this series, in terms of color , contrast and tonality.

Well done:cheers:

TFS Andreas

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Steve and Andreas, much appreciate the comments and suggestions, as always.

[Andrew Merwin]

Hi Rachel, I too agree with Steve's comments. I also like the blood spot above the right eye.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Rachel, I like the space you left in front, likewise the eye contact and colour/contrast/tone as discussed above.
A strong image. :5

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Andrew and Morkel, much appreciated.

[Brendon Cremer]

Lovely image Rachel, great eye contact and clarity in the eyes, comp works well for me, great image.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Lovely image quality and texture to the Leopard. The lines of the body and tree trunk work well together. Nicely done

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Brendon and Dumay :wave:

[Roman Kurywczak]

Like Steve, I debated the ULHS tree branches but even I too like them as they give room. A very nice one indeed!

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Roman:wave: