Hunting impala.

[Marc Mol]

"Madonina" the 2 yr old leopardess has just spotted a small herd of impala, I was fortunate that the foliage left an opportune window for me to capture her on the hunt.

I sat patiently with her for over an hour during which time the heavens opened up a downpour, unfortunately for her the impala had their wits about them on this morning and alluded capture.

Nikon D4s Nikkor 400 f/2.8E FL 1/500s f/4 ISO5600. Bean bag from front pax seat. Almost F/F, dark vignette -50, curves , levels, TK adj, in ACR & PS CC'15.

Ruaha Nat Park- Tanzania. (green season.)

I'm off tomorrow to the Central Kalahari GR- Botswana for 2 weeks mobile camping to test out my new D5, really looking forward to what already appears an awesome AF machine. Catch you all then. :wave:

Cheers
Marc

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Marc wonder why you kept this stunning frame under the hood ... i absolutely love it !!!!!!
Brilliant work in capture !!!:cheers:

Just the colors do look a bit off to me , but you have been there .

Good luck with your D5

TFS Andreas

[Marc Mol]

Hi Marc wonder why you kept this stunning frame under the hood ... i absolutely love it !!!!!!
Brilliant work in capture !!!:cheers:

Just the colors do look a bit off to me , but you have been there .

Good luck with your D5

TFS Andreas


Looking back at it after posting Andreas, (but too late to edit) the colour saturation & contrast could do with a boost I feel, and perhaps a touch more darkening vignette?

Cheers

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Marc i would not touch contrast , i think it is enough !!!
I also think the vignette is more than enough .
What bothers me a bit are the colors , a bit too cool in parts and a bit too red in the leopard .
The " whites " in the cat do look a bit "muddy" to me .
Please take this as total personal view , i might be " wrong " , and as always just a matter of taste :S3:

Cheers Andreas

[Marc Mol]

I'm more referring to the grass sat/contrast than anything else, for me personally.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Marc,

I guess you are packing for your next trip, how exciting! Looking forward to some feedback about the D5 when you are back, I am sitting on the fence here LOL.

I love arty shots and so I find this very interesting, well seen and captured! Read your story with much interest and I can just imagine Madonina's disappointment when she realised the hunt was over!

Marc, I know it's too late to RP as you are feverishly getting ready for your travels, so let me be brief and say I echo Andreas's comments regarding leopard colour, in the same breath I must say I see great potential within this frame. As well as a B/W conversion:)
Chat when you are back, bring back some stunners, travel safely and do have loads of fun:wave:

Kind regards,

[Andre Pretorius]

Hi Marc

Envy your time spent in the bush behind a lens!
Unusual capture here of this leopard, like it!
My take on this- cropped to 7x5, placing leopard's eye using rule of 1/3's.
Sat layer applied.
Selective sharpening for web.
WDYT?

Ps: do enjoy the CKGR, haven't been back there for years- planning one in dry season..( please send trip report?!)

[keith mitchell]

Really like the way you have presented this Marc,amazed that you where able to catch this appearing in that gap,excellent.

Keith,

[Marc Mol]

I'm liking this Andre, the crop works well,

this will be my first green season CKGR with good reports of recent rains bringing new life everywhere.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Stunning frame mate!
Well thought out and captured. My kind of shot.
I also feel the leopard had too much red and magenta in her, Andre fixed that.
Enjoy CKGR and that D5!! :5

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Marc - What a beautiful, well thought out frame. I'm sure it won't surprise you that I too agreed with Andreas on the color issues. :Whoa!: Enjoy your trip. Looking forward to seeing the images when you get back.

TFS,
Rachel

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

A stunning frame, very unique and classy. Love the concept here and you pulled it off very well. Agree on the minor color issue and Andre fixed it nicely. Well done.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Marc, certainly an opportunity well used here, and what perfect framing through the foliage. I agree with the above comments regarding the colour of the leopardess, but Andre has sorted that.

Safe travels, and good luck with your new toy.

[haseeb badar]

Hi Marc -- I agree with the above comments regarding the colour , but a stunning frame altogether , Loved it !! TFS !

[Stuart Philpott]

A stunning frame for me to view aswell Marc. The image speaks volumes to me,enlightening in some ways: how so much oof foliage can work in an image. Marc even the thumbnail caught me eye as something that was going to be a bit special to view. I feel to inept to comment on colour,but sincerely adore the concept and execution. Have a fantastic trip and cheers muchly for sharing!! Once again my eyes have been opened to future possibilities by one of the number of Africa photographers whom post here . For me the huntress in her element.

take care

stu

[Ritesh Nangare]

loved it totally .....

love the FG, and subject .....

TFS...