Leopard - My first Big Cat image

[Rakesh Gupta]

Some images from my 7D and 300/2.8 Combination :

Exif : Aperture Priority, 1/25, F10, ISO 200, 300 mm, AI Servo, Handheld, AWB : Daylight

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/4068448848_7ddcbef9f0_o.jpg

[Harshad Barve]

what a way to get first sight of big cat , you gotta love those eyes here, beautiful pose ,
If mine I may add some space in bottom , frames are quite distractive
TFS

[Rakesh Gupta]

Hi Harshad

Actually same image I posted at INW hence did not modified it at all. The image taken from Safari VAN and also the image is complete from top to bottom except I cropped it from left and right.

[Harshad Barve]

will try to add canvas in bottom for you tonight , frames you can definately avoid ,

[peter delaney]

lovely image... agree about distracting frame.....

peter

[Rakesh Gupta]

Here is the image without Frame.

http://www.mg-india.com/gallery/leopard.jpg

[Stu Bowie]

Congrats on your first sighting, and I like the intense pose. Im glad you didnt cut the tail off, and agree taking a little off the right will work.

[David Fletcher]

Another congrats on your first sighting. Like the way you have cropped this too and agree framing for the internet is not needed so much. Done well with the tricky lighting. If you were to selectively sharpen the Leopard only, that may enhance a few notches.

[philperry]

Lovely sighting. I have to confess that when I saw my first leopard I was so excited I could not hold the camera steady - I guess it helps to keep breathing !

Your original post is great. You could also try a crop putting the leopard's body close to the top of the frame and crop a bit of the right hand side.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Rakesh,
Congratulations on your first big cat sighting! It is always a pleasure sighting a leopard. I like the intense looks. I agree with Phil regarding loosing a bit from the top and from the right. It is better to have more space in the direction the animal is looking or moving. The repost has taken care of the space on the left. You have done well despite the 1/25th shutter speed.

The lighting was tough. The highlights in the bark of the tree behind the leopard and a few leaves have got burnt. There appears to be a few blocked blacks on the body of the leopard. How long did the sighting last?

Cheers,
Sabyasachi