Mr Curious

[Marc Mol]

A very curious 3 year old Kalahari male Leopard, Deception Valley, CKGR- Botswana.

D3 500VR 1/180s ISO400@f/4. Monopod from vehicle. cropped for vertical comp.

C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc

http://africaddict.smugmug.com/Nature/Botswana-Sept-2009/D315658ba/766356239_2KK3H-X2.jpg

[peter delaney]

Lovely youngster.. look at that red nose...
sharp were it is needed...

only thing i am not convinced by is choice of composition..
this crop would have worked better if you were a foot or so more to the left with the leopards back running down the middle of image..

[Morkel Erasmus]

lovely details and light, I agree with Peter regarding composition, but when you're there you take them as they come and move into position if possible :)

the eyes are tack sharp, and I'm wondering if selectively sharpening the snout will enhance the face?

[Rose de Ludlow]

Beautiful animal - love all the whisker detail around his face.

[Marc Mol]

Thanks Peter



this crop would have worked better if you were a foot or so more to the left with the leopards back running down the middle of image..

That is my original F/F image Peter, as stated this was cropped for vertical portrait.
Original here:

http://africaddict.smugmug.com/Nature/Botswana-Sept-2009/D315658a/732123591_mTV6v-XL.jpg

[Marc Mol]

Thanks Morkel


the eyes are tack sharp, and I'm wondering if selectively sharpening the snout will enhance the face?

Have tried, the nose is just missing AF unfortunately. In hindsight, f/8 would have been preferable.:(

[peter delaney]

Hi Marc

i like the full frame version than vertical ... maybe a tighter crop in landscape

[Harshad Barve]

Excellent image Marc and Peter's repost took this over the top
TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Marc

Really nice image of a handsome beast.;) The clarity and sharpness is spot on, however I think your original is the better of the two IMHO, although working from a web image is not ideal to illustrate a suggestion sadly, which is not a reflection on Peters repost I might add! Sorry Peter, did not mean to sound rude or derogatory to you.

Personally I would suggest back into levels and dropping the mid slider to the right, WDYT? I would also like to see a more 'radical' crop, much tighter in on the face.

Whatever you decide Marc, this is still a fine image.

cheers
Steve

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Marc

They all look very good and each has its own appeal, the idea of a real tight crop is appealing since it will show the face larger !! The downward angle does not help but can't be helped ... tighter would help here also. Very appealing image and one I would love to have !!!

[Kiran Khanzode]

Stunning clarity in the eyes and great shallow DoF. If mine, I would warm up the color temp just a bit.

[Todd Frost]

Nice looking animal. Agree with the tighter crop idea and midtone adjustment. TFS
Todd

[Marc Mol]

Hi Marc
I would also like to see a more 'radical' crop, much tighter in on the face.
cheers
Steve

Here it is Steve
Resized via Genuine Fractals 6 with some selective sharpening on the nose and eyes with mid slider down to .80.

http://africaddict.smugmug.com/Nature/Botswana-Sept-2009/D315658da/766960741_FMZyf-XL.jpg

[Stu Bowie]

Excellent detail Marc, and you certainly focussed on those eyes nicely. I would leave your OP comp as is, but I would tone the overall image down a tad.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Marc

Appreciate you posting this based on your PM. I can understand your possible reservations about the sharpness and depth of field, but I do think this has value & merit for others, if only to illustrate thoughts.

TFS
Steve

[Ken Watkins]

Marc,

I prefer the original, from what I have read lately CKGR is seeing more good predators not just Lions!