Cheetah Stare

[Morkel Erasmus]

Another image taken in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park...

This was right next to the vehicle.

Techs:
Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 125mm
f5.6 @ 1/800 SS @ ISO-500

[Callie de Wet]

Another nice one, Morkel. As a small nit, the tail would have been a bonus if visible. Lovely natural colour, but I would like a bit more contrast. Recon about a perfect frame spacing around him.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I like the framing too. To me the colors look flat, but you were there and saw the scene so if this is as close to it as was, then I trust your judgment. Well done Mork.

[Ed Cordes]

This cheetah looks as if it were in the rain or scared. With the tail between the legs and the hair standing up and the expression, it does look a bit startled.

[Steve Canuel]

I like the soft colors of this. Also like the cheetah's placement between the two darker shrubs in the grass. I might darken the pupil in his left eye a bit as that eye seems a little hazier than the right.

[Harshad Barve]

Excellent image Morkelbhai , you gotta love that stare , may be few point contrast boost,
TFS

[Marc Mol]

Apart from the slight flat looking colors, always nice to see a Cheetah with good eye contact, nicely done Morkel.
TFS

[Ken Watkins]

A very natural looking Cheetah, soft colours always look better to me.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks everyone...I wanted to go for a natural soft colour look here...

the cheetah was actually very relaxed and attempted a hunt with his brothers shortly after this shot.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I like the natural colours. Eye contact is fine. Though the tail is not appearing in the image, I am ok with it. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Stu Bowie]

Great eye contact Mork, and it looks like you have selectively sharpened the head to make it pop - if you did - it works for me. I like the surrounding grasses.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Stu & Sabya...
I did add some selective sharpening to the face :)

[D. Robert Franz]

Image looks really nice.. Love the soft light.

[Todd Frost]

Beautiful cat. Central placement works well here. Love the soft light but would like just a touch of contrast/sat boost, does not need much. Mater of personal taste. Very well done. TFS
Todd

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Dale & Todd!

the masses have spoken - here is one with a tad more contrast and saturation...

[Peter Buntman]

Im edging towards the first post as i feel there is no detail in the first post, either one both nice environmental shots and the long grass adds to the image, Nice work<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Peter

[Ajit Huilgol]

Yes, the repost looks better, but not by much, Morkel! However, the 'missing' tail does seem a little distracting.

[Ken Watkins]

Morkel,

I still prefer the first one, I also do not mind the missing tail.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Ken & Ajit...