Is that Lunch?

Image captured at Zuka with Carl in April 2015.

Was overcast if I can remember correctly.
The two Brothers were patrolling their turf and lying down when tired. We were following them for a while.. One of them spotted some Impalas in the
drainage line below and was very interested. They were after them in a flash, we followed through the bush-
we lost them and they lost the impala...
Love the tail up, shows the interest of the cat.

Was a portrait capture, it did not work. Cropped for comp, some gardening, various adjustment layers.
WDYT?

Nikon D3S with 500f4
1/1000 @ 7,1
ISO 1250
+0,3EV

Hi Andre - It held up well to the crop from portrait to landscape orientation. Techs look good with nice detail. Color seems consistent with overcast day. Did you lighten the eye?

TFS,
Rachel

Hi Andre, I like the intense stare and the inclusion of the tail, like you, I can imagine it twitching as the cat becomes more interested in what it was seeing - the Impala.

I'm second guessing and so could be way off, but I think a tad more on the WB (a bit more 'warmth'), some mid tone and a slight drop in Exposure in the lower third just to bring a bit more tonal range? was the 'gardening' in the top left, however I might have then also softened the grass near the tail too. Techs look good, just wished you had shot this originally in Landscape to retain IQ as the framing works well I feel.

TFS
Steve

I like it very much indeed I can almost feel the texture of the fur. I like the composition and the exposure, the tail is definitely a positive feature.
I see a slight difference in the background also top left and wonder if the edge of the right ear looks a little well delineated - I mention it only because you said you had done some gardening.

Thank you Rachel and Steve!

I was shooting in portrait mode as he was was facing us with legs outstretched down an anthill. Spent some time with them, they were very relaxed (it was only us staying with them)
Was still in vertical as they suddenly spotted the Impala, I was focussed on the cat...therefore the crop.

Ye Rachel, the eyes were a tad lightened as they are the anchor of image- did I overdo it?

Steve- image was shot in Neutral and processed in LR with Neutral profile to prevent choking of blacks. (do not like Adobe Standard, prefer Neutral or Camera Standard Profile)
Looked a bit bleak, after getting WB, the temp was raised to 4500K. Later in PS added some reds selectively on the cat.
The hair of the Cheetah is naturally very coarse, was afraid to push MT contrast to get "over sharpened" effect.
Yes, did remove some bright green blobs in ULHC, a few other places too..
Will try RP with suggestions.

Hi Jonathan
Sorry, did not see your comment:2eyes2:No, didn't come close to any of the ears, they are as shot.
Thanks for comment, love their fur!

Tried an RP from Tiff with the suggestions and some help..WDYT?

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Was still in vertical as they suddenly spotted the Impala, I was focussed on the cat...therefore the crop.

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Andre, if this was on your 'arm' does the lens not have a collar where you can instantly rotate lens/body?

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Looked a bit bleak, after getting WB, the temp was raised to 4500K. Later in PS added some reds selectively on the cat.

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Once you get the right WB, then you need to adjust after that, it just means you are 'playing on a level playing field' IMHO, but I don't think adding Red helped, however I would do 99% of the colour work in LR not PS, just think about the two versions you are working with.

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The hair of the Cheetah is naturally very coarse, was afraid to push MT contrast to get "over sharpened" effect.

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Indeed, almost wirey, I just think you can get more depth from the coat, and the only way is with the original. MT might not be the route, just a thought as there are many options.

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Yes, did remove some bright green blobs in ULHC, a few other places too..

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If you do 'manipulate' the image with any removal, then I think you need to work at a higher % so you can see, then toggle between the two i.e. 100% & 200%. Perhaps don't make it so 'plain' as often a very smooth, clinical BKG amplifies the thought of any 'gardening'.

Just some thoughts Andre :S3:

Hi Andre, love the intense stare, and sharp where it counts. Great pp work to have changed the comp, and I do like the OOF tail. I still need a decent image of a Cheetah. :w3

Hi Andre,

Is that lunch...... no that is a pineapple :w3

Sorry could not resist. Late to the party and I see not much to add. I love the stare on the pineapple, it really is great as well the tail in the image. But that is said already all love, but not the pineapple :2eyes2:

Have a great eve

Ciao Anette :wave:

Hi Andre -- I liked the RP much better , agree with the above suggestions but a very nice portrait , a great animal to watch from close quarters . TFS !

Thank you Steve, Stu, Anette and Haseeb for comments.
Anette, I can just clone some greens on top of his head to complete the pine-apple, his coat is thorny enough....:bugeyed: