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Thread: Leopard

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Default Leopard

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    I thought I would end the year with another image of the mother leopard from the Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa as she and her cub were my favorite subjects I encountered this year. I will post both the color version and a b&w conversion I did. I can't really decide which I prefer.

    Canon 5D3
    70-200 II @ 200mm
    1/640
    f4
    ISO 400
    EC +.67
    HH from a safari vehicle, slight crop from left for comp, levels, curves, selective color adjustments, sharpened and a slight bit of pruning in CS6.

    Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2013 with lots of photographic opportunities!

    C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

    Rachel


    Last edited by Peter Kes; 12-29-2012 at 06:58 AM.

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Default B&W Version

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    And here's the b&w version.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

    P.S. I'm betting Steve will prefer color and Morkel the b&w

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel,
    Different Steve but color for me. The color version is soft and subtle and has an almost monotone look to it anyway that I don't think the B/W really does anything much different to the OP. Both are nicely processed with good detail and it really comes down to taste (as do most of the posted images). I like the comp with the shorter grass "trail" leading through and out the back of the image. With the darker OOF bit in the URC, it gives a sense of the leopard pausing before crossing out into the open to get back to the thicker brush.

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    Hi Rachel,
    I like the color version, it has a subtle, mystique kinda look to it. Very nice image. Happy New Year to you too!
    Cheers
    Sanjeev

  5. #5
    Robert Amoruso
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    Rachel,

    I liek either version. Well-done B&W is always a favorite medium for me so I like the B&W treatment. Composition fits the subject well, because as mentioned, gives a sense of the leopard getting ready to walk off in that direction.

  6. #6
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Steve, Sanjeev and Robert, much appreciated.

    Rachel

  7. #7
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel, the colour works for me, like the very subtle tones & hues.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Steve so far I am right about half my bet

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    Lovely subtle capture ,Rachel.I also like the comp.I prefer the colour version.

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    Hi Rachel

    Lovely image ! my vote for color..! not enough tonal range in B&W ...

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Mmhmm...I'm going to prove your prediction wrong and say I prefer the colour one.
    The B&W is a good attempt but not enough tonal range as Peter mentioned. That doesn't say it's not "workable"...

    In this repost (NB on my still uncalibrated monitor - so note there may be tonality halos that I induced and didn't spot ) I focused on the following:
    1. dodging midtones and highlights on the cat - too much grey similar to the surrounds
    2. burning shadows on the upper BG, the bushes/twigs there lent them to this and actually enabled a kind-of vignette effect
    3. burning midtones in the overall surroundings for tonal range

    Just an idea for a general direction, as I think I overindulged a bit to make the point.
    Adds more contrast, tonal range and "oomph", but may be too much for some folks?

    WDYT?
    Morkel Erasmus

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  12. #12
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone for the kind comments. Morkel - you did introduce a halo (noticeable by the face) but you've given me good ideas for punching up the b&w.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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    Love that colour version , for the reason that it almost looks like a monotone .

  14. #14
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel
    one for the color version for me.

    Like the tonality in the subject with good contrast and detail, but i would like to see overall more colors , not much though, do not want to destroy your thoughts of subtle colors.

    TFS Andreas

  15. #15
    Roman Kurywczak
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    Hey Rachel,
    Another vote for the color for reasons mentioned.....but tweaking the B&W may take that one up a notch so worth exploring.

  16. #16
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks very much Rakesh, Andreas and Roman.

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