We it's nice to get back into the saddle again and post, just been incredibly busy and haven't had too much time to do any PP.
This is one of three brothers we came across sitting on and around a huge termite mound. Occasions like this I just sit and wait as you know something will happen and right enough, with 20 mins this Cheetah took down a 2-3 day old impala calf which the three brothers despatched within 20 minutes.
I've cropped about an inch off the top as I had a light area above the head which was sky up until it met the main BKG, the termite mound. I also chose this to accompany Rachel's lion shot with the eye.
Thanks for the previous comments on the Polar bear.
Cheers
Steve
Subject: Close-up of a male cheetahs head (Acinonyx jubatus) Location: Botswana, Selinda
Camera: Canon MKIV
Lens: 500f/4 plus 1.4 (resting on bean bag)
Exposure: 1/250s at f/9 ISO400 +0.33 EV Comp
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
The FP was bang on the eye which I wanted, the fly was annoying element which could have gone, but if it was sharp????
do I detect a touch of cyan overall?
Not sure, perhaps a hint so just added a Curves adj only on the head and it's lifted it a little more, as I quite like the blueish/coolness of the mound in the BKG, thanks.
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Excellent detail showing that nice amber eye colour Steve, the RP has just tweaked out the slight cyan cast, I too like a little extra if it presents itself, so hardly annoying to my eyes,
would have thought that perhaps f/9 would have got both the eye, fly and even the lower tick(?) in focus, it just misses.
Just for extra insurance, would have gone to ISO800 for an increase in S/S considering the added tc.
Hi Steve - this complements my lion shot nicely. Excellent detail and sharpness even with the slow ss. The color adjustment in the rp is subtle but worth it. The fly doesn't bother me on this one.
love this fly and you even sharpened the flea, if the fly did not make it enough to be sharp than at least the flea makes it up to it.
Love the details, your language in this one very much
Have a great day
I just love close-ups, therefore my eyes were drawn to this image instantly. The RP is perfect, colours sorted. I can never find fault with the way you present your images, the crop is great as always and the techs spot on. I like to see the little "extra", or "extras" rather, and by the way the insect underneath is probably a sand tampan (ornithodorus savignyi). I am so drawn to the eye, there is a tiny reflection there and I would love to know what the cheetah was looking at...The fur looks just right, colour wise as well as texture (slightly coarse, as is in real life), great work Steve!!!
The IQ of this image is quite amazing, given the fact that you used a bean bag as support and your shutter speed was a mere 1/250s. What were the lighting conditions like? Would love to be a fly (err...not a tampan!) on your wall when you are busy processing
I would love to know what the cheetah was looking at
In answer to your question, it had picked up the cries/sound of both mum & calf, hence the intense and focused stare. Shortly afterwards it got up on all four from that 'sitting' position and then like a bullet, took off. The whole 'moment' was over in less than a minute, it was that quick as you know.
Been stretched a little, so PP has had to take a back seat here, BTW found one of the new owls from last year.
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Your answer is very rewarding, I had this this "anticipation" of your cheetah just about to take off, the stare, the gasping breath, she does not pay attention to those annoying insects, the tiny sihlouette barely visible in her eye, mouth half-open...I thought "... maybe it's just my imagination yet things are somewhat different here..."
I was just thinking - you and others playing with images, with ideas, me playing with words when certain images have the capacity to move my imagination (like this cheetah). In terms of photography, I have so much to learn. All I have is this ability to understand wildlife to a certain extent, and therefore I often anticipate what my subject is about to do. I believe I am able to capture emotion, but that's about all I do well. Just wondering what would happen if my processing skills were half as good as yours...You have it all, Steve - the know how, the experience, but most importantly - the vision. It humbles me and I learn from you all I can, reading between the lines and often not knowing "how you did it" but aiming to achieve the same results, aiming to "move" my audience in the same way my subjects move me. I need words to complete the picture - you don't.
I cannot wait to see the owl, please drop me a line if you post it in avian or send me a jpeg version of the young un'
Hi Steve, this needs to be flipped .
You have a nice brother for Rachel`s lion though.
I like it as much as the lion image , because of the tight portrait , very nicely processed and color issue ? sorted out…………..
I am wondering many times , even at f9 you do not get the full head in focus, what should we use for that f16 with this lens combo and being close to the subject ?
BTW i never mind about small stuff like the fly , they are there and part of it, so let the fly live and do not kill her.
I am wondering many times , even at f9 you do not get the full head in focus, what should we use for that f16 with this lens combo and being close to the subject ?
Indeed Andreas, if I get the opportunity again I will try it and the 1DX will give me the extra ISO if needed too.
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
Lovely detail here Steve, and that eye is cool
RP does it for me, OP just had that hint of cyan in the blacks particularly.
I don't mind the fly, but I'm also piqued that it's actually OOF with your aperture setting...
Cheetah close up
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