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Thread: The Descent

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    Default The Descent

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    On a recent photo safari, we spent some time with this female leopard as she fed on an impala kill she hoisted into a tree earlier in the day, this image is of her descending from the tree after eating her fill for the time being, the source of light was a spotlight being shone from another vehicle in the sighting.

    Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

    Camera NIKON D3S
    Focal Length 200mm
    Shutter Speed 1/50
    Aperture f/4.5
    ISO 2500


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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Love the diagonal here Brendon, with the S/S & blurred paw really making this spotlit.
    I'm taking it that you selectively reduced the BG to black in PP right?


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    Thanks very much Marc, As the image was shot when it was already completely dark, the bg was already black, i did however remove a few grasses sticking up into the frame.

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brendon Cremer View Post
    Thanks very much Marc, As the image was shot when it was already completely dark, the bg was already black, i did however remove a few grasses sticking up into the frame.
    Yes, I find that's the case with my spotlit images, there's always a few strands of grass that always catch some light.


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    Brendon, this is a beautiful image. The dark BG really makes the subject stand out! Nice sharp head and that motion blur really takes this up a notch. Well done.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Brendon - another well done spot lit image from you. I too like the diagonal and the blurred foot. Sharpness on the face looks good. Love the way all the whiskers stand out.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    The sharpness of the face with the blurred paw at 1/50 blows my mind.
    Take a bow, mate
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Brendon, glad you posted this one, probably your best IMHO, it's a cracking image.
    As Morkel said, techs are mad, but great/fantastic results!!! Love the fact the subject is on an incline, blurred paw adds to the movement of the subject and the light just works with the rich black BKG, I just wonder if it would sit better L to R, flipped coming into frame rather than out, WDYT? Have you shown 'H', bet he is spitting feathers . Nice work Brendon, but it seems you are setting a trend on these images now from what I've seen.

    TFS
    Steve

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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Hi Brendon,

    fantastic image, the blurry paw does the image. Great done.

    Ciao
    Anette

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Brendon , even if i am not a big fan of this kind of shot , i must say it looks nice . Nice detail/sharpness for the slow SS and the blurry paw is an interesting contrast to sharpness.

    TFS Andreas

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    I am puzzled and bewildered as well as enchanted viewing this, Brendon! How on earth did you manage that sharp head of the leopard at 1/50s?!? I gather the paw had more movement, but the head and body must have been moving too, even slightly? And these massive whiskers shining in the dark - whoaaaa, you really nailed this, mate!!! Love the angle and POV (makes me imagine the photographer was "perched" on a branch nearby), outstanding work, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Thanks very much all. It is a Technique that i have been playing with for years and it simpler than you think, the key is being steady and panning correctly. This was shot off a beanbag and using a panning plate on my setup, this provides the best platform. Thanks very much once again.

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    brendon, really lovely image. Not only that you panned so well at 1/50, but you nailed the exposure here. I know it is really tough lighting condition. Without panning, you would have to push the ISO way up. Glad to hear about the technique. TFS. Loi

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Cool shot Brendon. I really like the contrast of the leopard's color against the inky black BG. Also like the shadows on the head and shoulders and the texture of the tree.

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    Thanks very much all, very much appreciated

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