This is the same leopard cub that I have been posting image of. Right after taking this image, i was so happy looking at it on the back of the camera LCD. But now at home with the big monitor, I have been having a difficult time with colors and getting the image "right." Would like your comments and feedback here.
5D3
500f4
1/1300
f5.6
ISO-1600
Fill Flash, 0EV
Monopod with Mongoose 3.6 head - monopod worked great, first time I used one.
The next frame the flash did not fire, the colors look duller, so I prefer to work with this frame.
Cropped slightly all around for comp and removed the distracting highlights.
Hi Loi -- Really enjoying the images from your trip , nice sharp outcome here. I feel the face of the Leopard can be brightened selectively . Also i feel it is a bit cramped need more space in front of the Leopard but since u say it is slightly cropped than i doubt there will be any space to work upon unless u stretch the canvas ( i always find it difficult to do when a lot is to be stretched ).
Hi Loi. Tough light you had to work with but you handled it well, fill flash certainly helped.
I would rotate the image CCW if you have the space, the leopard feels like it is going to fall over to the RHS?
I don't mind the foliage at all, nicely framing the cat. Perhaps tone down the bright tones with a luminosity mask at 30%?
Hi Loi - I like the foliage framing the leopard and the pose with it walking on the branch. I do wish the highlights on the paw weren't blown and you may be able to burn them slightly. You specifically asked about the color and although I know some of the trees have a reddish hue to them, I thought it was a bit strong here. I did a hue/saturation layer, masked out the leopard so its color wasn't affected and then dropped the magentas -100 and the reds -40. WDYT?
Hi Rachel, I noticed the Magnenta hue on the tree as well and dropped some, but not enough. Your version took some more, but I think it looks a bit cool. Yes, I know about the blown paw :(. Thank you. Loi
Just a brief one to say I am really happy you had such wonderful sightings on your last trip!
Capturing a leopard up there on a tree branch is always challenging, but I think you did so well, given the conditions. If this lovely image was mine I would not give up until I was entirely happy with my PP work. Perhaps you could try to selectively reduce exposure on the problematic paw - I think some detail is still there to be recovered.
Unlike Rachel - who did a great job with the colour casts - you have the RAW to play with. I personally feel the eyes could be a tad brighter without looking odd, the tree branch at the top is a bit too contrasty and you could reduce the brightness of the light coming in on the RHS of the image. Maybe give it a rest for a few days and then revisit?
Always a pleasure to view your images, Loi. I am no master when it comes to PP work and still learning, ever so often relying on you (BPN members) and moderators of course, to take my processing one step further. I believe you have a good image to begin with, just needs some extra TLC Enjoyed viewing, thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you all for your comments. I will need to spend more time with this image like Gabriela said. The colors seem off to me, too Orange and muted. Not sure if I can bring life back to it, but I will give it another try later. Loi