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Thread: Mashatu Leopard

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Default Mashatu Leopard

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    Whilst out on an early morning game drive in the Mashatu Reserve, we came across a family of Leopards. Mom was relaxing in the bushes nearby with a younger cub, while this sub adult and her sibling were playing in this large Mashatu tree. Not long after this shot, she got up and went up the tree. Unfortunately, she went behing the tree to ascend.

    Canon 1D Mark IV
    Canon 100-400 @ 310mm
    1/250
    F/7.1
    ISO 400

    Manual exposure.

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Love the framing and the poised to pounce pose here Stu, might try just a tad more USM on the face, although this isn't a huge issue really.

    Some members might say there is a slight cyan in the whites but not an issue here really for me personally be happy to have this in my files.

    TFS


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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Stu - I love the pose here and the comp. She looks very relaxed here and I like the gaze up into the tree, I guess checking out what her siblings were doing. I see the slight cyan in the whites but not a big deal for me either especially since she is in the shadow of the tree. Nice choice on dof. Congrats on this one.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Stu, nice relaxed pose and the dark green backdrop really lifts the subject nicely. I would have pushed the ISO a bit more, SS is a wee bit low I feel. Wish the tip of the paw was in front of the leaf, but no deal breaker. Glad you managed to get some frames of this lovely animal.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Hi Stu -- Excellent IQ ! liked the look on the leopards face and the colors look superb ! wish that leaves in LHS corner covering the paws weren't their but that is all part parcel in this genre of photography !! TFS

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  10. #6
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    I really like the animal's gaze up the tree.....makes me wonder what she is watching. The diagonal composition of the foreground is strong and the separation from the background is excellent. For me, a little bit off the bottom would strengthen the composition...but then you might want a tad more at the top. Was this cropped?

    All in all, a wonderful image that only heightens my excitement about my first trip to SA later this year!

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  12. #7
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hello Stu!

    Wonderful capture of this youngster and I just love those outstretched paws:) Well composed, nice and sharp (how did you get away with 1/250s?!?) Subject stands out beautifully against that dark BG, nice detail, well processed and presented overall - I enjoyed viewing, thank you for sharing

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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  14. #8
    Lifetime Member Andre Pretorius's Avatar
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    Hi Stu

    Love this pose with the that look!
    Agree with Steve about the foliage and the foot, but that's the moment you captured.
    The dark BG works well here to accentuate the cat.
    Looked, looked again- can not see cyan cast in whites

    To me though the termite eaten wood is a bit too distracting, sharper, or crop a bit tighter from the bottom..just my take..
    Regards

    Andre.

    www.gappimages.com

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Hey Stu - nice one here, and good to see you posting.
    I like how the leopard pops from the deep green BG here, and always enjoy those wide open eyes taking everything in. The leg on our left looks to be in a weird position - how was it lying?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    OOH I like this one a lot mate. Superb IQ and detail and the look up is tops...Nice one mate!

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  20. #11
    Lifetime Member Ákos Lumnitzer's Avatar
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    Typical lazy cat pose IMO Stu.
    Wonderful image with a nice colour palette.
    Thanks for sharing mate.

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