With apologies to Stu, my 10,000th post had to be a leopard. So here is one of the Vomba Young Male taken on our trip to the Sabi Sand last year. He was one of our most cooperative and, as a result, favorite subjects. Here he walked in the early, warm morning light. Steve loved to try to capture these walking images and I eagerly joined. This is almost straight ooc. Perhaps a little tight on the right but I thought the light, eye contact and walking pose made up for it.
Thanks to all of the regular contributors on BPN for sharing their knowledge and helping to make BPN a great place to learn. You have been invaluable in my journey as a photographer, not just in the technical and pp aspects, but in making me think about and evolve my photographic vision. I look forward to continuing the process with all of you. Making friends around the world has been a huge plus as well.
Canon 7D
300 II
1/1250
f5.6
ISO 800
Beanbag from safari vehicle, slight crop from left and above for comp, levels, selective color adjustments, sharpened in CCPS.
Dear Rachel -- A big Congratulations for your 10000th post on BPN !! you have a been a great help to me and everyone on this forum and I am sure your images and knowledge has been a great source of inspiration for all of us on BPN ! Wish u many such thousands !!
Coming to the image , Yes it is too tight at RHS but the as u said the light, sharpness, and eye-contact has made for it ! It would have been a cracking image had u achieved a lower pov but i am sure it would have definitely crossed your mind !! TFS
Hi Rachel, no need to apologise for posting a leopard for your huge milestone - big congrats on your 10000th post. Firstly, thank you for all your dedication on the site, especially in wildlife, and helping the newer members along the way. Thanks also for popping into Avian and commenting on various posts there too.
Interesting to see the difference in light quality between the two posts, although this is not about comparisons. I do like your your of choice capture ( vertical ) as you said OOC, and just love the warm colours from the early morning light. Good eye contact, and the angle looks fine having shot from a vehicle. You guys were spoilt on your trip werent you.
Thanks Gents, much appreciate the kind comments and well wishes. Btw I don't believe that I was the only one spoiled on the trip. Besides it doesn't take much - a leopard, copious amounts of Amarula and good company.
And if I was truly spoiled the Vomba Young Male would have looked up about 10-20 paces further away to eliminate the angle of shooting from the vehicle!
After meeting you lot last year, I had no doubt there was various amounts of liquid refreshments going down the hatch every evening. Knowing Steve, probably at lunch time too.
Stu, before going 'off road' on this, I would only have the one beer at lunchtime, BTW you better start saving for 2016 we are both coming out separately this time!!!!
Congratulations Rachel, 10,000 is a huge number of posted images and an even larger impact on the viewers to this list. Much appreciate your comments and posts.
Not too much further to add here Rachel other than this is one of those occassions where everything comes together very nicely, lovely light and low POV, to get any lower you'd have to be almost on the ground
And may I take this opportunity to thank you for being there for me from the very beginning when I joined BPN, for your honest and constructive critique, for your support and encouragement as a fellow photographer - I truly appreciate all those minutes/hours spent to view, comment, and RP
Wonderful image of this lovely leopard in golden light - I wish you many more sightings and opportunities like this in the future, and hope to meet you in person when you return to SA
Rachel,
Congratulations on this milestone. Very good effort indeed!
The image is a wonderful post to celebrate too! The light and the subject/comp are killers!
My favourite cat in the world (except my domestic ones) LOL
Thanks for sharing and see you for another 100,000! At least...
Rachel,
Heartiest Congratulations on the mile stone.
Spectacular image of handsome young one with beautiful wardrobe in golden lights.
Great composition. Love the colorscheme and his eyes.
Hi Rachel coming late to congratulate to this milestone , all the best for you from my side and thanks for keeping this thing running with your help.
A well chosen image for this personal event , i just simply like this frame as posted , no crits .
Nice POV ,colors and tones . Good IQ from the 7D extracted .
Congrats Rachel on the milestone. Wish you many more years here and am sure there will be many more to come who will also benefit greatly from the effort and consideration you put in to comment on our posts. Thanks again from me too
Congratulations, Rachel! You are most impressive; investing so much time and sharing so much of your experience and knowledge with everyone. Thank you and may the force be with you.