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Thread: All eyes on the Cub

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default All eyes on the Cub

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    A cute fluffy cheetah cub we photographed at Leopard Hills in the Sabi Sand last year.
    Sad story though, they were 4 cubs, and by the time we visited, only 2 remained.
    Both were killed by other predators within a month after this photo was taken, and the female has moved to a different area since.
    Cheetah cubs have very high mortality rates, and that's even without them being captured for the exotic pet trade in the middle East

    The placement is unconventional for some - there was a tree trunk and some foliage on the left so I cropped it out, and left the space on the RHS cause I liked the bokeh .

    Techs:
    Nikon D800
    Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
    f5.6 | 1/800 SS | ISO-250
    Morkel Erasmus

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    This is gorgeous! Love the bokeh, the placement s fine for me and the heads-up pose of the youngster is superb. Sad to hear about the loss of the other two.

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    It's often side-lighting that makes for a more intersting image and this is a great example here Morkel, with a Cheetah survival ratio of only 1 in 20 to maturity it's a real challenge

    for these mum's at the best of times. Cute pose and great bokeh of course, but this is one case for a square format perhaps, I wouldn't have minded the extra space on the RHS if not for

    the corner tree branch. Good stuff nonetheless

    TFS


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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel - Huge cuteness factor here and such a sad overall story. I too like the side-lighting. I like a bit of negative space so am ok with the comp but do find the yellow at the right edge drawing my eye.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    I like it very much and I don't find the framing bad at all. In fact I generally prefer some offset - it's more dynamic.

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    Hi Morkel -- This works perfectly for me , the additional space on the RHS is actually quite good for the image . Loved the side lighting and that eye contact makes it a very special image .
    Very nicely done Morkel .

    TFS !

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    Morkel I understand Rachels point about that bit of bright vegetation but that apart i really do think this is a superb image,everything about the cub looks spot on and a nice bg to show off all it's features.

    Keith.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel sorry to hear the bad story about the youngsters .... but hey that is how nature works at times .
    Lovely frame with a super cute subject .
    I like the sidelight , specially in the eye , the rest works well as presented .
    Nice work , Morkel
    TFS Andreas

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  16. #9
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thank you, folks.
    Sanjeev - all the cubs died :(
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel 'a bit late to the party' here, but glad you posted this at last.

    Like the framing and position of the subject here and the gaze direct into camera. Personally I might have toned down the brighter highlights in the BKG, but guess that is a personal thing. Certainly has the 'cute' factor.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Excellent image of sweet little one. Love it .
    I can see it in vertical compo.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    The shoot is perfect ,,I would like square cut to avoid tree in the right side
    Gio

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  23. #13
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone.
    I do have a square crop and it works well indeed (the D800 files leave more latitude for cropping than the D3s, that's for sure!)
    Morkel Erasmus

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