In the Shadows

[Rachel Hollander]

While I saw several leopards on my trip to South Africa and Zambia, the sightings were not so great for images. I had been very spoiled on my prior trips with leopard images. Though here's one taken in South Luangwa N.P., Zambia. This leopard had gotten a drink and taken a rest in a fairly open area before returning to a kill stashed in the tree. I asked that we shut our lights and spot while another vehicle lit the leopard with a spot from the side.

Canon 7D2
300 II
1/125
f2.8
ISO 1600
Monopod from safari vehicle, ff, levels, curves, darkened the area around a little more, sharpened in PSCC.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[keith mitchell]

Rachel I love this one ,so different never seen anything done like this before ,to my eyes it's superb!.

Keith.

[haseeb badar]

Hi Rachel -- This looks wonderful , glad that you shared with us. Leopards always posses that mystery abt them and your image depicts that quite well. I like the was lighting has been handled . Wish you had some more ss , but looks fine at this size . Enjoyed viewing this Leopard image .

TFS !

[Marc Mol]

You kept this one well hidden Rachel, my kinda image!! Well done very nice indeed,

Overall techs and use of the side lit spotlight working nicely here, your slow S/S could have been improved by reducing your exp -2 to -2.5 stops giving you at least 1/500 to 1/750 or more.

Can't help but wonder that this could be improved by gradually darkening further the LHS of this leopard (from the middle of it's face), perhaps by a stop or two, granting us further mystery, just a thought.

TFS

[Gabriela Plesea]

Right up my alley, Rachel

Beautiful expression from this leopard, love the mysterious look and feel of this frame overall and the composition is great.

I particularly like the velvety and rich appearance of the fur, really nice PP work my friend!

Warmest regards,

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you like this one. Marc - this was shot at about -1. I'm not sure I would have wanted to go that much darker.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Marc Mol]

Marc - this was shot at about -1. I'm not sure I would have wanted to go that much darker.

Thanks again,
Rachel

I often use -2 EV and greater, for my spot lit leopard images, just to give you that extra S/S insurance, brightening the leopard later in PP is fairly easy. Having said that, your 1/125s with a monopod has still done the job.

[Alex Becker]

Late to the party so I can only really echo everyone else so far. I really like this shot. As Gabriela said, the PP is fantastic, just such detail tones and details. I like the pop of the eye in the dark. Very cool thinking about using the other vehicle as side light -- must've been quite a sight. TFS

[Jonathan Ashton]

Impressive Rachel, I think this is a really eye catching image, in the right place this would make a beautiful print - love it! I think the darker and lighter areas are just right wouldn't change a thing. I wish I had an image like this tucked away.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Alex and Jon, much appreciated

[keith mitchell]

Rachel I missed this(1/125
f2.8
ISO 1600
Monopod from safari vehicle, ff, levels, curves, darkened the area around a little more, sharpened in PSCC.)made me think a bit,very well done.

Keith.

[Mike Poole]

One of my favourites here from you Rachel, not normally my thing with the artificial light, but here I think it really works.

The stare and the sheer drama created with the lighting would have me phoning the printers if this were mine - asking for the largest size they did.

Mike

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Keith and Mike

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hey Rachel you might know ....i am not fan of night shots at all !!
But this one really works for me !!!!!!
Would not change a thing .
Congrats to this very nice piece of photo .

TFS Andreas

[Rachel Hollander]

Yes Andreas, I know you are not a fan of night shots. Glad to hear that you like this one though.

Thanks,
Rachel