In The Shadows Black & White

[Rachel Hollander]

I posted the color version of this image a while ago. I tried a conversion in NIK Silver Efex with a slight coffee toning. Taken in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. I had our vehicle shut off all the lights and spot and then had another vehicle light the leopard with its spot from the side only.

Canon 7D2
300 II
1/125
f2.8
ISO 1600
Monopod from vehicle, ff, converted in Silver Efex, levels, curves, sharpened in PSCC.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[Mike Poole]

I've seen lots of shots along these lines using vehicle spotlight, and they've never really caught my attention. However, the conversion here has turned this one into a lovely piece of art, and I think the idea works really well.

I can't go deep enough into the techs of the conversion, but I do like the tones on the lit side and the small amount of detail available on the shadow side. The direct stare finishes it off well

Mike

[Steve Kaluski]

LOL, having just replied to you on Glenns thread you post a B/W image, spooky.

It works and I like the eye contact and heavy shading/shadows. I don't think retaining the grass(?) adds and would loose it in the 'black sea' of the night.

TFS
Steve

[D. Robert Franz]

Wow Rachel... VERY dramatic.. Love it!

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Mike, Steve and Dale. I'm glad you all like this one. Dale, great to see you back posting!

[Glenn Pure]

Rachel, always good to see something fresh and different. You obviously went to a bit of trouble to set this shot up too, which is great to see. Beyond that, I'm still trying to work out what I think about it though. The presentation and treatment is starting to abstract from the subject into a study of shapes and tones - even though the leopard is still clearly recognisable. Parts of the animal are 'missing' in the blackness of the shadows which is part of that abstraction. So one thought I had was whether you could take that abstraction even further but I honestly aren't sure what to suggest. It's certainly a shot that has got me thinking and I've enjoyed pondering it, so thanks for giving this a go.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Top class work Rachel I like it very much.

[haseeb badar]

Hi Rachel -- I like the conversion better than the colour , very dramatic and mysterious feel , suits the subject well. A fantastic image . TFS !

[Rachel Hollander]

Thank you Glenn, Jon and Haseeb, much appreciated.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Rachel, this has a huge 'Well done' all over it. I really like what you have done here, and the angle has also worked out well, especially from a vehicle. Im presuming you were quite far to have reduced the angle. Good eye contact too. Every time I look at this, Im wanting the leopards right eye to be in more shadow.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Stu

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I LOVE THIS IMAGE! Absolutely stunning. Perfect for my liking.
Nicely presented. If anything, just a little more off center would work better for my taste.
WOW!!!

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Akos, much appreciated. I realized I forgot to answer Stu's question about the angle. We were on the opposite side of a slough/stream from the leopard so we were at an equal height on the banks, probably about 30-40 yards away.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dearest Rachel,

You know very well this is my cuppa

Love the penetrating stare from the subject and eye contact. As well as framing. Superb conversion my friend, well processed and presented.

Thank you for delighting us with so many wonderful images this year, much appreciated

Warmest regards,