I thought I would switch it up a bit and post a hyena cub from my 2016 trip. Taken early morning at the den in the Timbavati Game Reserve.
Canon 7D2
100-400 II @ 321mm
1/1250
f5.6
ISO 1600
HH from safari vehicle, ff, layers, curves, TK lumo masks, selective burning of bg, reduced blues in shadows, selective sharpening in PSCC.
C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,
Rachel
P.S. Once again, wishing all of you health, happiness and lots of great light in 2018! If you haven't already done so, check out this annual thread and post your favorite from 2017: http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...-IMAGE-OF-2017
Ha, Rachel, you've beaten me to it. I had a shot of an adult spotted hyena that I was thinking of posting. Your cub is much nice though. The colour palette in this one is great - soft and muted. Love the pose and composition here too. I'm less sure about the light which was obviously quite difficult. I can imagine many interpretations of lighting in a situation like this. I feel this one is a touch on the bright side for my liking although you have managed some nice tone and detail from the shadows. If mine, I'd revisit as I think this is a cracker of a shot.
Who says hyaenas are ugly? Beautiful tones and texture and a cute little face.
Maybe try reducing contrast in the background to make the twigs a little less obvious??