Nthombi on Morning Patrol

[Rachel Hollander]

This is one of my favorite leopardesses, Nthombi, and I have had the privilege to photograph her on at least 4 trips to the Timbavati Game Reserve over the span of 6 years. She is an excellent mother and has successfully raised several of the leopards now in the area. So she is doing her part to help overcome the leopard's "Vulnerable" status on the IUCN Red List. Unfortunately, the leopards' overall population is decreasing and that trend is expected to continue. The principal reasons given are loss of habitat and prey as well as exploitation. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/15954/0 This was taken early morning as the first rays of sun hit the ground.

Canon 7D2
300 II
1/1600
f5.6
ISO 1600
HH from safari vehicle, slight crop to straighten her lean, levels, curves, color adjustments, sharpened in PSCC.

C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Rachel

[John Mack]

Like the look on the leopard and you caught a nice pose. A little tight in the frame. The light looks quite nice.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Rachel, again a nice encounter, but as John highlighted, it's just too tight in frame, you needed more FG, or the subject smaller in frame. Now this may be as a result of straightening, however if you are using PSCC 2018, straightening and loosing content is a thing of the past. i like the outstretched front paw and chance to the 'right' as viewed, but as posted I think you were on the limits of the 7D, the face in particular hasn't the fine detail. It's there, but to me a fraction coarse. good to see you getting a higher SS.

TFS
Steve

[haseeb badar]

Hi Rachel -- I love leopards and your leopard images are just very nice. I like this specimen and the details you managed to extract. But I am more in agreement with what Steve has to say, details are slightly coarse not as per your usual standard and the lack of space in the FG is a bit problamatic IMO. Would love to see more Nthombi.

TFS !

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Hi Rachel, a nice shot with good light and wonderful subject! Agree the comp is a bit awkward.

[Basil Dardagan]

What a beautiful animal. I really like the light catching her eyes and the low angle

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear Rachel,

"Nthombi", or "Nthombazana" is also the Zulu word for "girl", what an appropriate name for this pretty lady

Judging by the dark nose she is perhaps of an advanced age but in very good condition. Love the walking pose and those tall grasses frame her nicely. I find the composition a bit tight though - she must have been pretty close.

Lighting conditions did not make it easy for you but overall this is well exposed (with the exception of a few patches that appear a tad bright). I do like the way the sun touches her eyes and muzzle though.

Very nice POV and I quite like that she looks away, you gave her lots of space to gaze into. A special image Rachel and the subject so close to your heart, thank you so much for sharing!

Warmest regards,

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. Steve - Not sure what you mean about not losing content when straightening. I have the latest update/version of PSCC but don't know of a new way to rotate.

Thanks again,
Rachel

[Jay Shah]

Rachel, love this image. I like light, look, her being diagonal to the frame, complementary colors in the BG and foreground and patches of green..

Steve did you mean rotating with content aware fill? If so, it is hit and miss depending on the BGs in my experience.

[Rachel Hollander]

Thanks Jay