I had a tough time with this kid. The tigress was resting barely 10 meters away in a ditch. This kid was playing hide and seek with its brother and sister. This is one such moment.
Canon EOS 1D Mark II, at 800mm (EF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM + EF 2xII) at ISO 800, Aperture priority mode, EV+1/3, f5.6, 1/320. Full frame.
I like this image and the cub's intense stare. I understand that he is moving around but I would prefer to have seen more room for the virtual legs and tail (not seen but you know they are there) as it appears tight. I suggest crop into a 3/4 torso, right at the top of the leg (see repost). I also added contrast (s-curve using curves adjustment) and lightened the image with a levels adjustment.
Contrast-wise I think Robert did a really good job in the repost. Regarding the composition....I think your photograph is a bit tight, but I still prefer it over the composition in the repost. Must have been a memorable moment to see and photograph these in the wild. Seems like a difficult job with all that vegetation.
Robert, I always appreciate your inputs. I agree with the contrast. If this would have been a 21MP file, then I would have cropped from the neck portion into a vertical.
Jasper: I was following one tigress and this cub and its siblings. This particular day was frustrating, as they were in the tall grass and hardly visible. And they were about 10 meters away. Previous day morning, I had photographer its mom drinking water. And couple of days later I shot the tigress stalking in the grassland and these cubs were watching from a hill top. Perhaps these are the moments, which push all of us nature photographers to wake up that early morning or face that rain and storm.
I certainly understand what your up against and given that, I opted for a tighter crop suggestion but in the end it is up to you how to present the subject. I do see that you used a 2x for the image. A 1.4x would have given the crop that Jasper suggests.
Hi Sabyasachi,
Tough to get the images without the stray grasses/twigs but I envy your opportunities to get the images you do. I like the intent, playful look of this cub. I also like the textures of the grass and tree trunk. Ideally, I would also like to see a little more environment around him. Keep them coming.
Steve
Robert, Jasper, Steve:
I agree that a 1.4 would have given more space.
The effective focal length for this shot was 400*2*1.3 = 1040mm
I had mounted a 300mm F4+1.4x TC on a 40D and had fitted it on a bush Hawk. The effective focal length of this combine was 300*1.4*1.6 = 672mm
I was using them both. Just that for this shot, this cub ran through the grass and emerged at a slight opening. I didn't have much time to shift to the other combination. I do detailed planning for lens combinations based on my predictions of where the tiger will emerge. Still go wrong at times. Will keep this in mind the next time. The more I learn, the more I feel like a beginner.
Its been wonderful interacting with you guys here.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi
Taking pictures in the real wild can sometimes be realy frustrating, but you got the shot. Perfect backgrounds or foregrounds are not often possible. I like this in spite of the grass nuisance!
Tiger Cub
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