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Thread: Leopard Grooming

  1. #1
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    Default Leopard Grooming

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    This Leopard capture was created in the Lower Masi Mara. I try very hard to maintain eye level whenever possible, not always easy, i.e., hyrax vs. giraffe. I was very lucky in this case to find this beautiful cat reclining on the ground.

    Critique and comments eagerly sought, I'm here to learn. Thanks, John

    f/8 - 1/200 - ISO 400 - 500mm
    Canon EOS 1D MkII
    Canon EF 500 1:4 IS USM
    Kinesis Gear Safari Sack (Bean Bag)

  2. #2
    Fabs Forns
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    Hi John, beautiful animal for sure and you got him nice and sharp. I would use the burn tool set to 10% opacity and on midtones, to go over the borders of the vegetation to keep the eye in the picture and give hte image a more intimate feel.

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    Hi Fabs, Thanks again! I will do that. You caught me on both my Avian and Wildlife submissions. Your help is truly appreciated. - John

  4. #4
    Fabs Forns
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    My pleasure!

  5. #5
    Alfred Forns
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    Hi John Looks great and it was a great find !!! Can only add I would consider raising the ISO in that situation, very easy to end up with a slightly soft image (this is fine) ... just to be safe !!! Excellent image !!!

  6. #6
    Robert Amoruso
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    John,

    Nicely composed and even though the BG is busy, the cat is so strong in the image it is not distracting.

    As the light was strong, I recommend reducing contrast using a reverse s-curve (http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=20434).

    Thanks for posting and looking forward to more images.

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    Thank you Robert. I have combined your and Fabs' suggestions and they make a definite positive improvement. Many thanks for both of your excellent guidance. - John

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    Nice capture of this grooming behavior... hope to see more of your work.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fabs Forns View Post
    Hi John, beautiful animal for sure and you got him nice and sharp. I would use the burn tool set to 10% opacity and on midtones, to go over the borders of the vegetation to keep the eye in the picture and give hte image a more intimate feel.
    Hi Fabs and John, Fabs, I am confused by what you wrote above; could you explain it please and let us know why you would do that. Thanks.

    John, the folks have nailed the critique; love the cat and the tongue. The BKGR is a bit busy and unevenly lit in spots.
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  10. #10
    Fabs Forns
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    I was referring to a technique of darkening the borders of the image, used by printers, in labs as well as digital post processing, as a way to keep the viewer's eye inside the picture. Since highlights attract more attention than darker colors, if the eye confronts a darker area, it would most likely go back to the lighter center.
    In this case, a little darker vegetation will serve as a frame to the subject.
    Nik Color Effex pro has one filter just for that purpose: Darken/Lighten Center/Borders and I first heard of this technique in a Ben Wilmore NAPP PS class.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Ah, I got it now. Thanks for the clarification.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

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    Beautiful, dramatic capture. Robert and Fabs suggestions are both very good ideas to make this image even more appealing. Well done!

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