Zawadi at Rest

[John Lowin]

Zawadi, meaning "Precious Gift" in Swahili is the name the local people gave this beautiful female leopard. Called "Shadow" on BBC's Big Cat Diary, she was the daughter of the famous leopard "Half Tail". After photographing her on two of our safari's, two years apart, we hoped to see her again on our third trip, six years later. We were unable to locate her but found one of her daughters. We learned later that unfortunately she had been killed by local natives for killing one of their goats.

This is a scan, so no detailed exposure data is available. Thanks for looking, hope you like my image. C and C welcome, I'm here to learn. I have run Topaz Denoise on this image, this just seems to have been very grainy film. - John

[Ken Watkins]

John.

This is a very good image which is in my view spoiled by the presence of the twigs slicing through the head, fortunately they are behind and can be easily removed by use of the clone stamp.

[John Lowin]

John.

This is a very good image which is in my view spoiled by the presence of the twigs slicing through the head, fortunately they are behind and can be easily removed by use of the clone stamp.

Except for the ones that go through the whiskers.

[John Lowin]

This is as good as I am capable of doing. I'm not a retoucher.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

John
As soon as I read Zawadi I knew who. What a spectacular portrait of my favorite big cat. I am blown away and indeed, your retouching skills are superior as indicated by that repost. I would probably only have removed the twigs in the top LC. This picture makes me smile and want to bring out my Big Cat Diary Leopard book and read it cover to cover yet again!

Thanks for sharing Zawadi. :)

[John Lowin]

Hi John, your retouching skills are better than you credit yourself for. The repost is much better. The image is stunning. Getting in such nice contact with a leopard is simply a rarity.

Thanks Peter for your kind words. I have a lot to learn and a long way to go.

[John Lowin]

John
As soon as I read Zawadi I knew who. What a spectacular portrait of my favorite big cat. I am blown away and indeed, your retouching skills are superior as indicated by that repost. I would probably only have removed the twigs in the top LC. This picture makes me smile and want to bring out my Big Cat Diary Leopard book and read it cover to cover yet again!

Thanks for sharing Zawadi. :)

Hi Akos, I truly appreciate your comments. She was my favorite also. - John

[Fabs Forns]

Terrific repost and you kept the painterly look that is evident in this image. Some noise reduction of the BG would improve and already excellent image. Well done!

[Ken Watkins]

Hi John,

I must admit to not even noticing the twig in the whiskers. The repost is a lot better.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

John,
I like your photoshop skills. However, removing the branches make it look like as if someone has cleared the place for the leopard to take its seat. May be I am from the Old School of thought!

I am sure, it would have been terrific watching a leopard in the wild. Look forward to more.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi