Leopard

[Chris van Rooyen]

I photographed this leopard at Sabi Sabi Lodge in South Africa. I used only the light of the spotlight, as I do not like the cold flash look at night. The slow SS results in many blurred images, but the few that work makes for dramatic images of predators.

Camera Model: NIKON D3
Date/Time: 2009:08:23 17:46:15
Shutter speed: 1/50 sec
Aperture: 4
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 3200
Lens: 200 to 400mm
Focal length: 280mm

[Harshad Barve]

what a predator , lovely walking pose and terrific lighting effect , Loved those eyes
IMHO motion blurr adding so much here
TFS

[Ken Watkins]

Marvelous Chris, just goes to show what the higher ISO's are capable of and what good lighting a well placed spotlight can provide. Did you hand-hold this?

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks guys! Ken I used a specially designed goose neck support on the safari vehicle to which I attached a super clamp with my 501 tripod head.

[Harshad Barve]

Chris
We are using jeeps here for Tiger safaris , why dont you post image of special support as it will be beneficial to many :)

[Ajit Huilgol]

Chris,
This is indeed dramatic! What more can one ask for - a leopard walking towards the photographer, the catchlight, the low angle....sigh!

[David Fletcher]

This is a beauty Chris. Love the lighting and space and the leg blur. Top drawer. Pretty cool IQ too. :)

[Morkel Erasmus]

IQ @ ISO 3200 astounding. did you do NR on the BG??
love those eyes and the slow SS resulted in the blurred paw which - as you said - has a dramatic effect...top stuff sir...

[Kartikeya Puri]

Chris,

A sharp image at 1/50 seconds, that's amazing. I like the blurred paw implying motion. As Harshad mentioned, please do share the details of the support, it will be very beneficial to us.

Cheers,
Kartik

[Michael Zajac]

Excellent Shot.Nice exposure and sharpness.I like how he walking toward you.The background colors and sand
add to the picture.Over all well done.

[Stu Bowie]

One of the best leopard images from Sabi that I have seen. Superb exposure with the use of the spotlight, and I like the headon approach. Colours pop so well, and nicely placed in the frame too. Great image Chris.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Hi guys, thanks for the comments. Here is the goose neck I was talking about, basically it fits into a tube that is welded to the frame of the vehicle, and fastened with a wing nut. A super clamp is then clamped onto the goose-neck and the Manfrotto 501 head is fitted to the super clamp. The goose-neck can swivel, and you have the smooth action of the Manfrotto fluid head too. Works like a charm.

[Harshad Barve]

Thanks a ton for picture Chris , will be very helpful
TFS

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Chris,
Fabulous image. Love the low angle, lighting. The sharpness is very good despite the slow shutter speed. Did you do any NR? Appreciate the image of the goose neck support.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Robert Amoruso]

Chris,

Great job on this. Like you I do not like the flashed look but the spotlighting looks fantastic. Well done.

[Danny Laredo]

Wonderful image Chris, love the colors light and low angle.

[Peter Buntman]

Hi Chris, so this is were your hiding your images, This is fantastic, from colour and use of space to pin sharp subject, juts love it.

[John Ippolito]

Outstanding image, Chris. Low angle, motion and pose all add up to a killer shot. Very well done!

[Steve Canuel]

Very nice shot. Would not have thought this was lit using a spotlight. Looks natural to my untrained eye.

[Elmar Venter]

Chris, your images are inspirational. I thought your Pafuri leopard shots could not be beaten, but this is in the same league. Beautiful scene capturing Africa's most beautiful mammal.

[Nagesh Mula]

Terrific image Chris and nice eye contact. Loved everything in this image. Congratulations!!