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Thread: Cheetah in the open (HDR)

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Cheetah in the open (HDR)

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    I've still got over 1500 images to process from our Kalahari trip, but this one captured my attention the other night and I gave it a bit of a work-up.

    We followed a trio of cheetahs along the dry Auob riverbed in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa. They had been lying under a tree for the entire day, and got up in the late afternoon to look for supper. Unfortunately their attempt at stalking a springbuck was thwarted.

    I decided to work a few angles on this image since it was a nice clean view to the walking cheetah. I like the way the B&W version came out as well, and might post later for reference. In this one, I created 3 exposures from the RAW file and processed as an HDR in Photomatix.

    I really like the rendering of the cheetah and its environment here as it gives the image a painting-like feel.

    Would love to have your thoughts...does it work for you, or not and why not??

    Techs:
    Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
    f5.6 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-500
    Exp +0.3
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 11-07-2009 at 01:26 PM.
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  2. #2
    Ken Watkins
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    This is excellent, and in a diffrent league to your last Cheetah posting.

    This is of course just my opinion!

  3. #3
    Danny J Brown
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    Hi Morkel: I agree with Ken that this is a drop-dead gorgeous shot right out of "Nature" on PBS. What a lithe creature and an excellent composition by the way. Background is just right in my view. My favorite part about the photo is the mane that appears to be growing out of its neck area on top. No worries on eye contact here. If it were looking at you it might walk into a tree or a landcruiser or something. Very cool.

  4. #4
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks a lot Ken & Danny...
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Most things already said- great image & technique, going to make competition stiff ! Treat us to more of this as you find suitable images.

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    Oh it works just fine, Morkel. This is a very fine image you have here. I love the movement, and the space and colors. Very,very nice work!

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    A big thumbs up on this one Morkel, the body color against the two tone BG is a standout.
    And to think I spent 23 days in Botswana recently and caught just a glimpse of a Cheetah family.:(


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    Fabulous shot Morkelbhai ,
    TFS

  9. #9
    Jared Gricoskie
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    This is a great shot, the background looks great, so does the cheetah. The one thing that did grab my eye was the grass around it's feet. It looks like the HDR process made an odd contrast or sharpening appearance. I had the same thing happen when I tried HDR on wildlife, I blurred those details just a bit.

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    BEAUTIFUL image! Love the colors and composition. Fine work-

    Steve

  11. #11
    Alfred Forns
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    Big Time Congrats Morkel !!! ... any suggested changes is only a mater of personal taste, love it as presented !!!

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hey Mork, you couldnt have asked for a more clearly opportunity. Good walking pose, and the more I look at this, the more it gives that " painting effect". I like this lots. If I had to change anything, I would maybe darken the BG a tad. Well captured mate.

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Works for me but then you knew I'd like the little boost in color. Nice detail in the fur.

  14. #14
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    it's humbling to read this kind of response to an experimental shot. thanks a lot everyone!! :)

    @ Jared - I actually only ran sharpening on the cheetah as the HDR process did sharpen everything a tad. I created a duplicate layer, sharpened it and erased everything but the cheetah at high magnification. It looks good at full size but might have crept back in when resharpening after downsizing...
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  15. #15
    Judy Lynn Malloch
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    Stunning capture Morkel of this sleek beautiful creature. Beautiful action and detail !!! thanks for sharing.

  16. #16
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    appreciate you popping in Judy...
    Morkel Erasmus

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    I like what you've done here Morkel. It gives it a nice 3D effect and the IQ is very good too.

  18. #18
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thank you sir...
    Morkel Erasmus

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