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Thread: Cheetah in the long grass

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Cheetah in the long grass

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    Another image from our sighting of 3 cheetahs failing in stalking a springbuck in the Kalahari.

    This was right next to our vehicle. I extended canvas at the bottom (was quite tricky).

    Techs:
    Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 220mm
    f5.6 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-500
    Exp +0.3
    Morkel Erasmus

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  2. #2
    Ken Watkins
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    Morkel,

    You certainly got some great Cheetah shots, I am extremely envious.
    If you had not told us about the extension I would not have looked, there are a few duplicated patterns appearing in the grass. This is why it is easier to extend canvas when you have a background with little detail.
    I really think it would be better with a smaller extension, after all you have the vast majority of the legs visible.

  3. #3
    Judy Lynn Malloch
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    Beautiful series on the Cheetah Morkel and I agree with Ken about the extension. Love the colors of this image, fine work.

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    Great shot

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    Lovely shot Morkel. tack sharp and good details. Extra canvas been mentioned. Nicely done.

  6. #6
    Danny J Brown
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    Another stark, beautiful cheetah shot, Morkel. The critter looks a little worn out.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    I like the angle and placement of the cheetah in the comp. Good colourful and sharp detail captured, and would maybe take a tad off the top. Great sighting, and well captured mate.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I think the Cheetah needs more room to 'walk' into (l/h side). For me the detail and clarity isn't quite there. With the 40D 400 ISO is the best, beyond that with the 100-400 I think you might have trouble. The lens is renowned for its softness beyond 370mm. Enjoy the moment :-)
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  9. #9
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks for the kind comments everyone!!

    Steve - this was @ 220mm focal length...but I hear what you're saying about the ISO on the 40D. We were expecting them to hunt soon and I was on auto ISO to make sure I had the shutter speed.
    Morkel Erasmus

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  10. #10
    DanWalters
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    Great color and I also like thw the cheetah blends into the environment.

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Nice detail in the fur. Color looks good too. Also like the color tone of the entire image. The near eye looks a little flat though I think I can see a hint of catchlight. Maybe a little enhancement can give it a little more life?

  12. #12
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks Dan & Steve

    Steve - will play with that...
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel

    Apologies for not replying sooner, I needed more time to look at the shot & review my comments from earlier, plus I will check with a Canon Tech bod, as I could be wrong about the 40D. However, the 20D is renowned for more noise beyond ISO 400. I am hoping that the 40D is a bit like the MKIII in that respect and that it is worth going from 400 to 800 with very little increase in noise, but will check and will have a higher shutter speed too.

    The image, I just wonder if it's just too 'contrasty'? Do you use canon DPP, if not try it as I think you will find more detail, colours etc overall retained in it and have a better end result too once transfered to PS. I might have either -0.3 or 0 the comp, to retain a bit more so I am not sure why you +0.3 as you had light on the subject and enough shutter speed. As you know, rule of thumb, shoot at 400mm shutter should be 1/400+.

    Saying all that, I am very envious of your location.

    All the best and look forward to more :-)

    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  14. #14
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks Steve - will review the contrast...
    :)

    I normally use ACR since DPP doesn't have as many tweaks on the raw files.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Loved the setting here Bhai.. nice shades of brown here and compo.. congrats..

  16. #16
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks Bhai...
    Morkel Erasmus

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