Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: The Leopard Rocks

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default The Leopard Rocks

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This mature leopard cub was patrolling the area with her mother. She sat down momentarily on a large rock and I got my shot. Taken in the Sabi-Sands Reserve...

    Would love to know what you think. Cropped from top and bottom to get rid of green foliage.

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s with Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR2 @ 200mm
    f4.0 @ 1/1250 SS @ ISO-500
    Exp +0.3
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  2. #2
    Todd Frost
    Guest

    Default

    Nice image of a beautiful cat Morkel. Nice that you kept enough environment for the entire tail. Exposure and detail look good. Amazing how well she blends with surroundings. TFS
    Todd

  3. #3
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey Morkel you certainly get around :)

    I think I know/understand what you are trying to do, but I am not sure if you have hit it, or not? I would be tempted to lose some off the bottom & add to the top. For me, the Leopard is well camouflaged against the rock and there is where i have an issue. The tones, colours etc blend so well, that the actual, the subject almost becomes lost.

    Morkel, I always try to honest in my 'observations/comments and please do NOT think I am having a pop, others I am sure, will totally disagree, but that is the whole point in posting, to get a variety of thoughts, comments & suggestions.:)

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

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Madrid, Spain
    Posts
    362
    Threads
    82
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Well, to me the point IS that the leopard almost disappears against the rock... makes you look twice. As Steve says, a personal and subjective view. I also like the comp within the crop.

  5. #5
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Merseyside, UK
    Posts
    857
    Threads
    132
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Morkel,

    I think you have captured a great moment and your image shows an environment where the Leopard is comfortable.

    Compositionally, I would lose a lot off the LHS. The left third of the image doesn't add anything extra to the image IMHO, so I would remove most of it and focus on the subject.

    tfs

    Austin

  6. #6
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the leopard, Morkel, as well as the sharpness, light, and exposure. On the other hand, when my eye reaches the back half of the leopard, it latches onto those large branches and gets dragged out of the frame in two directions. If not for that, I'd give the image high marks. (Maybe I'm in the minority - yet again :) )

  7. #7
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Corning, NY
    Posts
    2,507
    Threads
    208
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Interesting look by the cat. I like how you kept the tail in the frame. Iagree about a crop from the bottom.

  8. #8
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    I agree with Austin about the crop from LHS.
    The blending with the background does not bother me but the log does.
    Given that you do not like to clone, I have no ideas other then a head and shoulders crop.

  9. #9
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Any leopard sighting is a bonus, and think you have done well here. She may not be lying in a tree, but you have exposed her well, and her colours look good. I feel if you darken the BG a tad more, she will pop a little more.

  10. #10
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    thanks for the comments everyone - it's nice to get some varied opinions. I actually wanted to show how they blend in even when out in the open. I will consider cropping some and maybe do a repost. Darkening the BG is not as easy as it sounds :)
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  11. #11
    Callie de Wet
    Guest

    Default

    Mork
    She is a beaut. I am another one for loosing some space on the left, actually, a lot of space, and also some below. I know you were on a high vehicle, bat a tad lower POV would have popped her more Seeing her on the rock is actually nice, I love what you have seen and what you present, because I think I know this batch of rocks and the colour is spot on.

  12. #12
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    thanks Callie I will attempt a crop and repost...
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics