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Thread: Looking at the menu

  1. #1
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    Default Looking at the menu

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    This was the culmination of a great day in Mashatu, Botswana. Found this leopard up a tree asleep. Our ranger said we should hang around for half an hour or so and he should go off hunting. He was right. He woke up and started to suvey all around - including us. It is a bit disconcerting being just 10 meters from a leopard and him staring directly at you and you in an open topped Land Cruiser.

    Let me know what you think

    Thanks

    Michael

    Canon 40D, EF300+1.4TC, 1/100 @ f5.6, ISO 200, EX580 at -1 1/3EV, AP, Pattern Metering

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Michael, I like the pose and there is good detail contained, but I find the flash just a tad too strong and might have dropped it to -2 or more perhaps, as the eyes really ping out. The 'white' sky BG isn't ideal, but sadly there is nothing you could have done. 10m away and closer, you are still fine :)

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

  3. #3
    nothsafoto
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    That's what you call eye contact. Great shot and experience.

  4. #4
    Ken Watkins
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    I am not a great fan of the use of flash for images of wildlife. I know you would have had dificulties getting the right exposure given the extremely light background, but this just looks a little overblown to me.
    10 metres away is very far:D

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    The image looks sharp. The details in the face is nice. I agree that the flash is a bit more for my taste.

    Steve: How about holding a green shirt over its head to get a uniform background? :D

    I am sure, if the rangers don't prevent, then someone may try that stunt as well. :D

    It is often tough to photograph leopards on top of a branch due to the dense foliage and our need for clean backgrounds. The steep angle most of the time plays havoc as the sky is invariably included. May be moving back and trying some environmental portaits rather than tight shots will help at times.

    Having said that, watching a leopard is always a pleasing experience.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers,
    Sabyasachi

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Steve: How about holding a green shirt over its head to get a uniform background?
    I think that one is on par with the suggestion of having a grey card beside the animal to get the WB right, what worries me is that someone might think the suggestions are right!!!
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
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    Agree with others. Think I'd try cloning out the eye hot spots and and warming overall. The BG is more problematical, maybe adding mottled dark brown/orange as if dusk?
    BTW, I hope to get to Mashatu some day. Been to the "mother" camp MalaMala a few times.
    Tom

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    way cool pose by Leopard here
    TFS

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Hi Mike

    What a lovely leopard! I haven't been, but I hear Mashatu has got some beauts, also seen a few other pics, most notably one by another BPN member Isak Pretorius albeit on another site.

    I couldn't help but take a crack at your shot...

    Here's what I did:
    1. selected highlights by pressing CTL+ALT+TILDE(~), then copied onto new layer and blended it back on "multiply" setting at about 60% opacity
    2. selected the leopard alone and ran shadows/highlights at 5% shadows, 20% highlights and 12% midtone contrast
    3. USM 20% 10px for local contrast enhancement.

    I also think you may want to rework from RAW and cancel the cyan aberration that is around the leopard?

    What do you think?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
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    I like it a lot ME.
    One other thing I'd try is selecting the OOF blue stuff and change it to dark green, as if leafy.
    FWIW, think image would work better as a print because on a "projected light source" monitor a white BG tends to wash out the image. (In my brain)
    Tom

  11. #11
    Ákos Lumnitzer
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    What an awesome shot mate. Love the tight framing indeed. I think Morkel's repost has lifted the image to new heights. You guys are lucky they let you get close there. If this were Australia, the caring, and dumb-a ss government would keep everybody out of all reserves to keep people safe. LOL!!!

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    Thanks for all the comments. I agree with the reposting - it is definitely an inprovement. Mashatu is one awesome place - mammals were fabulous but the birds were exquisite. Without even trying I photgraphed 100+ species. I wish Ireland was as good but the far off hills (or wildlife habitats) are always greener and Mashatu is not a great place for sea birds;)

    Thanks again to all

    Michael

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    glad you like the repost Mike...show us some more of your shots!
    Morkel Erasmus

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