Canon 7D, EF300L2.8is, handheld, from a vehicle. S/speed 1/500 at f2.8, iso 320. Location Tubu Tree camp, Okavango, Botswana, 30 Dec 2009, 06h52 in the early morning. Cropped from 18mp to 12mp. Processed in ACR, sharpened in PS. Sun had just risen to the rhs, thin mist in the air. I shot at f2.8 for the S/speed, as the vehicle had people moving in it. I know some of you will recommend higher iso settings, but me, 7D and hi iso dont go together:(. I really wanted to get this shot, as he changed position about a second later and went to sleep. I like the shot but need some honest feedback on it from you all out there...
All C and C welcome
thanks
Grant
I like the pose and the photo overall. I'm no expert here compared to the many members and contributors, but I would:
1) warm it up a bit - the tree branches seem too blue;
2) while the main part of the tree adds to the frame, the dead space in the middle takes away the benefit -- I would crop closer to the leopard;
3) I know people will complain about the branches to the right, but having been to five parks in Africa, I know how difficult it can be to get leopard shots in the wild.
Grant, nicely framed amongst the branches, especially the curved branch above his head. Good eye contact, and I like the soft light and the colours on the leopard look good.
loving the setting and look here Grant...agree with Andy the 2.8 aperture worked well in your favour here...
have you upgraded the 7D firmware yet? I get very pleasing results even at high ISO's - some noise but very manageable even when viewed at large resolution.
I noticed a greenish cast to the image and tried to correct it with "color balance", but you'll have to tell me if it's not true to what you saw with your eyes. I also added a bit of "pop" using Local Contrast Enhancement (USM @ 20%, 10px) and added some noise reduction to the BG to smooth it out a bit more. I also cropped slightly to frame the leopard between the branches and remove a distracting piece of green branch at the top left corner.
Morkel, I think your repost has gone too far as it looks over sharpened and the oof branch in the foreground appears accentuated. I don't think the colour is right either but do think the original is a little cool so perhaps warming it slightly. I wouldn't crop the large tree trunk at the left as I think it balances the leopard and the cobweb is an added environmental component which completes the picture.
Overall I really like this as shot Grant, you've caught the moment very well IMO and the depth of field works for this. I would keep experimenting with the 7D at high ISO, that is what I'm doing because I've been told that it can handle it so I'm assuming that it is my exposure which is not up to scratch.
Hi Everyone, thanks for all your feedback. I now see my OP is a little too blue so I will warm it a bit. Rachel, you are right about the OOF branch, but I cant do anything unless I chop his tail off with a crop.
Morkel, thanks for your repost. I was going to drive a bit closer so I could shoot around that OOF branch, that would have really been the shot but unfortunately he fell asleep, then turned to face the rising sun behind, and slept some more. About the 7D, my firmware is the latest one, I have upgraded it, although I dont think that has anything to do with IQ. Also, I am using CS4 for noise reduction and it doesnt seem to do much to 7D noise at high isos (500 upwards) for me. Getting CS5 next week, so that may help. I also know people keep saying expose to the right, however that costs you shutter speed, not always an option with moving subjects or moving vehicles.
Thanks for the comments and the feedback..
cheers
Grant
I am still using CS3 so still have to go for CS4/5...have you tried the Noiseware Professional plugin yet?
My 7D is permanently on 1 or 2 thirds overexposure bias.
Hi Morkel, that is a good plan to leave your camera overexposing, however when s/speed is crucial then you have to make a choice. Also many of the creatures I most like taking pics of tend to get active around dusk or dawn, usually low light. I have read that CS5 has new NR procedures, updated for the hi-res sensors. I havent used any NR plug-ins, I will find out more from you after i install CS5 and see how it goes.
thanks for your help
cheers
grant
Leopard in a Leadwood Tree
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