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Thread: Leopard in Last Light

  1. #1
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    Default Leopard in Last Light

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    Canon 5Dmk2, Canon 70-200mmf2.8is. S/Speed 1/320, f6.3, iso500. F/length 200mm. Eval meter. Handheld. Location Mombo, Botswana. July 2010, 17h54. Processed in ACR, sharpened in CS5.
    This is the leopard known as Legadima. We spent close to 7 hours waiting whilst this cat slept in the shade and on the ground. Minutes before the sun went down she climbed this dead tree, facing away from us. With just seconds of sunlight to go, she turned around for a few moments before coming down the trunk towards us. All C and C welcome
    cheers
    Grant

    www.grantatkinson.com

  2. #2
    Robert Amoruso
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    Grant,

    I suggest cropping this one down to just above the top of the tree. That will strengthen the leopard's presence in the image. Her regal pose helps the steep upwards view - makes her look above it all.

  3. #3
    Ken Watkins
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    IQ permitting , I agree with Robert on the crop suggestion, I think the legs and tail do not add much to the image the main focus should be on the eyes which have a great aloof look, and why not:D

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    I also agree on the suggestion to remove some from the top.

    I like the light and the colour of eyes.

    tfs

    Austin

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Grant, Legadima - 'Eye of the Leopard' if my memory serves me right?

    I love the 'regal' pose, it really sets the image off very well and gives the Leopard the true attention it deserves. Regarding the crop, well it's all personal preference for me, but a little off the top wouldn't hurt. Just wonder if you drop the Red & yellow in Saturation to say -20 (perhaps less) might give a better colour rendition as Canon does tend to run a tad warm, again just a thought.

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

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    Thanks Robert, Ken and Steve for your comments. Regarding a tighter crop, my OP was 14mp, so there are enough pixels to crop further. However, I had time enough to get the leopard at a variety of focal lengths, and I made use of my second body and lens combo as well. Not sure if it is within rules of forum but my repost here is taken with 1Dmk3, 300mmf2.8, just posting to compare framing options rather than a cropped version of OP. Any C and C welcome.
    Steve, I will try your reduced reds on my original raw capture, I must admit I switched to CS5 and lost my old set of web actions, and am struggling with how much time I can spend resizing for bpn web posts, adding copyright and real work. PS goes really fast when you are good at it, but I am not there yet with automating web shots :). The original images are looking much punchier until I post them on BPN, this happened with my leopard leaping shot a few days back too. cheers Grant

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    Hi Steve, it is indeed the leopard from the movie Eye Of The Leopard. She is doing a brilliant job of surviving amongst the highest lion density in Botswana and has raised cubs of her own already.
    cheers
    grant

  8. #8
    Ken Watkins
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    Grant,

    Repost is much better, but looks like it needs a little sharpening, I get this problem sometimes when converting to JPEG. Try previewing and if you are not happy with sharpness try opening JPEG in PS and sharpen more and reconvert using save for web and upload sharpened image.
    No guarantees as to whether this will work:)

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Grant, for me there is definite 'RED' warmth to the image. I personally prefer the 1st as the image has more 'presence', the 2nd is more 'predictable'. ;) Check out my save for web in the Wildlife section.

    I have sent you an email as the system is not playing ball in posting!

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

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Grant - I think I agree with Steve and like the first image better. It is a more unusual look, the second post almost looks posed. I also agree on taking some from the top in the first post. Beautiful leopard and your images continue to "wow" me.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Grant, I have to say that I like the first image better but would agree to take a little off the top. I like the unusual angle and the way you've composed her in the frame with the tree stump. She is one beautiful leopard.

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    Grant , I would love to call you as Grand Atkinson

    I am loving OP as posted , Both images are excellent but I am 100 % sure OP will look Grand if printed in Big size
    TFS

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    Thanks for the positive feedback everyone, I like taking leopard pictures and am lucky to get as many opportunities as I do. At least now I know that most folk prefer the comp of the OP, and I shall make use of the feedback. I will spend some time checking out what is happening with my CS5 Save for Web workflow and get it on track this weekend. Thanks again for looking, and commenting
    Cheers
    Grant
    www.grantatkinson.com

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    Both very nice images. I like the first one best, the second just appears too warm to me. Didn't Legadima lost her last litter of cubs which was this year?

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    Thanks Egil, the light was so warm when I took these shots that I have struggled somewhat to get the colour looking 'more normal' if that makes sense. Seems most everyone likes the first image better so I shall learn from that. Yes, Legadima lost both cubs from her last litter, think one went missing in late June, and the second went missing in July. There was a new male in the area, and she has been seen mating with him.
    cheers
    Grant

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