Cheetah Cub after dinner (graphic)

[Morkel Erasmus]

This cub and its 3 siblings were feasting on a springbok kill with their mother in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa.

We spent about 2 hours with them finishing the kill right next to our vehicle. This is one of the shots I came away with - I tried to vary things up while documenting this sighting.

Would love your honest thoughts?

The red is obviously blood and the green stains are from the stomach contents of the springbok lamb. He was standing in the shade so I had to bump up the exposure bias.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 320mm
f6.3 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-800
Exposure bias +0.7

[Robert Amoruso]

Sharp were it needs to be. Well done getting the moment. I am wondering, do you have a tight image like this without the rump in the BG?

[Marc Mol]

Fine image, well documented Morkel. Have to agree with Robert re. without rump BG?
TFS

[Austin Thomas]

Great details Morkel and I like the fact that there is some colour in the eye.

Robert makes a good observation.

tfs

Austin

[Harshad Barve]

Excellent image Morkelbhai , love this ,
TFS

[Ed Cordes]

Super detail. I like it as presented.

[Hilary Hann]

Excellent image Morkel. I would go for no rump or more rump so that it isn't cut off down the lhs, but it isn't a big problem visually for me. May just make it stronger.

[Rachel Hollander]

Morkel - I like the intensity of the gaze. I don't mind the rump and think this is a strong image.

TFS,
Rachel

[Ofer Levy]

Definitly tells a story. I feel the original is a bit flat. Here is just a quick repost - working on the original will bring out the full potential of this image IMO.

[Ken Watkins]

I agree with Robert on the rump but it should not really detract from a fine image of a fine animal.

Ofer's repost really adds the missing oomph.

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Morkel, this is a nice strong cheetah portrait for me. The remnants of blood tell the story of a kill without the gory graphic details, and it is well exposed, and sharp. The rump is enough OOF for me that it doesn't detract at all. You have nice colour in the cheetahs eyes, which isn't always easy to get. If the cheetah's ears were perked up, it would have intensified the stare for me, however I like the image, and think it is a strong one. Personally I prefer cleaner kill images or suggestions of kills over body cavities and gore...I think I prefer this to the OP you did a while back from the same event
cheers
grant

[Steve Kaluski]

A very nice image Morkel with excellent content.

Personally after Ofer's repost, it's a bit of 50/50 between the two I think it. If possible would try to get more definition around the nose & eye.

TFS
Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for all the comments!

Ofer - what exactly did you do? Mind giving the details?
Steve - I agree with you that it's probably 50/50 between my OP and Ofer's RP

This is full frame with about 1% shaved off the top and RHS, and the cub only looked in that direction for a split second so I haven't got similar shots with more or less rump. I was in a a flat panic with 5 cheetahs all around the vehicle each doing something unique - was tricky to isolate one subject and stay with it :):eek:

[Steve Kaluski]

I was in a a flat panic with 5 cheetahs all around the vehicle each doing something unique

What a dilemma Morkel. The rump isn't an issue IMHO either.

Thanks for the additional info.

Steve

[Ofer Levy]

Hi Morkel, just the very basic - level, S/H, some boost in contrast and colour saturation, a bit of cooling filter etc.
Working on the TIF and selectively processing the subject and the BG is the way to go. My repost only meant to show you the direction as I did it in 30 seconds.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Steve - dilemma indeed!

Ofer - thanks, thought as much, just wanted you to elaborate for the sake of those reading :)

[DanWalters]

Like the little bit of red on the face. Really tells a story!

[Russell Johnson]

Great detail in the red and green 'stains'

I think the image could do with a boost, somewhere between the OP and the repost.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Very nice IQ...And I like the fur texture..Prefer the second lighter post

[Todd Frost]

Well done Morkel. Rump in bg not a problem for me either. Agree with somewhere between the two on the boost. Good sharpness and moment captured.
TFS
Todd

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for your thoughts, everybody...