Leopard

[Stephen Earle]

Sabi Sand, South Africa

1DMKIV
1/100
ISO 1600
F4
500 F4 IS

[Andre van As]

Sabi Sand, South Africa

1DMKIV
1/100
ISO 1600
F4
500 F4 IS

Hi Stephen
An exquisitely composed and executed profile portrait. I love the colours and saturation as well as the detail. I was never able to get this close for long enough to get a shot. Congratulations.

Andre van As

[Ken Watkins]

Stephen,

Very nice indeed, I am sure some will not like the OOF leaves, but I do not find them too"distracting"

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Stephen, there is nice separation between subject & BG, but would agree with Ken, the OOF leaves are rather distracting, perhaps a tighter crop maybe a better option? I really like the depth of colour, detail & lighting though, giving a nice warm feel to the image. Might also suggest trying some Highlight/Shadow to see if you can get some more detail around the darker part of the mouth.

TFS
Steve

[Marc Mol]

One of the best side profile Leopard portraits I've seen on BPN Stephen,
Love the detail exhibiting the glorious whisker & eyelash pattern with very nice BG, I'm with Ken as well, don't mind too much the green OOF leaves.
TFS

[Steve Canuel]

Very nice detail and light. While it would be great if the leaves weren't there, the uniformity of their out-of-focusness and position on the leopard's body works okay for me.

[Charles Glatzer]

Beautiful light, detail, and sharpness in this one.
As for the leaves...if the viewer has to think about whether or not they like them in the image I think they draw attention away from the intended subject

Nonetheless a superb image to be sure.

Best,

Chas

[Ken Watkins]

but would agree with Ken, the OOF leaves are rather distracting,

Normally I would have corrected Steve's total misunderstanding of my comment by PM but that facility has been withdrawn from my "services" without any explanation.

This is not of course what I said at all. but reading and understanding is apparently "difficult" when it comes to my comments.

Marc got it correct as always.

[Stephen Earle]

Thanks everyone. Interesting discussion about the leaves. At first I didn't mind them but I the more I look at it, the more I get Charles's comment.

[Steve Kaluski]

Ken

but I do not find them too"distracting"

Steve

rather distracting

Sorry to have misquoted you Ken.

[Jay Gould]

I think the leaves definitely draw the eye away from the magnificent head. I would crop just inside the leaves and have a magnificent enlarged head.

Stephen, image either way!!

[Andre van As]

I think the leaves definitely draw the eye away from the magnificent head. I would crop just inside the leaves and have a magnificent enlarged head.

Stephen, image either way!!

Stephen
This magnificent head needs a base to be connected to. Perhaps removing a few of the more forward leaves will reduce the distraction. The presence of the leaves gives me the feeling of the animal emerging from his habitat as this is not a static pose.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Stephen, good IQ here. I like the sharp detail and colours, and separated nicely from the BG. I dont find the OOF leaves in the FG distracting at all.

[Rachel Hollander]

Great detail and sharpness. The grey bg is very pleasing. I'd prefer it without the oof leaves but understand that it is nature and we often can't avoid things like this. I would at least clone out the one at the bottom in the grey area.

TFS,
Rachel

[Andrew Aveley]

great image stephen !:eek:

[Morkel Erasmus]

late to the party here Stephen...

love the crisp clarity here, and the unique POV brings the viewer right to where the leopard seems to be stalking...I don't mind the leaves :)

[Harshad Barve]

Leaves adding for me Excellent techs, sharp, well exposed.
Mighty fine image and big congrats
TFS

[Grady Weed]

Late to the party! I like the sharp wiskers, eye colors and side view.