Cheetah in Kgalagadi

[Pieter de Waal]

This female taken in typical Kgalagadi scrub. Two cubs were feeding on a Springbok behind the scrub so I was unable to get any clear shots of them on the kill, but still a privilege to be there and enjoy the experience.

50D/EF500f4 1/500@f8 iso400 - Almost FF

C&C allways welcome.

[Morkel Erasmus]

always good seeing the Kgalagadi cheetahs Pieter
it looks like the light was challenging here and I am not quite sold on the diagonal position of the female's body...to me there is nothing really indicating a horizon or tilted ground other than her body, so I would have preferred it straight...

that being said the framing is VERY tight at the tail so my initial assumption is that this is full frame on either side, making a rotation and crop tricky.

[Rachel Hollander]

Looks like it was tough to find a spot to get a shot. Morkel made some good points about the comp. Color looks good, I just wish the rich color of the cheetah's eyes came through a little more.

TFS,
Rachel

[Pieter de Waal]

Thank you for your comments and feedback Morkel and Rachel.

Rachel I tried bringing out more colour in the eyes but it created quite a demonic look.

Morkel had a small amount of canvas to play with and leveled using a line through the eyes of the Cheetah. I think it has improved the image. I had to add some canvas in the corners after straightening.

[Hilary Hann]

Pieter, I can relate totally to the 'demonic' look cheetah's eyes sometimes get! I think you have done an excellent job on the repost. I love all the vegetation and the way she is peering out. Well done.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Pieter, I certainly prefer the repost, as it seems more 'gentle' for a better word. I found that comparing the two, the first seemed rather contrasty and hard, where as the repost is softer/gentler in all respects. Certainly having more space around the subject has given it room to breathe as it sits better within the frame. I think you could still refine the crop, but this would be a personal POV. You have done well with both light & vegetation, but certainly putting the time in on the repost has paid off IMHO.

Might be tempted to remove the green 'blob' top LH corner.

TFS
Steve

[Dumay de Boulle]

Repost looks much better...Like the textures and colors.

[Robert Amoruso]

I agree, I like the repost much better. I would suggest a selection on the eyes and lightening them in post processing. A bit of extra sharpening of the eyes too can enhance an image like this.

[Pieter de Waal]

Thank you all for your comments and feedback much appreciated.

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Pieter, good work on the repost here, it comes across much better for me. I think you did well given the hard light and touch conditions you faced here..
TFS
Grant

[Pieter de Waal]

Thanks for your comments Grant.