Savuti Hyaena Trio

[Grant Atkinson]

Canon 1Dmk4, Canon 300 f2.8IS, handheld. S/Speed 1/200s at f2.8, iso 1600. Did some selective contrast, sharpening, clarity to hyaenas only. Processed using ACR6 and PS5. Location Savuti Bush camp, Botswana. Taken before sunrise a couple of months back, and not a lot of light to work with. Three cubs of approximately 9 months old, huddling together for warmth in the very early morning. I am aware of the blade of grass on the nose of the right hand hyaena and can take it out if need be. For now I just left it as shot. All C and C welcome
cheers
Grant

[Steve Kaluski]

It certainly has eye contact Grant, nice angle too, was that from any 'additional' reading recently?.

As you know I can really say too much (for a change, LOL as I'm away), works for me, the grass 50/50 on. Was hoping for some large cats.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Grant - love the eye contact and the huddled together look. In this case I wish for a little more DOF so that all 3 were in focus but am guessing that due to the early hour and your techs ss and sharpness might have been an issue if you stopped down. The blade of grass doesn't bother me, sort of adds to the cuteness factor.

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Canuel]

Nice tight grouping and good eye contact with the three. The curve of the one on the left is a nice contrast with the stacking of the other two.

[Grant Atkinson]

Thanks Steve, took this before the reading ! These guys were on a mound that formed part of their natal den, and that helped my POV a lot. Rachel, your comment noted, I would have loved to have shot at f/5.6 or even a smaller aperture but was concerned about sharpness. I was also handholding...so will take the dof attained with f2.8. Steve C, thanks too for pointing out the way they are arranged, most useful of the cubs!
thanks again for looking and commenting
cheers
Grant

[Ofer Levy]

Super cute image! Having the oof cub in focus could have been even better but this is a winner as is IMHO.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Nice image Grant! The eye level perspective enhances. I am sure a better depth of field would have been good, however, you were already at ISO 1600 at f2.8. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Grant Atkinson]

Thanks very much for your comment Ofer and Sabyashachi...I try hard to get hyaena images that people will like, as so often they are considered uninteresting by casual observers..

[Robert Amoruso]

Grant,

Works great all around. As far as the OOF rear one, that is AOK with me. It is sharp enough the convey and enhance the feel of seeing these critters up close and personal. Focus is exactly were it should be and having two FG critters in sharp focus puts this over the top IMO. Well done.

[Grant Atkinson]

Thanks Robert, your input is much appreciated as always!

[RakeshDhareshwar]

The eye contact and the alert poses make this image wonderful . If the third one was seen more clearly , it would have been over the top !!

[Ishmeet Sahni]

The eye contact is great. I actually like the effect created with the third one being a little OOF, it adds depth to the image.
I agree with Steve with regards to the arched back of the cub on the left, it just adds to the overall compositional beauty.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Grant, I like this a lot! Super cute and the angle is top-drawer!
I do feel it is just a tad too 'green' and could do with a slight warming up or colour balance adjustment towards magenta/red/yellow.