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Thread: Resting Cheetah

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    Default Resting Cheetah

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    One of four brothers which we found lying under a tree in the Mara Conservancy in January. I have processed this file using some suggested workflows for the 7D which Morkel kindly sent me. Interested in thoughts on the final processed image.

    7D; 100-400 @ 400; ISO400; f8; 1/200

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Hilary, this is certainly a much 'cleaner' image, compared to previous ones and with no 'sootyness' too.

    This just illustrates that the content, detail and clarity that has always been there within your images, but a slight change to your workflow and everything shines through. NO blown whites, and overall good colour.

    Has there been any work on the eyes?

    Now with this under your belt I think it would be worth revisiting some of your previous files, as this just proves you do not need the latest kit and conveys what a lot of us have said about your work. Well done Morkel.

    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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    Nice pose and lovely eyes here
    TFS

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    Thanks Harshad, and thanks Steve.

    Steve, no work on the eyes at all. Conscious of the comments recently regarding cheetah eyes being overworked, I decided to leave these alone and see what comments were made. I do think that processing through LR3 + CS5 is much cleaner than LR2 + CS3, and I am keen to try some of my earlier images and see how they compare.

    Frankly, I was complicating things too much and am grateful for Morkel's "keep it simple, stupid" philosophy, on which I can build.

    BTW, thank you Harshad for my 'thank you' which I'm just learning to come to terms with!!

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Steve, no work on the eyes at all. Conscious of the comments recently regarding cheetah eyes being overworked
    Thanks.

    You know I have always said from the start, simplicity is the way to go, more 'in camera', less PP and the images will look much better. Something I echoed in my talk last weekend.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Hilary I am so glad I could help you "get the most" out of your files. This has a clarity I have not seen from you!
    Not the most ideal setting, but I do think adding some selective saturation to the cheetah will help add some punch here. Looking forward to more!
    Morkel Erasmus

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    I must say this is some of the best PP I have seen from you..I would also like to see more sat on the cheetah and less NR on the BG. Nice one Hillary

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    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Good work Hillary. It has a nice, clean look to it.

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    Thanks everyone for your support, much appreciated. I've taken on board the comments, thanks.

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    BPN Viewer Pieter de Waal's Avatar
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    Hi Hillary, love the detail and sharpness, I agree with you on the eyes, for me they are just right. Was this a very pale Cheetah or is there more colour in the file ?

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    Of the 4 cheetah, 2 appeared quite pale and this colour is pretty much how they looked. Almost a sandy colour. I've double checked all the photos I took, both in sun and in shade and they are very washed out. I made a point of trying to keep it close to what I saw, but it would be easy to increase saturation I guess and I could try to match it one of the brothers who was a richer colour. Just shows what sort of variations we see across Africa.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hilary - This looks great, nice detail and sharpness. I like the variation in color that this depicts. Looks like the new work flow works.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Thanks for the information Hilary, I was just curious as to the pale colour as I have never seen one this colour before, you are right about the variations in nature. This is a lot more noticeable in bird species where some differ from region to region within Southern Africa.

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