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Thread: Male Leopard

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    Default Male Leopard

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    A happy new year to all. This leopard was taken earlier this year in the Sabi Sands Reserve.
    Nikon D3s 70-200 VRII. Fill flash was used. SS1/1600 at F7.1....ISO 1250.
    Last edited by Vivaldo Damilano; 01-22-2012 at 02:22 PM.

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    Hi Vivaldo,
    What an amazing image. The simplicity is what makes it so exceptional. Great detail, wonderful background, great POV and excellent composition. Thanks for sharing. I cannot wait to get back into the bush, having seen this image.
    Best wishes,
    Mark.

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    Nice and simple, good use of fill flash...I see you were in my neck of the woods. All the best for the new year Vivaldo!

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    Thanks very much Mark. We are planning a three week trip in March, cannot wait.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Vivaldo - I agree the simplicity of this image is what makes it a strong one. The tongue out adds to it. Great clean view and bg. Happy new year to you too.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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  10. #6
    Brendan Dozier
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    Real nice, Vivaldo, love the POV, pose, and tongue is nice touch. Well done!

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  12. #7
    Ken Watkins
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    Vivaldo,
    Great pose in great tree, but I am not sure about the use of fill flash here, on my monotor the colour seems vaguely "artificia"l

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    what a good pose , nice clean BG and perch is great
    TFS

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    Very nicely composed and lit image. I do like the tongue sticking out.

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    Great-looking leopard in a super setting here Vivaldo. All the best for 2012 for you too...

    Before I comment on the colours/flash I need to ask: Was the flash mounted on the camera or slightly off-camera?
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Ken looking at the image again, would agree with you, the leopard looks a bit overdone. Morkel I mounted the flash on the camera as my flash. Thanks for comments it's appreciated.

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Love the pose here Viv, might suit taking down the exp on the Leopard half a stop or so, was this at sunset?
    TFS


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    Magical Leopard shot Vivaldo, nice composition and subtle lighting. All the best for 2012.

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    Hi Vivaldo
    I like the composition here a whole lot, a really excellent leopard shot. Agree with others that maybe a little fine-tuning on the colour of the cat will really finish it off perfectly.
    Thanks for sharing
    Grant

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    I have tried darkening leopard and also desaturated leopard slightly. Thanks everyone for feedback. Mark this was taken at about 6.30 am in the morning. It was overcast that morning so decided to use fill flash.

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    Ken Watkins
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    Vivaldo,

    The repost looks to me at least very much better

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Watkins View Post
    Vivaldo,

    The repost looks to me at least very much better
    To me too!

    I invested in an off-camera flash bracket for a telephoto lens, and the little chance I've had to use it makes it seem worthwhile (and I've seen others getting good natural results with it).
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    Thanks Morkel, I have a off flash bracket but unfortunately found it broken. Somehow it was missing a part and I couldn't fit the bracket to the lens I will have to get another bracket for my next trip.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hey, great to have you back Vivaldo, nice opening post.

    My only question as most items have already been covered is, have you done any work on the curve of the tree trunk that runs down towards the front right paw as viewed. The reason I ask is that the clarity & sharpness runs along the entire outline of the tree trunk, but looks a little soft on that curve? might also lose a tad off the RHS?

    TFS
    Steve
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    Hi Steve, you have a very good eye I did do some cloning in that area, removed some leaves and twiggs, which to me were very distracting.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    you have a very good eye
    Probably because I have been doing tutorials recently. Can you post the original, but always good to mention it in the intro if you have done any form of 'gardening'. Something like this is very easy to do.

    cheers
    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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    Steve here is the original as requested.

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    Vivaldo this is the best, inclusion of the vegetation really works and sets the scene to a cracking image and gives it context and reality. The OP for me looked too clinical, especially after seeing some PP work. Thanks for doing this, but wished it had been the OP.

    Congratulations on a very nice image.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  36. #24
    Ken Watkins
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    Vivaldo,

    In all honesty, I would have left all of the foliage in place

    It would look far more natural, as it is very rare to get an open stump, a slight amount of blur on the foliage might lessen the impact, but it is not really needed.

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    Thanks Steve and Ken I will save a lot more time I will repost this image with all the foliage for comments.

  38. #26
    Ken Watkins
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    Vivaldo,

    I look forward to seeing it

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