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Thread: Cocked Head (Stalking Cheetah)

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Cocked Head (Stalking Cheetah)

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    This young male is part of a coalition of 2 males found around the Nossob Rest Camp area in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. We found them twice on one day, morning and afternoon. This image was taken in late afternoon light with the team stalking a potential prey on a dune behind our position. They were coming up the embankment towards our vehicle which provided for a great POV and BG of the dry riverbed behind him.

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II + 1.4xTC @ 700mm
    f9.0 @ 1/800 SS @ ISO-400
    I think I was on f8 and accidentally dialed it to f9 as I don't normally shoot on that setting
    Full frame top to bottom, shot in portrait orientation. Slight crop from sides - still about 97.65% of the original image.
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 01-27-2012 at 04:14 PM.
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  2. #2
    Roman Kurywczak
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    Very nice regal hunting pose Morkel! Low angle is very nice! I would be tempted to open up the face shadow side a few points more but not a deal breaker. BG is sweet too!

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    You've captured the cheetah's stalking pose very well here Morkel, with the subtle raised head turn it's spot on.
    Agree with Roman on opening up the shadow areas a tad.
    TFS


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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks guys. I already opened up the shadows quite a bit since the light was coming at quite an angle from about 40deg to my RHS. I will have a look but I want the lighting in the image to be natural ito how I remeber the scene/conditions.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Like this pose and the processing on it very much Morkel. The shaded side of the head doesn't bother me, it looks like it should be shaded but you have detail there for interest. There is a white spot on the outside tear mark on the cheetah's right eye (the shaded one) which doesn't look like it belongs. I like the fly hovering around the left eye.

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  9. #6
    Brendan Dozier
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    Very nice, Morkel, love the pose and vertical comp. Nicely done.

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  11. #7
    Ken Watkins
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    Morkel,

    Great pose so typical of Cheetah. No nits from me

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  13. #8
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, love the light, colours and tones. Like the detail in the face and just enough in the whites too, excellent.

    I will have a look but I want the lighting in the image to be natural
    Agree, personally I would leave as is.

    My only thought would have been, once you got this in the bag, to then shoot landscape to see if the placement of the subject could have been better? Although with the 500 & 1.4x not too sure how much you might have got in. It's just the central position for me???? But we have all been there and no doubt continue.

    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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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Morkel - like the warm tones of this a lot. The shadow does not bother me and the pov is great.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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  17. #10
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks a lot folks. Steve - unfortunately after striking this pose he swerved right and went behind my vehicle...so no time for landscape orientation.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Always the way Morkel. What is it they say, 'Never work with animals or children'.

    FYI Just working up the Cheetah, portrait version, but will wait for a suitable slot.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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  20. #12
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    Hi Morkel,
    I think the image is so typical of cheetah behaviour with the typical head being ever so slightly cocked, with it showing a definite interest. Well done, a beautiful image and thanks for sharing.
    Best wishes,
    Mark.

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  22. #13
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Nice light and colors Morkel. The pose gives it some nice interest.

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    Hi Morkel,
    I love the pose and the light.
    VPN

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  26. #15
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thank you for your comments Mark, Steve K, Steve C and VPN.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Always the way Morkel. What is it they say, 'Never work with animals or children'.

    FYI Just working up the Cheetah, portrait version, but will wait for a suitable slot.
    Yup these days we need to try and "spice" up the species-variety a bit
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Great image indeed
    TFS

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