Leopard closeup

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 25, 201072 views5 comments

this was a challenge both on the field and with the post processing. Those backlights were awful but how could I have missed to shoot to such a fantastic creature? I think that i only partially succeed in reworking it.
Your comments and precious suggestions are very welcome.

Techs:

Nikon D2Xs
Metering: matrix
aperture: f/8
iso: 200
shutter speed: 1/90
Exposure compensation: +0,33
Lens: Nikkor 300 f/4 + Nikon TC 1.7
Hand held
PP in CS3
reworked with TC method
60% from original

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Imprevento on September 25, 2010 at 5:13 PM

Luca, I have no where near the talent or abilities of most of the pros that post here...A lot of the technical posts that go up I just don't understand yet. But the biggest joy of photography for me is just getting the shot. And you GOT the shot!!! I don't think the image can be improved, its amazing the way it is. To see this magnificent creature in nature must have been incredible. Amazing job.

Registered on September 11, 2010, 29 Posts, 78 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on September 25, 2010 at 7:59 PM

Nice POV even in not so ideal lighting.The LLC branch is lil distracting.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on September 25, 2010 at 9:15 PM

As you noted, a challenging image. I think you did pretty well and like it as posted. There's nice detail in the facial fur. Another possible option for PP maybe to work the eyes a bit so they stand out from the darker face although it then may look a little unnatural compared to what you saw.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on September 26, 2010 at 10:29 AM

Hi Luca,

Very tough shooting conditions but - as Jerry has pointed out - you had the great experience and captured the shot. I actually find the branch that Butch pointed out (in the LLC) to be more of a problem than the issue of the shaded face, meaning you did quite a good job with the post-processing and made the most of the opportunity. While the D2Xs is a fine camera, it is tough to pull a lot of shadow detail out of the files it produces (without introducing noise) compared to some of the newer offerings from Nikon...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on September 27, 2010 at 1:34 AM

I will take any leopard image anyday, Luca. I probably would have used an exp comp of +1, which would mean increasing the ISO as well. This would inevitably have blown out the bright sky, but for me, the leopard is more important than a burnt out sky.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments