CheetahScape

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 22, 2012220 views12 comments

I truly must be boring you with all the cheetah images from my recent Kalahari trip. There are just so many that I am excited about and want to share

I am off to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park AGAIN on Sunday, this time for an extended 2-week safari, my first time during the proper rainy season.

I don't think this'll be everyone's cuppa. Also - it needs to be viewed at higher resolution to "get it" IMHO. Anyway - your thoughts, as always, are most welcome!

I found 2 male cheetahs north of Nossob in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park one morning at very first light (about halfway to Cubitje). This is one frame from that sighting.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II + 1.4xTC @ 700mm
f5.6 @ 1/640 SS @ ISO-1600
full frame image

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on February 22, 2012 at 3:37 PM

Beautiful shot! I certainly "get it"! Wow, simply spectacular! Love the composition, DOF, light... If I was forced to find a nit (and its not much of one) I'm not a huge fan of the OOF green bush that protrudes on the middle of the right side. Haha but thats me really trying to find a problem where there isn't one, great shot, can't wait to see more!

-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on February 22, 2012 at 9:53 PM

Just a very beautiful overall image, Morkel! How I wish you had posted a larger photo, too, to enjoy this even more!

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

Comment posted by Joe James on February 22, 2012 at 10:46 PM

I certainly get it as well, this is a wonderful shot. I love the composition and wonderful background here! Well done.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 22, 2012 at 11:59 PM

Nice work. I like it as posted, especially for the quality of that low level light.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Cristina Strudthof on February 23, 2012 at 12:00 AM

I really love this shot and can certainly understand you wanting to share it. Light is good and the OOF background really accents the cheetah in the foreground.

Registered on January 14, 2011, 53 Posts, 363 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on February 23, 2012 at 6:44 AM

Lovely image Morkel, the awesome light is complimented beautifully by the shadows while the background tree also adds excellent balance... Wishing you more good opportunities on your next trip

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on February 23, 2012 at 2:59 PM

Thanks for the kind comments everyone! See you when I get back...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on February 23, 2012 at 3:21 PM

So where is that higher resolution version?

I like this, but the cheetah looks oversharpened.

Enjoy your trip!

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 24, 2012 at 1:56 AM

I really like this one too, especially the spot light effect on the cheetah, which enhances the entire scene. Beautiful image Morkel

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 24, 2012 at 8:37 AM

Hey Morkel,

Overall I really like this - nicely layered and the positioning of the subject in the frame works well for me. Love the DoF and sweet light. Well done.

I'm thinking a very slight selective reduction in exposure on the bright side of the subject would make this work even better - just a tad too hot there (in my opinion) - but only about 1/3 of a stop. One other little thing...I really wish that tree in the background wasn't slightly clipped by the frame edge and that there was a small gap between the end of the boughs and the edge of the frame.

Hope your trip is enjoyable and productive...

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Basil Greber on February 25, 2012 at 5:39 PM

I don't seem to have much trouble getting it, even at this size. I really like it.

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 14, 2012 at 7:46 AM

Thanks guys
You make good points as usual, Brad!

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments