A Portrait of Warmth

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 28, 2012257 views10 comments

A recent cheetah sighting in the Kruger National Park. Just a simple shot, but I loved the light here. Cropped a little off the top for balance...

D700
200-400VRII
1/320s
f4.5
ISO 1000
@400mm
-0.7

Thanks for looking...

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on March 28, 2012 at 12:38 PM

Beautiful light and cat ! Serene and contemplative

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on March 28, 2012 at 2:51 PM

Hi James, initial impressions it just looks washed out in terms of both colour & depth. Increasing mid tones or using Curves certainly gives the image presence and nice rim light. The two branches in front of the chest are slightly distracting from what is a clean image.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 28, 2012 at 5:35 PM

James, I love the colors and the clean composition. I do see Steve's point about the "faded" look, though I can see how what you captured could be completely natural with the sun shining in your direction. I like the image as-is.

And kudos on getting a close cheetah in Kruger. Not the easiest thing...

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on March 28, 2012 at 10:09 PM

Beautiful light; lovely image!

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on March 29, 2012 at 12:34 AM

Very nice James! I like the fact that you managed to get very good detail on the shadow side of the cheetah and even a shine in the eye. I understands Steve's point and if this were mine I would probably have given the cat a selective but very minor boost in mid tone contrast. This is of course a matter of taste and the image is beautiful as posted. This cheetah (assuming it is the same from your previous post) sure gave you some great opportunities.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on March 29, 2012 at 9:48 PM

Nicely done James! I kind of like the washed out look because it accentuates the early morning (or late evening) glow. Well done capturing the details in the shadow side.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 30, 2012 at 12:34 AM

Sweet close-up portrait James

I really like the golden back light, rim light and still seeing all that excellent detail. Nice Work!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on April 1, 2012 at 3:38 PM

I love the light too. well done.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Todd Liotine on April 4, 2012 at 12:26 AM

The backlighting and the background really make this shot stand out. Great shot.

Registered on July 1, 2008, 131 Posts, 671 Comments

Comment posted by Gorazd Golob on April 13, 2012 at 5:38 PM

I like simple compo and great light. Good detail in shady area makes photo like toned in same color.

Regards, Gorazd

Registered on December 28, 2010, 23 Posts, 53 Comments