Approaching

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 6, 2013194 views10 comments

I have had a long struggle which I am not sure I have won with this one, so would be interested in your views. My major problem was dull light and very very green grass, caused by the rains.
This Cheetah is one of a 3 Male coalition that lived in the Kwando concession in Botswana.
EOS 1D MkIV
500mm F4
F5.6
ISO 800
1/2000
hand-held from open vehicle

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on June 6, 2013 at 8:41 AM

Given the conditions Ken, I think you won. Love the direct eye contact. Cheetahs have such wonderful eyes. I notice there are some small black specks on the white tail tip. Maybe flies, but it would be better to clone them out as they look like dust specks.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on June 6, 2013 at 8:59 AM

Hello Ken

Really enjoy the Larger Image how you have captured the Eye/head area Very Clean. The Fur has a gentle texture making the Image Stand Out. I too have had issues with grasses being so saturated while I was in the Khutzeymateen. It is a dilemma not sure to adjust or allow the Natural saturated colours show through. I think your approach with the grasses is close to being right on.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 6, 2013 at 9:38 AM

The LP looks very nice Ken!
Only suggestion might be to brush the RT edge that's parallel to the cheetah, to blend it in..

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on June 6, 2013 at 11:50 AM

I like the frame n head on pose but IMHO the grass looks too flat.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 6, 2013 at 6:39 PM

I honestly don't think there is much of a "problem" here. The grass is a bit pale perhaps, but I find it an attractive setting as is. I actually see a lot of similarity between your cheetah photo and my recently posted Cross Fox, but maybe I'm flattering myself. This view must be what many prey species experience just before the final chase is on.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 7, 2013 at 2:23 AM

Thanks everybody for your comments and suggestions, which are very helpful

Jagdeep,
I agree that "flat" is the way to describe the grass.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Dawson on June 7, 2013 at 10:31 PM

Superb, great focus, the intensity of the stare comes right off the page

Registered on February 4, 2006, 364 Posts, 8872 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 7, 2013 at 11:22 PM

Mike,

Thanks very much

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 9, 2013 at 8:19 AM

Hi Ken,

It's a compelling pose and I like how you've placed the subject in the frame. Checked this one on a couple of monitors and to me the grass looks a tad on the pale and yellow side, but given I wasn't there I can't comment on how closely it approximates how it looked at time of capture. But regardless of that, the image still works just fine for me.

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 10, 2013 at 2:59 AM

Brad,

Thanks for your comment.

In the past I have had so many critiques ( at another place) complaining about my greens that I tend to try to tone them down now.
I really believe that many people do not really understand just how green Africa can be especially after the rains, it was actually drizzling when this shot was taken.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments