Walkabout

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 26, 2015135 views7 comments

It's been a very long time since posting Brad, but thought I should do so.

This is a lovely young male leopard we had the please to shadow for most of the morning with hardly any contact from other vehicles. The green foliage above the head is not ideal and yes I could remove it very easily, but I feel it stays. great to see how they blend in so well into the tall grass.

Cheers
Steve

Subject: Young male Leopard (Panthera pardus) on a walkabout patrol
Location: SA
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 200-400f/4 with ext
Exposure: 1/800s at f/5.6 ISO1600
Original format: Landscape, very slight crop.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 26, 2015 at 10:30 AM

Nice capture of this regal looking leopard. I like the background and the vegetation above the head does not bother me. I think a little more room on the right and bottom would give this image a bit more room to breathe (if you have it). The image also looks a little flat. Perhaps a bit more contrast would help. Great image regardless. Well done.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on January 26, 2015 at 10:36 AM

A fine looking leopard Steve. I have no problem with the green foliage at the top. I am sure that the colours are accurate but the image does look a wee bit pale and flat and might benefit from a tiny bit of saturation and/or contrast.
I'm not convinced by the composition though. Given that you have opted to leave in the green foliage it would be nice to include a bit more of the habitat. Given that you had quality time with the leopard it is a shame that the shot is side on with no eye contact. It feels a bit detached.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on January 26, 2015 at 10:37 AM

Cheers Jerry, but minimal room to the right. If you add any Contrast you will choke and loose any real fine detail in the dark/shadow areas IMHO, but appreciate the feedback, cheers.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on January 26, 2015 at 12:02 PM

Thanks Martin, but the colour is faithful, well as best you can, being later in the morning as you know, the light will get stronger and the colours less intense, paler. I try to keep all adjustments to a minimum as it's so easy to push them in PP. I wanted the image to parallel/shadow the subject with a 2D content (side profile) with no eye contact with us, and to portray the animal relaxed, comfortable with our presence and showing no signs of stress, content to carry on his daily business. I'm sure an image with eye contact will follow at some point.

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

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on January 26, 2015 at 6:25 PM

In my opinion, you have achieved exactly what you were attempting (as mentioned in your reply to Martin) when you captured this image. The big cat does not seem to know of your presence and looks quite intent on going about the day's business. When I first looked at it, I thought cropping the top 1/3 all the green) or so to create a pano would nicely set off the animal, but I am not so sure now that I have spent more time with it. In any event, well done.

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 27, 2015 at 9:22 PM

Stephen, it is very good to see you back and posting interesting and excellent images. I like this for the reason you alluded to, the wonderful stippled effect of the camouflage. The alert, broadside pose is an enhancement, too.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on January 30, 2015 at 11:53 AM

Thanks folks, especial Lon, appreciated.

Steve

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