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The Hunter
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The Hunter

by Ingrid Vekemans

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 16, 2016719 views13 comments
This cheetah was walking towards us over the savannah. A fallen tree was a good viewpoint for her, so this is where we took our position. Seconds after I took the photo 'In The Evening Light' with 500mm , I swopped to my other camera which had the 300mm on it. With hindsight, I might have wanted some more space on the left, but still... the elegance of the animal, the pose, the light and the dof made me quite satisfied with this photo.

Samburu, Kenya.

Nikon D800E
Nikkor AF-S VR 300mm f/2,8
f//2,8
1/1250s
200 ISO

Comments

13 comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on March 16, 2016 at 7:42 PM
Ingrid: I really like the pose (especially the arched back and raised hind legs) the light and the oof background which provides a 3D effect. When viewed large it looks like the cheetah's head is a bit soft. Do you see the same? Richard 
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Joe James on March 16, 2016 at 10:22 PM
Very nice Ingrid!  The pose really does make this shot.
Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments
Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on March 17, 2016 at 4:00 AM
Thanks Richard and Joe, for your appreciation.
@Richard, the head of the cheetah is actually tack sharp, so I'm not sure why you see it soft wink

Grt, Ingrid.
Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments
Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on March 17, 2016 at 6:36 AM
This is the best cheetah image I've ever seen.  Absolutely beautiful animal, wonderful pose and technically well done.  Wish it were mine!
Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 17, 2016 at 7:23 AM
Really nice Ingrid. The pose, perch and background all are exceptional. I do wish the cheetah had turned his head a bit more to the camera, but you can't have everything. Well done.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on March 17, 2016 at 10:29 AM
Ingrid: I must need new glasses. enlightened Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on March 17, 2016 at 11:05 AM
Great body-line n wonderful pose!
Jagdeep Rajput
Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments
Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on March 17, 2016 at 11:50 AM
The tension in the pose makes the shot.  Looks like she's in the starting blocks. Well done.
Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Bell on March 18, 2016 at 4:08 PM
This is one of the best Cheetah photos I have ever seen.  Very well done!
Registered on February 21, 2016, 187 Posts, 192 Comments
Comment posted by Christopher Yeoh on March 19, 2016 at 4:10 AM
The pose makes the shot!  If I was on the left I would be feeling a bit uncomfortable!  A great capture.
Registered on February 2, 2016, 4 Posts, 16 Comments
Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 20, 2016 at 8:29 AM
Hi Ingrid,

I really like the pose here - and definitely agree with Pete's point about it looking like the cheetah is in the starting blocks. And...I see no softness in the head...

On a "strictly personal preference" note - for me the composition is perhaps just a tad too tight...both on the bottom (just a sliver!) and on the left. But clearly this isn't bothering many (based on the comments above).

Cheers...

Brad

 
Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments
Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on March 28, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Wow, thank you! crying

Grt, Ingrid.
Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments
Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on April 3, 2016 at 5:45 PM
Very nice, Ingrid!
Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments