The Elusive Leopard (with B&W repost)

Morkel: I think this image conveys the sense of elusiveness that leopards have. There is plenty of the clear view of the face / eyes to make this a compelling image for me.

I love images of cats where all is not revealed and this one is no exception. I have to admit that there are a few things like the bright and patterned out of focus regions that slightly lessen the impact. Still the first thing that came to mind was "awesome ! a lurking leopard staring back "

Morkel: I don't just like it, I REALLY like it. One of the reasons it's so effective is the shallow depth of field. I think this image has more drama and is more a story-telling image than the "standard." Great capture, and I like your decisions in processing as well. Just a very natural-looking image with wonderful look and sharpness where it counts.

Morkel, I like the concept. I have no problem with a view of the hunter camouflaged like this.

There is one thing that's bugging me, which is the bright reddish tones of the foreground foliage on the right. They're a bit of a distraction because in my eyes they create a slight imbalance contrasting against all the OOF green foliage to the left. I think it would actually lead me to attempt a vertical crop, getting rid of some of the green on the left (as well as the yellowish edge on the right), creating a sort of "split screen," as though it was shot through a half green/half red filter. Might be an interesting result.

Max

Hey Morkel,

While a professional photographer does have to think in terms of the appeal of an image to others (if they're going to eat!), I think your comment "...yet something in it appeals to me" says a lot. I think ALL of us should do some shooting just for ourselves...

Anyway - to be honest I have mixed feelings about the shot. I like the concept and you did a great job on selectively focusing on the cat. But I have to say the reddish colour of the out-of-focus foliage on the right hampers my appreciation of the shot some. I think if it were similar in colour to the out-of-focus vegetation in the rest of the shot I think it would work better for me (and then the two out-of-focus zones would act more effectively as a natural "frame" around the subject). My eyes did go back and forth between the two out-of-focus zones on the side more than they should have...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this one - good food for thought on this post...

Brad

An intense portrait of a wild leopard. The eyes make this a very effective image IMHO. Thanks for sharing.

I like the idea of how you have isolated the sharp face and eyes of the animal surrounded by bushes because it represents the real environment where this animal lives. I agree with Max and Brad, it is a pity that you got this red area on the right of the picture, it distract me a little. But, IMO even with this red area it is a great image.

Oscar

Thanks to everyone for the mighty fine critique and discussion. You certainly have helped me see this from another angle. I quite like the 'red foliage' as it was autumn and that's part of the colours I try to capture during this time of year in the bush. I can see that it would be a distraction, though.

Here's a totally different approach - how about a B&W conversion, with tonal adjustments to make the "natural frame" similar in tonality and help the leopard stand out more?

Black and white works better in this case I think, since the tones of the surrounding foliage are balanced, and the fact that you rendered them darker really helps draw the eye to the leopard.

Max

Wow! Morkel, this is just awesome! I love the hidden look it gives as the leopard is just peering through the branches. I don't even know how you found an opening with all that ruffage ! Congrats on another amazing image ! Love the repost!

Very successful shot. Much different then usual leopard photos. Leopard is complety sharp and Thichet made good BG. TFS.

I had mixed feelings about thiis image until you converted it into b&w. Now it looks great because one doesn't have to deal with that oof red area!

Hi Morkel,

I much prefer the B&W version. I also think darkening the OOF vegetation was a good choice - now both colour differences and brightness differences have been minimized and the resulting image is much simpler and the concept is clearer (at a glance).

Cheers...

Brad

Much better now, Morkel.
Oscar

I like the idea of shallow DOF and red foreground was distracting so b&w is better choice. Sharp head really stands out from the blurry branches.
Regards, Gorazd

Thanks for the additional feedback, guys...
I too like the B&W more, and was always itching to try just that but never got round to it until now...

Morkel, I have mixed reactions to the color version, but really like the black and white processing.

Morkel one of the biggest problem's we photographer's have is
What will they say if it's slightly different????
This slightly different is the most natural you can get,
This is how they live and have to survive in camouflage daily.
I think that this is very strong and brings out the reality of the African jungle.
Yes in the Kruger National Park with all the visitors and cars they get used to them and wonder out into the open occasionally,
The B/W pops the cat out more making the cub more vunerable

I think the photo is fantastic and would like to see more of this type of photograph