The stare of a cat!

great image. I like the color, dof, and the eye contact really makes the image for me. My only nit is that the cat was not quite so centered in the image.

That's a deadly look. It's really fascinating to see how the leopard is looking straight towards the camera ... good enough to hypnotize the viewers for few seconds. Terrific indeed.

Aside from the great pose of the leopard, your image is processed superbly. The soft lighting is perfect, expecially on the cat's face. Nice and crisp - ideal contrast and color balance. Couldn't be better. Just as a suggestion, for printing, you might consider a little tighter crop, maybe even to a square.

You are so right Ajit, these big cats can sure give you cold shivers! I like this one quite a bit; that look, but also the forward facing pose with those huge claws spread out is quite unique. The setting is beautiful as well. I only wonder how is would have been like with a less centered placement of the subject. My gut feel is that a placement higher and more to the left in the frame could work well (without knowing what is beyond the frame edges.) I would suggest to tone down the brightness and saturation of the green foliage in the BG a tad. Great image.

Sure feels like he's gonna jump you
The pose off the normal direction of movement on a trunk like that topped of with the stare.
The contact makes the image - Great work

I had an experience where I was in a tent and one of our local Mountain Lions was about 10 meters away yelling at me. It was pitch black night outside and I couldn't see the cat, but he sure knew I was there. Fortunately I had a flashlight and a butter knife to protect myself. They say it's like fighting with two chainsaws. A fantastic photo, Ajit. What a great experience to be this close to such a great creature.

Sure can't please everyone, can one? Richard Teller wants the leopard placed more centrally, but Vincent would like it more off centre! That's the great thing about wildlife photography, and why we all love it!

Great setting n beautiful frame! The dark diagonal tree, really adds to the frame!
I may prefer to burn the BG tree.
Jagdeep Rajput

Really beautiful animal and image. Nice capture.

Have you thought of cropping a little more off the top and bottom for more equal spacing around the subject?

I agree, that stare does invoke a natural reaction when seeing it looking directly at you.

Ajit,
Well said in your description of the cat and how they make you feel. This photo really affects me that way, and is still very beautiful in it's presentation. I like the centered image as all my interest is pointed to those dangerous eyes.
Well done!!!

Nice shot, i like the look that this cat hives to the camera!
I like it like that, composition is something personal, sometimes rules should be broken even if it's not what most would do.

Love the direct gaze, soft light and forest scene here Ajit!
For me the central placement works well given the surroundings and direct eye contact. I might crop in closer from all sides though?

Insanely intense look you're getting from this leopard Ajit. Looks like he is ready to pounce. I am okay with center comps when warranted. I think this one works well centered, but if mine, I might place high center. I think if placed higher it would emphasize the cat leaping down on the viewer. Just a thought and nice capture.

Beautiful image, Ajit. I like as posted, but feel it would be even stronger a little higher in the frame...easily accomplished with a sliver cropped from the top!

It's nice to see this animal with so much greenery in the frame. It's a different look, and the background seems to help bring out some slight green in the eyes too.

Max

Ajit,

What a privilege to get such a remarkably open sighting, the pose is remarkable.
Truly marvelous shot

Ajit, this one is really wonderful. TFS.