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A Mara Leopard
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A Mara Leopard

by Mario Moreno

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 16, 2014141 views4 comments
A Leopard climbing down from a tree while focused on impala that were passing nearby. Image taken in the Mara North Conservancy in Kenya. I know some of you would prefer to see this in color but chose to go with the "shades of grey" version as I was able to control the strong contrast between highlights and shadows caused by midday harsh light with some dodging and burning which resulted in a pleasing image IMO.

EOS 1D Mark IV - EF300mm f2.8L IS USM - 1/250sec @ f8.0 - ISO 400

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on April 16, 2014 at 6:13 PM
The dappled light and cloudy background make this really dynamic. Since you were dodging and burning, I wonder if some dodging on the upper left dark patch of clouds would work at all. It's so much darker than the rest of the background that it's really the only thing throwing things off for me.

Max
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 16, 2014 at 7:50 PM
The Leopard and tree are gorgeous! Somehow, that sky takes away from the image. It seems awkwardly softer than the Leopard/tree. Along with some dodging on the dark ULC, perhaps some selective sharpening of the clouds?
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 17, 2014 at 1:41 AM
I like the intent gaze and posture of a cat ready to move. The "silvery" sort of effect on the tree and leopard is very pleasing. I agee with the others about the suggestions to do something about the upper left, doesn't look very natural as is. Of course it is your photo and "natural" may not be your desired endpoint.
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Cloran on April 17, 2014 at 10:26 PM
Stunning shot Mario. :toast: I do agree with Max that lightening the upper left would be nice. The tail even seems to do a tonal merge with the dark sky there at one point.
Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments