A Royal Bengal Tigeress coming from cover and walking towards me here in Ranthambhore, India. We had tracked this Tigress over so open ground beforehand until she vanished into cover. Through the knowledge and skill of my guide Salim Ali we waited, jeep engine off and we were set back from the dense vegetation this Tigress had gone into. This image captures the moment she came from that cover and started walked our way.
I chose to shoot in portrait composition to get her all in with some of the habitat showing. Heart in your mouth moment though here and for a few seconds I sensed she may just come to close, but in the end she banked off left and carried on hunting the Samba deer. This May will be the third year running that I visited India and over that time I have been very privileged to see these most beautiful of animals.
You never forget your first Tiger sighting as it stays with you forever, let’s hope everything that is been done can save these animals from extinction.
This is exactly like the first tiger I saw in Ranthabhor, coming straight out through the bush, getting too close then heading off. Will never forget it. I think I need to go back! Her face does not look quite sharp, but it does not matter. Sharpness is overated anyway.
Brilliant.
Posted by David Sewell on March 7, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Critically sharp or not (and I can't tell on the computer I am currently using), you certainly notice that stare, especially on the large version.
David
Posted by Barry Southon on March 7, 2012 at 12:39 PM
I would be absolutely thrilled just to see this Craig, let alone get a picture. Maybe not critically sharp and I would probably tweek the saturation / vibrancy a touch but I'd be delighted to have this on my files.
Of course we are supposed to have our own big cat, the Pembrokeshire Panther, down here but the biggest I've seen so far is my neighbours big fat moggy .
Thank you for your comments gents, I have added a bit of saturation and sharpening. I should have maybe done that in the first place but I think it looks better now,again thanks
Great image , Craig! She's giving you a very hard stare! Think the second version is better.
Posted by Nick Mckeown on March 8, 2012 at 6:10 PM
Re-post for me Craig. Stunning image with the feel that she is walking right towards. It must have been a wonderful experience and I am sure it will remain with you forever. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Discussion
17 repliesI chose to shoot in portrait composition to get her all in with some of the habitat showing. Heart in your mouth moment though here and for a few seconds I sensed she may just come to close, but in the end she banked off left and carried on hunting the Samba deer. This May will be the third year running that I visited India and over that time I have been very privileged to see these most beautiful of animals.
You never forget your first Tiger sighting as it stays with you forever, let’s hope everything that is been done can save these animals from extinction.
Nikon D3S
Nikon F4VR600
F5.6,1/800
ISO 1000
Matrix,-0.3EV
Monopod, Jeep
Capture NX2,CS5,Levels,Curves,Sharpening.
Thanks for looking
Brilliant.
David
An image to remember for life.
Must have been some moment real excitement,great image.
Keith.
JR
Of course we are supposed to have our own big cat, the Pembrokeshire Panther, down here but the biggest I've seen so far is my neighbours big fat moggy
Nick.
Cracking
Beautifully captured and the framing and setting couldn't be better,