Ally Green
January 2025 - At the Zoo - Looking at You
About the Image(s)
On our recent trip to the Serengeti we found this leopard up a tree. It had a graceful pose and just seemed to enjoy sitting on the branch. A perfect viewpoint to Its prey.
Shot with my Canon R5 100-400mm lens 1/125 F8 ISO2000.
Very little in post apart from darkening the background in masquing in LR and putting a vignette.
8 comments posted
This is a great shot. Your focus, exposure, and composition is very good. Unfortunately, the background is very busy and the light on the leopard is rather flat. I selected the leopard and its branches to another layer. Then used levels to dramatize the lighting on the leopard. For the background I used levels to darken the tree branches and added a slight gaussian blur. I might have gone a bit overboard. Posted: 01/08/2025 20:26:11
Thanks Connie and yes i was too bothered about the background so you have done a much improved version thank you! Posted: 01/13/2025 22:55:50
Terrific shot. I like that you were able to capture the leopard with such an intense look in his eyes. What is he looking at? Possible dinner? I can't suggest anything. The framing is good, pose perfect, and color all looks good to me. Posted: 01/09/2025 02:45:40
Thanks Bunny. Yes i think he was on the look for dinner! From his vantage point that gave him an advantage. Posted: 01/13/2025 22:56:39
You found a great pose! Nice capture of those eyes and whiskers. The eyes are at the right place according to the rule of thirds. An impactful pose! As with most tree branch pictures, the bright spots shining through the branches and leaves are distracting. I know it is hard to darken and soften them enough, but here is my attempt. I decreased the contrast and texture and clarity and whites and brightness. I brightened the animal and added more texture. Posted: 01/09/2025 20:52:33
Thanks Carole and the background as you say was distracting. I like your version too and the fact you have made the leopard pop more. Posted: 01/13/2025 22:58:10
Ally - you are spot on with the eyes - tack sharp and intense. They pull you into the subject. I like the edit to blur and soften the background as the leopard spots with the branches is very busy. I think I prefer less saturation of the leopard which would still stand out with the more subtle background. Nice job! The other image I considered submitting this month was a close up of an Amur Leopard in black and white. Posted: 01/17/2025 21:52:25
Wonderful capture Ally. What an exciting thing to experience! Your focus is just where it needs to be.
I agree with both Connie and Carole about the distracting background, especially those bright blue areas of the sky behind the tree. The nice thing about those kinds of issues is that they are relatively easy to fix in post these days. Posted: 01/19/2025 22:07:08
I agree with both Connie and Carole about the distracting background, especially those bright blue areas of the sky behind the tree. The nice thing about those kinds of issues is that they are relatively easy to fix in post these days. Posted: 01/19/2025 22:07:08