Lazy Leopard

[rampokker]

Any critique or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I was wondering if you think the focus around the face is sharp enough, also what could be done to improve composition.
I did a bit processing, there was a pole in the background that I cloned out and I used the burn tool to darken the background, the Leopard was lying in the shade so the background was totally blown out.

Thank you in advance

EXIF :
Camera : Nikon D5000 with Sigma 70-300mm DG macro lens
Focal Length : 300mm
F : 5.6
1 / 200 sec
Flash fired at full strenth (built in flash)

[windrider86]

Nice shot of the cat but the halo around it doesnt add much to the image

[Jim Poor]

More care in cloning / burning the background to avoid the bright halo around the subject would make this a really nice image.

[rampokker]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

More care in cloning / burning the background to avoid the bright halo around the subject would make this a really nice image.

Thank you, I am busy re doing it more carefully without the halo, what do you think about the comp. should I crop it a bit tighter or is it o.k like that, I'm not sure if I like the "grass" in the bottom right corner.

[Jim Poor]

I like the composition well enough, but a tighter view of the head might not be bad.

[rampokker]

I took the advice given and tried a different technique to get the background darker without the halo around the Leopard, I also changed my crop a little. What do you think? Did I spoil it or improve it?



I know I am bending the rules of the forum by posting another image, but I thought it senseless to create a new thread.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by rampokker

I took the advice given and tried a different technique to get the background darker without the halo around the Leopard, I also changed my crop a little. What do you think? Did I spoil it or improve it?



I know I am bending the rules of the forum by posting another image, but I thought it senseless to create a new thread.

The way I understand it, re-works of the original image can (and should) be posted in the same thread.

At first glance, MUCH better. That said, now you've gone from a light halo to a dark one. The black edge around the cat should be avoided. Some masking practice and more attention to detail would help.

[rampokker]

Thanks for the comment, I am still practicing with PS, hopefully I will get it right someday.

[ReginaldShort]

nice shot..

suggest me a standard camera to take such photos....