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I've been Pacing this Enclosure

© Michelle Alton

I've been Pacing this Enclosure

Uploaded: September 24, 2014 | Entered: September 24, 2014 14:28:47

Description

This has been rated the 9th best zoo in the USA. Maybe it's because the grounds are nicely landscaped and manicured. But I am NO WAY convinced that the animals are content here. Granted, some came here to be saved from extinction, and the zoo is doing a good job. But most are very confined. This beautiful cat had been circling his enclosure like the tiger in Little Sambo.
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Still experimenting with the new Topaz plugin, "Impression." I then used the Nik Silver Efex to convert the painting to black and white, and lowered the opacity of the BW layer. I think this "look" conveys the cat's emotion.

Exif: F Number: 6.3, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/500 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 800, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 300.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Comments

Evy Johansen level-classic September 24, 2014

Beautiful Work, Michelle! Wonderful image! #1588291

Colette M. Metcalf September 24, 2014

Wonderful capture and great use of the Topaz!! #11143361

Terry Cervi level-deluxe September 24, 2014

I really like your treatment here, Michelle. I don't like the poor animal's situation. #11143424

Monnie Ryan September 24, 2014

Beautiful cat - but if that's all the space he has, it's awful! #11143430

Jeffrey R. Bange September 24, 2014

Great capture and treatment Michelle, I have to agree with you that most zoos do not have large enough enclosures for most of their animals but I guess it sure beats the alternative for a lot of them. #11143445

Tiia Vissak September 25, 2014

a great story-telling image! #11143475

Douglas Pignet September 25, 2014

nice capture & treatment...nicely done #11143502

Michelle Alton September 25, 2014

Note: This is just a corner of the cheetah enclosure. It is not cage-like, but certainly very confining for the fastest running animal on the planet. Seeing him "pacing" within his confines was very disturbing. #11143525

Julianne Bradford September 25, 2014

Poor baby..great capture Michelle #11143704

Emile Abbott level-deluxe September 25, 2014

Hope he gets to run some. I like to get my animal captures in the wild, but we do not have any zoos close by. #11143917

John Connolly September 25, 2014

What a sad situation for this beautiful wild animal Michelle! I like your topaz work! #11144204

Emiel Van Hemelrijck September 26, 2014

beautiful work and image #11145308

Barbara Waldoch September 26, 2014

Beautifully presented, Michelle! #11145733

Cindy Bendush level-classic September 29, 2014

Nicely captured and presented Michelle. Like you, I don't think zoos can provide the space or stimulation that in particular, large predators need. They normally have many square miles of territory. This beautiful cheetah is in the equivalent of a playpen. I wouldn't like being confined to this space and if you ask the cheetah I'm sure he'd concur. #11148167

Lou Taylor October 02, 2014

Lovely image and I really like the processing. I always have mixed emotions at a zoo and even the rescue centers too. #11150394

Ann Coates level-classic October 18, 2014

This is so sad, I hope he gets let out for a run at least. Beautifully photographed Michelle. #11161690

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