Snow Leopard [Contest Staff Favorites December 2013]
Uploaded: December 21, 2013 20:59:00
Shutter Speed: 1/400.00 F-stop: f/5.6
Focal Length: 200.00
Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.30, ExposureTime: 1/400 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 1000, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 200.00 mm, Model: SLT-A77V
Laura L. Gonzales
December 21, 2013
Sherran Andersen
December 21, 2013
Stephen Shoff December 21, 2013
Striking! You got a great balance between the colors in the eyes and nearly gray-scale fur and background. #10927247
Rita K. Connell
December 22, 2013
Beth Spencer December 22, 2013
I love the EYES!!!!! What a great shot!!! #10927333Dale Hardin December 22, 2013
Thank you all very much. This was at the zoo and I'd just about given up on getting any decent shots when I found the snow leopard. This was shot through a chain link fence. #10927463Peter W. Marks December 22, 2013
The thumbnail doesn't do it justice Dale. Then when I opened up the full size image WOW! Better than superb my friend. #10927568Dale Hardin December 22, 2013
Thanks a lot Peter, and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family. And may your new year be filled with joy. #10927635Jeff E Jensen December 22, 2013
Nice! #10927728Dale Hardin December 22, 2013
Thanks Jeff. #10927751Michelle Alton December 23, 2013
Wonderful portrait! #10927850Kalena Randall December 23, 2013
Super shot, Dale! Love the eyes! They are mesmerizing! #10928007Dale Hardin December 23, 2013
Michelle and Kalena, thanks a lot for such kind comments. #10928020Kristin Duff December 23, 2013
these are my favourite at our zoo too Dale…love how you captured his eyes…they look right thru me! #10928023
Michael Kelly
December 23, 2013
Elaine Hessler December 23, 2013
This is beautiful Dale! I love this! Mike-what are you seeing? I don't see anything with the eyes, but maybe some reflections in the irises. Do you see something else? #10928105Dale Hardin December 23, 2013
Kristin, thank you. This is the first one I've seen. In other zoos they were always hiding.Mike, I didn't saturate or sharpen the eyes any more than the rest of the image. However, I did de-saturate the rest of the cat a bit because his coat appeared yellow in some areas. Also I dodged and burned the lights and darks of the eyes. After all, I did desire that they were prominent.
Thanks very much Elaine. I think what Mike saw is explained in my comments to him. I took this last year, so will dig around and see if I can find the original. #10928192
Dale Hardin December 23, 2013
Mike, I found the original and must correct my statement. I did increase the vibrancy in raw before making adjustment in PSE. When I de-saturated the image, I of course masked the eyes. Here is the shot straight out of camera except for crop. #10928199Peter W. Marks December 23, 2013
Dale, I think you will agree I was most fulsome in my praise of this image so if I make a suggestion you will know I am just suggesting an alternative pose of this gorgeous creature NOT a better one. I have tried this on a screen capture and it seems to work but I will not upload it here in case I get the credit for it as I mistakenly did with Beths 'ice ornament' shot and add to my embarrassment! I cropped the bottom off by about one fourth and this brought his eyes almost on the upper third and his head better filled the screen which gave those eyes even greater emphasis.
Michael Kelly
December 23, 2013
Dale Hardin December 23, 2013
Peter and Mike, thanks for the input. I've supplied images to address each suggestion. #10928410
Michael Kelly
December 23, 2013
Susan Williams December 24, 2013
What a beautiful capture, Dale! I love all versions of this gorgeous animal. The eyes are stunning - and probably intended to stun. Fabulous work! #10928470Dale Hardin December 24, 2013
Merry Christmas Susan and thank you for the nice comment. Glad your computer is up and running. Crashes are always traumatic. #10928752Joy Rector December 25, 2013
gorgeous #10929208Dale Hardin December 25, 2013
Thank you Joy and Merry Christmas. #10929236Wm Nosal January 31, 2014
Beautiful Image Dale!Dale Hardin January 31, 2014
thanks a lot Wm. #10961613
Laura L. Gonzales
January 31, 2014
Dale Hardin February 01, 2014
Thanks so much, Laura and also thanks for the enthusiasm. :o) #10962189Beth Spencer February 01, 2014
Congratulations! #10963014Elaine Hessler February 01, 2014
Gorgeous-congrats Dale!!! #10963036Kristin Duff February 01, 2014
Congrats Dale! #10963062Dale Hardin February 01, 2014
Thanks, guys. #10963301JO ANN CLEVELAND February 02, 2014
Congratulations on this super finalist Dale! I have no idea why these folks you could improve on it!jo ann c. #10964491
Dale Hardin February 02, 2014
Thanks Jo Ann. We all belong to a photo critique club and exchange ideas on all our images. They've been a great help to me. #10964655Merna L. Nobile February 15, 2014
A new year, new photos and plenty awards to go around. Congratulations! #10976363Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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