Leopard's view, Tarangire Photo

Photographer’s Note

This image was captured on slide film and scanned. It was taken using a 600mm lens with a 2x converter. The combination of these two factors has lost a little of the sharpness but it still reflects a special moment for me. We had come across this female leopard at close quarters very suddenly. She took a look at us and started moving. We thought we had lost her and then after a time she re-appeared through some thick grassy areas before finally climbing this collapsed giant of a tree. The setting was awesome with the wide open vistas in the background and the slowly failing light falling on the leopard. Special thanks to my guide Stephen of Wildersun Safaris for his preseverance.

Tarangire is one of Tanzania's great secrets. Everyone allways talks of Ngorongoro and the Serengeti but Tarangire has so much to offer. I think of it as the land of the giants. Besides a huge variety of other species the scenes of the elephant herds are often set against glades of baobab or other massive trees. If you are going to Tanzania be sure to give this park a couple of days. It has lodges to suit all tastes and the experience is not to be missed. Ideal for a stop on the way to or from the better known parks.

KevRyan, faraujo, aferrao, Facsi, tyaney, Germaine has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ccooper (836) 2005-07-25 8:08

Rob,
Absolutely beautiful with wonderful DOF to accentuate the leopard. Looks like an amazing place.

KevRyan (22418) 2005-07-25 8:09

Fantastic composition Rob - great depth of field and fantastic lines through the image to focus us on this magnificent cat - a wonderful shot. I'm not so sure personally about the frame - I think I would have preffered something simpler - I almost feel like it cheapens the image - like it's printed on a tray or something - juts makes it look too commercial - it deserves much bettere than that IMHO!

[2] +

JanArie (239) 2005-07-25 8:11

Superb photo Rob!
Especially with the light just on the Leopard.
Very good composition.

faraujo (1318) 2005-07-25 9:05

Hi Rob
Good start on TE.
Great colours, you caught the soul of the savana. The big cats always facinaste me. thanks for this moment on Tanzania.
Cheers
Filipe

donluicu (23927) 2005-07-25 11:59

ohhhh!
what a fantastic shot with this (ugly) frame....
don't waste your talent with this kind of framing, not useful.
bye
loic

Marche (4307) 2005-07-25 15:12

Bonsoir Rob,
Magnifique composition. Quelle chance d'avoir capturé ce léopard. Superbes couleurs et bel éclairage. Extraordinaire netteté de l'image pour un film scanné.
Amicalement
Martine

aferrao (1074) 2005-07-25 19:46

The sharpening is not that bad and the composition is what I most like! It's fantatic.
Realy well done!
Greatings, Artur.

Facsi (212) 2005-08-27 5:35

Two words: National Geographic
Professional photo

shayes (495) 2005-08-29 15:14

Incredible picture. I've been to Tanzania...leopards are really hard to find. Not only did you find one, but you took an incredible picture of it. I really like the sharpness of the leopard and branch, and the blurry background. The way the subject is illuminated gives this picture an other-worldly look. Well done! :)

tyaney (93) 2005-12-23 12:38

I'm really enjoying going through your portfolio. Preparing for my first trip to S.A., so I appreciate the extra narratives you include - not the how's, but the why's. Again, very, very nice.

Ebow (88) 2005-12-27 10:25

Great shot and good spotting of the leopard i might add. I totally agree with you on Tarangire.
Best regards
Edwin

Germaine (16) 2005-12-27 22:17

My word, that was a huge tree. It took a minute for the scale to sink in. I really like the shallow depth of field. Personally, I don't care much for the border. I'd rather be looking at the picture, but that's my personal taste. This is a great picture. Thanks for sharing.