Qadesh, a photo from Ontario, Central

Photographer's Note

Note copied from original post in Feb. 2007

Continuing the theme: How close…?…

How close can you get ?
Is it possible to get so close to another human being with your lens, THAT there is no more room for breathing…?
So close too share the wounds with another human being…
So close - to see his/her cavities… The hair in the nose… Read the mind?
Is the lens of my camera so powerful to register that close encounter…?

Let's try once more…
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So close - to see her fangs !!!
To smell her breath…
To be afraid of aggravating her with the sound of your camera' shutter ???

Qadesh is a 600lbs. Siberian tiger. She lives with her owner in Ontario.
Despite the hours spent on discussing the animal behavior, the thrill of being so close is beyond description.
Constant fear: What if…?
There is no bullet fast enough to stop the tiger in the movement. Its jaw's crushing power is that of 5000 lbs. per square inch. Have you folks seen in N.G. TV's program scene when attacking Bengali tiger (usually smaller than Siberian), throw the Indian buffalo in the air !!!
And, if you dear members, will complain that there could be a better POV in my photos, or better DOF, or bokeh, or framing, or…
You have to forgive me, because…
That little fellow over there is……………………my son.
And if………………………………???

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To Mr. Bill Fraser, the owner of the tigress - I dedicate these images.
A wonderful man, real gentleman, former CRAF pilot, without whom great cooperation, these photos wouldn't be possible to obtain.
And yes…To Lady Qadesh, whose behavior was more than exceptional.
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That white thing behind…?
A 'Cadillac' stretched limousine, needed for transportation (assignments, events, movies, celebrations) of that lady.
Fully stretched, Qadesh measures over three meters in length. That lady really needs a living space.
Also, the tinted windows of the limo provide necessary privacy. There is a food compartment as well, in there.

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To be continued…

Update: Lady Qadesh died in 2005.

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ribeiroantonio, avene has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

michelloupis (0) 2009-03-11 17:27

George, my friend... I need some air... That processing of yours...

If this shot does not double your points... if this shot... forget it. Why to waste time with words when you could be devouring that "thing" with your eyes?

Man... what an incredible... what a powerful... what a mother f****** astonishing photograph.

n.

avene (12675) 2009-03-11 18:39

mmmmm.... you can see she's a Real Lady - very polite, very elegant, very intelligent, and may be just a little bit tired of all the limelight she as a celebrity is exposed to. "Cadillac" stretch limousine is the least she should have, which chillet champ... sorry, water waiting for her after yet another crowd-pleaser appearance. and look at those emerald/amber eyes and dare to tell me she is not smarter that many of our brotherly homo wanna-be-sapiens. the only reason she doesn't talk is that she is too smart for that, and knows that the moment she did that, she would be put to work in one of the banks.
love the photo, George. I iwas born in the year of the tiger, so I've always had a soft spot for these awesome beasts.

take care,
Kristine

chris04stop (6805) 2009-03-11 18:48

Bravo George! I love cats and this tiger is just a big, big cat. For me.
But..oh...as you know I am a witch!
Ehi...this a very beautiful pic. Strong contrast between the terrible face of the tiger and the sweet smile of the child. He was SO brave!
Ciao..
Anna Paola

Merline (0) 2009-03-11 19:50

Now...this one is mine ! Claire had the lama, I get the big cat, noboby moves!
I was going to sleep, than I think, let's have a last look at Polonaise's fotkas...this makes my day, sorry, night;-).
That son of yours looks like he could make a good snack to this beauty.
This is so ******* good, I cannot believe it. A queen, she is, Qadesh. Every pixel in place, top notch stuff, great story too. I am in love with anything feline, anyway...
Long live Qadesh, long live Polonaise. !

Michèle

omerozden (1259) 2009-03-12 3:32

hello george,
when i saw this photo first i thought you did with 20 mm. the experiement with getting closer is something producing adrenaline. this is a crazy shot!
incredible!
warm regards,
omer

HaloGirlAsh117 (0) 2015-12-31 22:34

A few notes on this photo

I am the daughter of Bill Frazer and i grew up with Qadesh from birth

at her heaviest she weighed 465 pounds
she died a little more than a week past my 9th birthday
July 20th to be exact

i grew up sleeping in the same bed as Qadesh, she would protect me many times in my first 9 years and insure that when i accompanied my dad to events with her, that i didn't get swamped by crowds by putting herself in between me and the other people. I have had the delight and wonderful memory to have walked Qadesh by her collar through the Toronto sportsman show into onto the show floor with hundreds of dogs barking and having done this and other things like this many times helping my dad (until they saw Qadesh.. they very quickly went dead silent after that :p)

and off topic. the limo is actually a 8' Stretched Chevrolet Capris Classic with a lengthened rear passenger side door (8 inches longer actually) a crescent shaped interior with center ottomans so Qadesh could lie down.. and the drivers rear door was welded shut and made seamless into the side of the car.