Cheetah Hunt in the Pouring Rain

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

Cheetah Series 871.jpg
Cheetah Series 871.jpg1500×999 950 KB

Critique Style Requested: Initial Reaction

Please share your immediate response to the image before reading the photographer’s intent (obscured text below) or other comments. The photographer seeks a genuinely unbiased first impression.

Questions to guide your feedback

What is your initial reaction to this image? What do you like and why? If you don’t like it, why?

Thank you.

Other Information

Please leave your feedback before viewing the blurred information below, once you have replied, click to reveal the text and see if your assessment aligns with the photographer. Remember, this if for their benefit to learn what your unbiased reaction is.

Image Description

While in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, I spent an afternoon watching a female cheetah and her cub hunt. After 2 unsuccessful hunts, it started to rain very heavily and the cheetahs continued to hunt. My goal was to capture a decent image depicting the action of a cheetah hunting as it was the first time I witnessed one. This is an image of the adult cheetah at full speed. I know it’s not a “technically perfect” image and want to know what viewers ’ initial reactions are to it. Thank you.

Technical Details

Exposure 1/2500 sec at f / 5.0
ISO 2000
Focal length 400 mm
Lens - Nikor Z 400mmf/4.5 VR S

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:
1 Like
2

I love the rains down in Africa . . . Debbie. What a great action shot! That cheetah is in full speed mode. I think the pouring rain adds to the impression of speed in this one. I love that you caught it with all paws off and completely stretched out.

3

Debbie: I think this is marvelous. Definitely not your classic shot. The rain is a great element IMO and the cheetah stretched out completely captured the moment perfectly. Most excellent. >=))>

4

Great capture Debbie. Your image shows how the cheetah is built for speed. And, the rain shows the conditions in which it must hunt. I really like the laser focus on the target and can almost feel the motion. Well done!

5

Debbie, this is an excellent shot, and something different. It’s “tehnically perfect” enough, but more importntly, captures an amzing full-tilt hunt pose from this magnificent cat, and the rain and mist adds another dimension. Fantastic image!