The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Leopard was walking toward us in late afternoon.
Specific Feedback
I have edited this in Lightroom and have been playing with the white and black sliders more with masks and am wondering if it is overdone. I have darkened the background and boosted the whites and blacks as well as the highlights and shadows. When do you know if it is over edited?
Technical Details
1/1000, F5.6, ISO 2000 and 356 mm.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
“When do you know if it is over edited?”…Phil, if we knew that we would have the wisdom of the world! It’s pretty subjective really, and all a matter of personal taste/style. But there are a couple of sayings that I try to remember as I sit in front of Lightroom burning the midnight oil:
1 Get it right in camera
2 Less is more
Hopefully they speak for themselves. Of course RAW files will need some work but hopefully not too much!
This is a nice picture of the leopard, I think that you have managed the background well, it is nicely darkened to provide some framing for the cat, but it retains some detail.
The leopard is obviously walking into a strong sun that is quite low from the right hand side. On my screen the orange/yellow on the fur is a bit too strong, maybe try to control this with the Saturation or Vibrance sliders.
The white fur around the mouth looks possibly burned out (too bright) see if you can mask this small area and take it down with the highlight slider).
Good luck with it.
I have the problem of not knowing when enough is enough. I have a lot of this leopard as it walked by and in a tree and getting the color right is a challenge in the sun. I will play with the Saturation and Vibrance sliders and see what it looks like.