Leopard Cub In The Shadows

Image Critiques Wildlife Critiques
1

NPN_LEOPARD_CSD8385.jpg
NPN_LEOPARD_CSD8385.jpg2000×1600 303 KB

NPN_LEOPARD_CSD8385_COLOR.jpg
NPN_LEOPARD_CSD8385_COLOR.jpg2000×1600 304 KB

Leopard Cub In The Shadows - Color

NPN_LEOPARD_CSD8136_BW.jpg
NPN_LEOPARD_CSD8136_BW.jpg2000×1600 330 KB

Leopard Cub In The Shadows - 2nd Composition - BW

NPN_LEOPARD_CSD8136_COLOR.jpg
NPN_LEOPARD_CSD8136_COLOR.jpg2000×1600 328 KB

Leopard Cub In The Shadows - 2nd Composition - Color

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I’ve recently returned from the Sabi Sands, South Africa. Spent a lot of time photographing this beautiful Sabi Sands cub and its mother. I thought it was a great moment to photograph the cub resting in the shadows of a bend in a creek bed.

Specific Feedback

Trying to decide if a color version or B&W is more appealing. Let me know what you like!

Technical Details

Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
First compositions - 1/1000 at f/4.0, ISO 320, 560mm
Second compositions - 1/1000 at f/4.0, ISO 250, 560mm
Lightroom Classic

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:
2

I prefer the pix where cub is looking into the camera, as others have strong highlights in the BG.
But all the images have very strong blacks, which may be reduced to extract more details.

1 Like
3

Thank you @JRajput I’ll work on that!

4

I also like the second pic best (for the same reason as Jagdeep but also for the eye contact), but I would use the colour version. Maybe you can indeed work on highlights and shades a bit.
Grt, Ingrid.

1 Like
5

Thank you @Ingrid_Vekemans .