Leopard rocks

[Steve Kaluski]

• Steve Kaluski
• www.untamedimages.co.uk
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 13.4 (Macintosh)

Subject: Leopard (F) ((Panthera pardus)
Location: Africa
Camera: Canon EOS R3
Lens: EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM plus EF1.4x III HH
Exposure: 1/1600 at f/7.1 ISO2000
Original format: Landscape, FF width

Steve

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

Your Leopard rocks, Steve:cheers:

Very special capture of an elusive species! Pose is superb and I like the image design, love the composition. Great POV, the direct stare and those beautiful eyes make the image for me.

Unusual circumstances with the bright FG and BG and subject in the shade - yet it works so well... this an animal that is so skilled when it comes to concealing itself, able to blend with its surroundings and thus get close to prey, unnoticed.

Colours spot on here and the frame overall has this natural look and feel. Lovely detail on the subject. And great techs, as expected.

Love the warmth and golden light, this is Africa at its best:w3


One of my favourites from your trip, thank you so much for sharing!

Hope you had an awesome evening and I wish you a pleasant and relaxing week-end,

Warmest regards,

 

[Steve Kaluski]

Hey Gabriela, would you believe it, in less than an hour of leaving camp on arrival, we had tracked her with the impala kill but this area is so rocky she took to the high ground. Later on the way back, we saw her with the cub using a soft spot light far higher, both again just looking down at us.

The tracker was ex Anti Poaching and brilliant at what he did, ditto the Guide so between the four of us we had a ball a great team and to be re united again. This is Leopard city for sure, but the landscape is breathtaking and something we hadn't appreciated, but I think you and Carl know this, so next time its a different agenda and more time too.

It's been a long time since shooting in such rich, saturated light, and those tweaks we spoke of in camera, just elevated things hugely.

Have a wonderful Sunday, thanks again.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Gabriela Plesea]

Must admit I am quite jealous of this frame. Really like the image design and pose of the leopard. As well as those stunning rich colours. As you said, Africa at its best!

Well I shall have to be patient and wait for next year so I can see my 'leopard city'. Or rather shall we say, 'predator country'. Was close to lion pride and cubs this morning but could not see them, they were chilling in a drainage line. Knowing life they'll be on the road on Monday when I'm rushing to get to work:2eyes2:

 

[Jonathan Ashton]

Super shot not exactly something you would see regularly. The details in the leopard look excellent, I like the colours overall. I could also see a version with the brighter areas toned down a little, depends on taste of course but cannot help but feel they would not pull my eye from the leopard quite so much if tamed a little. I appreciate this may not be what you want and it is ideal to your eye.

 

[Steve Kaluski]

I could also see a version with the brighter areas toned down a little, depends on taste of course but cannot help but feel they would not pull my eye from the leopard quite so much if tamed a little. I appreciate this may not be what you want and it is ideal to your eye.

Thanks Jon, you have to be there, the light was just awesome and you need those HL's & low Lights to create contrast depth and tone, otherwise it just looks flat. This location was leopard city, with great interaction at one point, but with challenging light to a degree, but never did I, or others who I've spoke to about this location thought we would be so fortunate in what we encountered.

Definitely some fun times, and times where I did challenge the kit and chance my arm with it, but for me, I really like what I have come back with and making a big change within camera before I left, this has just generated images with just perfect colour IMHO.

 

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Steve,

I'm afraid I can't find enough superlatives for this image! It totally blows me away!

I love the contrast between the shadows and the bright sunlit colours; between the harsh texture of the rocks and the soft texture of the animal. And the wonderful 'chill' of the Leopard.

A really fabulous frame. Very well done, sir!

 

[Steve Kaluski]

Thank you so much Gerald for the extremely kind and generous words/comments, I'm glad you like it, this is 'Leopard' heaven.

The landscape here was just stunning and the rocky hills proved good leopard sighting, but some of the best was in the bush.

I hope all is well at your end as we haven't seen you post for a while.

BTW I'm very glad you went to Svalbard when you did!!!!!

KR
Steve :wave:

 

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Steve,

There are many reasons that I am very pleased to have gone to Svalbard when I did. But I guess you are referring to the new regulations that prohibit anyone from approaching closer to a polar bear than 500 meters. These regulations have been introduced on the premise that photographers getting close to bears disturbs the bears and endangers them.

The people that I travelled with on the MS Malmo were very active in arguing against the regulations, but it seems to little outcome. Oslo is 2000 kilometres from Svalbard!

However, they are offering tours now and through the 2025 season with business as usual. Rather than working the fiords, they will be working the drift ice outside the 12 nautical mile limit. Images from their current tour in the drift ice suggest this is a good strategy - they have even been able to capture polar bears and Beluga whales in the same frame!

So all is not lost! And I certainly would love to return there when I can.

Best regards, Gerald

 

[Steve Kaluski]

Yep, you are correct Gerald.

The fact that if a Bear approaches you, you then have to retreat, well...

I would hedge my bets, close encounters we both enjoyed will be a thing of the past, even though it was always down to the Bear. From what I have seen, descriptions are vague, but as you say, offering other options. Would I go back, uncertain, but having the kitI have now and possibly in the future, Never say Never.

I can't complain after three tours, 1 & 3 exceptional, but now it looking at other options, albeit 'Leopard Rocks' is all booked in for next Year and for longer with new options too, so its' then just taking stock, who knows, perhaps our paths may cross one day. :cheers: