Picture of the Week 19 January 2010

[Greg B]

Firstly, apologies for the late arrival of this week's PotW. However, it is worth the
wait, because the selection for this week is blacknstormy's sublime image
of a magnificent leopard, taken at the Adelaide zoo.

There are real skills at work here. Firstly, the original image has been beautifully
captured, and whatever is between the cat and the photographer (in order to prevent
the former eating the latter) cannot be seen. Secondly, the rather distracting
background - which can be seen in the thread because Rel has posted the original
unprocessed image - has been nicely removed in PP. Add a little more work in post
to highlight the eyes of this fine creature, and the result is really something
special. This is a quality image with appropriate and skilled PP.

Well done Rel.



Original thread here. Well worth a look for the
unprocessed leopard shot and a great shot of the fox.

[stubbsy]

Well knock me over with a feather. I missed this sublime image when Rel posted it and I'm thankful you chose it Greg, however late. This is a strong and compelling image which really shows the power of post processing to enahnce the shot. Here Rel has taken the brave decision that less is more and succeeded in spades. Having looked at the original shot I must say I'd have been tempted to bin it, yet look at this fantastic result.

OK I'll stop gushing Congrats Rel

[colin_12]

Nice choice here. Way to go Rel.

[wendellt]

Rel you have made that fierce beast look like a kitty kat waiting to get fed
I've never seen such a look on a tiger before
Its warm and stunning great work and very well picked

[aim54x]

Great shot, well deserved

[biggerry]

Awesome shot, well done Rel, great choice Greg.

[Geoff]

Brilliant image Rel!
Brilliantly chosen Greg!!

[lightning]

stunning! well done!

[Wink]

Well deserved. I loved this shot from the minute i saw it.

[Big Red]

Awesome shot Rel ... well deserved

[Manta]

I can't believe I missed the original thread! D'oh. What a magnificent shot - a great example of you seeing the possibilities of an image and being prepared to put in a bit of work to get it just right.

Well done Rel and a very well deserved PoTW.

Good one Greg.

[Reschsmooth]

Awesome shot that deserves to be printed large on glossy paper (I love low-key shots on glossy paper). Deserved POTW.

I give no credit to Greg as his job was done for him by Rel.

[bigsarg7]

well done, very well captured and PP. you'll have to pass on your nifty techniques rel!! congrats on POW!!

[zafra52]

Well done! You captured a dramatic pose.

[ATJ]

How could I have missed a shot by Rel?

This is wonderful and a thoroughly deserved POTW.

[blacknstormy]

Holy Dooly !!! Thank you all so much Greg, I certainly didn't expect this - I am so chuffed !!!
Thank you all for your wonderful comments - when I chimped the shot at the zoo, I loved the expression and the clarity of the eyes, and figured all I could really do was 'get rid' of the zoo out of the shot all together, so I just had a go, and was pretty happy with the results - but I really didn't expect this :)
PP'ing consisted of a curves adustment, dodging highlights and burning the shadows of the eyes, a 'fix up' of the whiskers on the right hand side of the shot, and then (lol) using the burn tool to get rid of the background ... not really high class pp'ing sorry, but it kind of worked :)
You've really made my night !!!
Hugs
Rel

[marcotrov]

Well chosen Greg and well deserved Rel. Great vision culminating in ideal post processing.
cheers
marco

[Matt. K]

Compelling fine art.