Deftly cropping an image to manipulate what is being perceived is pretty easy to do. These two photos show fairly well what I was trying to accomplish. The first concentrates almost solely on the leopard and the viewer sees it licking its lips and the mind is free to decide what is going on...the second, much more graphic, but simply a wider view of the first brings in totally different emotions..
Eric
Nice shot Eric...a little cropping certainly goes a long way in changing the emotions of a scene. I do like the second one better, I think when it comes to wildlife shots a little bit graphic shows the true nature of the animal and it's world.
While 1 insulates the viewer from the rigors of life and death 2 tells the story of life and death. I think this was a great idea for a post and you pulled it off well. 2 wins, to me it is a dynamic shot that I would be proud to call my own. Well done Eric
ScottHM wrote:
Nice shot Eric...a little cropping certainly goes a long way in changing the emotions of a scene. I do like the second one better, I think when it comes to wildlife shots a little bit graphic shows the true nature of the animal and it's world.
Thanks for your nice comments and commentary. I tend to agree with you but many find photos depicting "real life" difficult to view. I typically don't find kill shots particularly pleasing if they show too much gore but I hope these more depict what one is likely to see on safari (if lucky, that is)
Eric
tfoltz wrote:
Eric, I prefer #2 also, it tells the story
-Tim
Thanks Tim...I am happy to hear you liked the second one...it gives me a bit more latitude in posting more images that while a bit graphic aren't over the top.
Eric
While 1 insulates the viewer from the rigors of life and death 2 tells the story of life and death. I think this was a great idea for a post and you pulled it off well. 2 wins, to me it is a dynamic shot that I would be proud to call my own. Well done Eric
Tim
I'm just preparing you my friend...life and death and all that entails is part of what African safaris so special. The "pretty" leopard, cheetah, lion and wild dog pix do belie their true nature as predators who would as soon cut your throat out as pose for a sun bathed photo...I am pretty sure you will fill an entire hard drive with images we will all be drooling over!
Eric
surfnron wrote:
A very nice demonstration Eric. Mission accomplished. Both are good, but they each have a different feel. I'll go with 2 too ~ Ron
Thanks Ron...and what I see from comments is actually a bit surprising, pleasantly so, that a little tasteful (no pun intended) real life (and death) imagery is appreciated.
Eric
As a Wildlife Biologist for my entire career, I have seen it all and none of it bothers me much. I sometimes feel a little empathy for a prey animal being torn apart in it's final throes. I also dislike seeing a predator expending a lot of energy in pursuit and fail. I wonder if its offspring will go hungry for the night or maybe perish.
yeah eric, whenever the animal is a staring into space like in shot #1, the viewer needs to use his imagination to think about at what the subject might be looking. shot #2 does tell a good story though!
KCollett wrote:
Both are nice Eric. First leaves you wondering, as you suggest. The second confirms what you thought.
Thanks Ken...I struggle with posting images like the second so I'm glad you liked it.
Eric
Both are good, but they each have a different feel. I'll go with 2 too ~ Ron