The essence of a leopard
Multi awarded winning image in 2014 and 2015. Grand prize in the Art Wolfe Compelling image Contest. 2nd in the National Wildlife Federation USA Annual photo co...
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Multi awarded winning image in 2014 and 2015. Grand prize in the Art Wolfe Compelling image Contest. 2nd in the National Wildlife Federation USA Annual photo competition (magazine feature in their December/January World print edition). Finalist in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014. Finalist in Shoot the Wild competition and will be published later this year in a high quality book containing faces, landscape and wildlife. I have 2 other images appearing in the book in the wildlife category and landscapes.
Culmination of a 3 month project tracking and photographing leopards in the quest to create an image that would capture their essence as elusive, secretive shadow hunters.Personally though my favourite image of the year because of the journey it has taken me on on the way to capturing it and for months after to perfect its nuances for fine art printing. It is at it's best in printed form. I intend to display it an exhibition in London this August 2nd to 10th using the dye transfer printing method along with 27 other images from my portfolio at the Mall Galleries. It will be made available in 3 forms of limited editions. Standard fine art archival / lambda print , LED backlit lightbox printed on special acrylic with dimmable lighting and finally I have it available in the finest print method known, a long forgotten process called dye transfer. All these processes will preserve the highly nuanced surprise shadow details of the leopards body and tail as it emerges from the darkness. Variable lighting on or behind the image can reveal or hide these details at the viewers discretion. Hopefully you can also see this effect to some extent by increasing and decreasing your monitors brightness/luiminance. This dominant male leopard known as Maxabeni had picked up the scent of an intruder on his territory and was actively stalking him. Initially a frantic sighting where we lost him several times, I persisted in trying to get a shot that would convey the essence of this elusive and secretive big cat. I experimented with several different ideas on numerous sightings, this image could only work if captured at precisely the right moment. Previous experience had led me to decide on making some key in camera decisions just before this moment and I knew if he was to be moving given that I wanted a fine art print from this at the end, I had to capture him only just moving. As he stepped forward into the light shaft that was the moment.
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Culmination of a 3 month project tracking and photographing leopards in the quest to create an image that would capture their essence as elusive, secretive shadow hunters.Personally though my favourite image of the year because of the journey it has taken me on on the way to capturing it and for months after to perfect its nuances for fine art printing. It is at it's best in printed form. I intend to display it an exhibition in London this August 2nd to 10th using the dye transfer printing method along with 27 other images from my portfolio at the Mall Galleries. It will be made available in 3 forms of limited editions. Standard fine art archival / lambda print , LED backlit lightbox printed on special acrylic with dimmable lighting and finally I have it available in the finest print method known, a long forgotten process called dye transfer. All these processes will preserve the highly nuanced surprise shadow details of the leopards body and tail as it emerges from the darkness. Variable lighting on or behind the image can reveal or hide these details at the viewers discretion. Hopefully you can also see this effect to some extent by increasing and decreasing your monitors brightness/luiminance. This dominant male leopard known as Maxabeni had picked up the scent of an intruder on his territory and was actively stalking him. Initially a frantic sighting where we lost him several times, I persisted in trying to get a shot that would convey the essence of this elusive and secretive big cat. I experimented with several different ideas on numerous sightings, this image could only work if captured at precisely the right moment. Previous experience had led me to decide on making some key in camera decisions just before this moment and I knew if he was to be moving given that I wanted a fine art print from this at the end, I had to capture him only just moving. As he stepped forward into the light shaft that was the moment.
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Nov, 2014Views
4933
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Call Of The Wild Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in Big Cats Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 6 Photo Contest
Peer Award
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
truetolifephotography
December 16, 2014
Thanks for the feedback. A lot of work to get it looking consistent across both screen and print mediums due to the highly nuanced tail details. I have more in depth commentary and info about it on another submission of the same image in my gallery. Take a look if you're interested to learn more about it. Best Joe.
PRO+
LucyLoo
January 16, 2015
How truly magnificent :-D Love the light play and most beautiful comp. Marvellous atmosphere. Congratulations :-D
truetolifephotography
January 16, 2015
Hi Thanks a moment where I felt all the necessary elements came together. Another submission of this image is here in my portfolio with a behind the lens interview containing more details about the story behind this image if you're interested to know more. I have a new exciting wildlife project this year that is already in preparation. It will interest anyone who is interested in wildlife and conservation of natural habitat like rain forests. People will be able to foliow the progress from the field as the project takes shape and the end product is hopefully going to be well worth it and something I want people to get immersed in.
Platinum
Platinum
texaaronpueschel
March 12, 2015
This one gets it!! The mood is so dramatic. This is entry is a winner.
truetolifephotography
April 20, 2015
Hi thanks for the vote and feedback on how it makes you feel. Really appreciated
PRO+
Platinum
PRO
Pamelabole
March 10, 2017
Wow....amazing capture!!! Wonderful composition and use of light and shadows!!! Congrats on your finalist award!! : )
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