Tiger pic

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rob Bixby on July 9, 2009 at 4:01pm

Nice shot, but I have two suggestions. First, focus point, when shooting people or animals of any type, the eyes must be the sharpest point in the image. If they eyes are off, it doesn't matter at all about the rest of the image. Second, leave more space in front of the animal. Give them somewhere to go. If you have them too close to the edge, it feels like they are trapped. One of the things we try to do is to give the feel that they are free.

Permalink Reply by Charles Hildebrandt on July 9, 2009 at 4:18pm

Thanks for the input. I never knew to leave space in front of the animal.

Chuck

Permalink Reply by nathan mccreery on July 9, 2009 at 5:51pm

You actually can give the eyes the feeling of sharpness by adding a catchlight, in the appropriate place, and the right size. It may take some experimenting to come up with some that look natural. My next step would be to "soften" the background an appropriate amount. As the photograph now stands it is competing for attention w/ the cat, which is magnificent. Don't get too involved with always leaving space in the front of an animal like this. While I do think the photograph would benefit from having space in front of the cat that is not a universal thing. There may be an instance when the photograph would benefit by having a close crop in that position. The big thing on composition is to fallow your instincts. While I do recognize that space in front of the cat would give the feeling of freedom this cat is clearly not free so is it wrong to give the feeling of freedom. Are the decisions made purely for aesthectics or is the intent that of being documentary? These are questions that come into play when we make compositional decisions.

Permalink Reply by Charles Hildebrandt on July 9, 2009 at 6:44pm

Thanks for the advice. I will try and soften the background and mess around with the eyes.
Thanks again.
Chuck

Permalink Reply by Rachel Michaels on July 10, 2009 at 2:24pm

I agree with Nathan about the highlight in the eyes (for animals as wells as people). I also agree that the background is destracting from the main focus which must the the cat. Having said that I think it is a good shot. BTW if you want to see in my opion some great photos of big cats etc see http://sooper-deviant.deviantart.com/art/Jaguar-Cub-8717P-128979549 - I hope this gives you further ideas. I look forward to seeing your next shot.

BTW the best way to load your photos for C&C is to not attach them but add them using the black camera into the discussion. Also a good size is where the longest side is 600 pix then they load up easily. Just a tip.

Permalink Reply by Charles Hildebrandt on July 10, 2009 at 3:28pm

Thanks.

Permalink Reply by shravangotru on July 15, 2009 at 4:14am

Dear Charles,

Nice shot. I agree with Rob, Nathan and Rachel in everything they have said. you are using a Canon sx110 which has a lensof 36-360mm (35mm equiv) f 2.8-4.3 which is very good. pl check the iso because your picture has noise. Keep the iso around 200 and never above 400. disable the digital zoom. IS is not necessary in your camera. the trick is keep the shutter speed as inverse of the focal length. ie., if you are using full optical zoom of 360mm then keep the shutter speed at 1/300 or 1/400. try to shoot at the eye level of the subject ie., your camera is at the same level as that of the subject, but then it is not a rule. Since subject was in captivity if you wait long enough then you would get the right shot.while shooting wildlife -- patience is the name of the game. Just Imagine the same shot with the Tiger looking straight into the lense

rgrds
gotru

Permalink Reply by Charles Hildebrandt on July 15, 2009 at 3:42pm

Thanks for the tips