Another Cougar Shot

[tsipma]

I really like this shot, but the question here is: is the foreground leaves too distracting? I like that I am looking at the predator through some cover, but I guess some would find it distracting. Thoughts?

 

[naptime]

i like it too. but sadly, yes, those front leaves are very distracting

i feel like he's in the army.

 

[blackrose89]

For this to work IMO it woud need a lot more leaves and only his eyes visible, but that's just me!

 

[tsipma]

In her element, wouldn't you expect to see her behind some foliage?

 

[ToMaNyToYsJf]

Yes def takes away from picture. Was this out on the wild? Or a place u can easily reshoot the pic?

 

[tsipma]

I like that idea, rose.

 

[tsipma]

Yes def takes away from picture. Was this out on the wild? Or a place u can easily reshoot the pic?

It was at a zoo, actually. One that is 600+ miles away from me now....I would love to find an opportunity to get this in the wild!

 

[naptime]

i get close enough to a cougar for a shot like that....

and i can assure you, i will be reaching for my running shoes, not my camera

 

[tsipma]

i get close enough to a cougar for a shot like that....

and i can assure you, i will be reaching for my running shoes, not my camera

To be honest, I used to dream of shooting animals with a shotgun or bow and arrow, but now I look forward to opportunities to shoot with my canon!

 

[blackrose89]

In her element, wouldn't you expect to see her behind some foliage?

This is how I felt when I got started. A lot of photography is not about just representing reality, alot of it is about creating a compositional image and having to work with and AROUND what's in front of you. Just because it technically exists, doesn't mean it will translate well.

 

[LightSpeed]

For this to work IMO it woud need a lot more leaves and only his eyes visible, but that's just me!

Of course he can control that because the cougar is going to comply.
Now here is what would have made this work.
If the OP had walked straight up to the cougar, introduced himself, and then asked the cougar if he would mind posing for a few shots.

And of course there is the other approach.
Take what you can get on a wild animal. Kinda looks like that's what happened. Zoo or not.
It works for me.

 

[naptime]

In her element, wouldn't you expect to see her behind some foliage?

good point... it does make me feel like it's in it's natural element.

though, TO ME, the leaves are a bit distracting.. maybe it's the focus?

i like it though

better than the big cat i'll be posting shortly

 

[tsipma]

For this to work IMO it woud need a lot more leaves and only his eyes visible, but that's just me!

Of course he can control that because the cougar is going to comply.
Now here is what would have made this work.
If the OP had walked straight up to the cougar, introduced himself, and then asked the cougar if he would mind posing for a few shots.

And of course there is the other approach.
Take what you can get on a wild animal. Kinda looks like that's what happened. Zoo or not.
It works for me.

I think you both have great points. Light, you share my vision of wildlife. Rose, you can see what I am trying to show and suggest a great way to get it across. Given the right equipment and enough time, I might have been able to get that shot you describe given it was in the zoo. Given what I had available to me (I was getting as many shots as I could while trying to keep a three-year-old entertained...) I like it, but will take all feedback into consideration. The problem with waiting on wildlife is that it doesn't take direction very well....

 

[blackrose89]

For this to work IMO it woud need a lot more leaves and only his eyes visible, but that's just me!

Of course he can control that because the cougar is going to comply.
Now here is what would have made this work.
If the OP had walked straight up to the cougar, introduced himself, and then asked the cougar if he would mind posing for a few shots.

And of course there is the other approach.
Take what you can get on a wild animal. Kinda looks like that's what happened. Zoo or not.
It works for me.

I said it WOULD need, not the he had this available to him and I also stated it was solely my opinion.

 

[tsipma]

In her element, wouldn't you expect to see her behind some foliage?

good point... it does make me feel like it's in it's natural element.

though, TO ME, the leaves are a bit distracting.. maybe it's the focus?

i like it though

better than the big cat i'll be posting shortly

How can I get the leaves to remain, but with them more out of focus so they aren't as distracting? I assume changing my DOF? Deeper? Shallower? (my guess is shallower)