breck Loc: Derbyshire UK

Photo taken on safari in Namibia, honest critique please

Leopard and cub

(Download)

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Interesting effect with the cub's tail - almost looks like a starburst effect from a Topaz filter.

While it's almost there, however, the whole photo seems slightly out of focus .... no real sharpness, either in the eyes of the mother leopard, or the cub's. I see you were shooting at f/3.5, which tends to give a fairly narrow DOF - better had you gone up to f/5.6 or higher, even if it means you'd have to boost your ISO somewhat to get the exposure. Luckily, you're shooting with a NIKON, the brand of camera known for its ability to check noise, even at higher ISOs. Hopefully, a bit of sharpening in PP will resolve this somewhat.

rebride

Wow, what a wonderful image.
The D800 produces great images. Like Bob Yankle says stop down for DOF and up ISO. You have a a heck of a camera in your hands.
Edit this and crop. Shade vs sunlight. Difficult for exposure.
My edit is just mid-tone adjustment and crop.

(Download)

breck Loc: Derbyshire UK

Thank you gentlemen for your critiques, very useful although I do not think a smaller F stop would have helped I do not think its DOF reducing sharpness I think it was camera shake, 200mm lens even at !/1250s using a monopod in a car with the engine running was the problem. Photo is a tad soft all over unfortunately.
Driver wouldn't turn off the engine as we were down in a dry river bed and he did not want to stop in case he got stuck!
Plus it was already cropped rather heavily.
Mid tones adjustment has certainly helped, your help was very helpful and will be put to good use in future
Thank you both

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

O.K. First of all, whats wrong with the picture: the main subject is too dark; the secondary subject is out of focus (not motion blur - out of focus); the main subject is lacking in contrast. Now the reasons: the main subject is too dark because you used matrix metering and the overall exposure was affected by the bright spots in the image; the secondary subject is out of focus because you used an aperture of f3.5 resulting in a depth of field which was too shallow to include both animals; the main subject is lacking in contrast because of the underexposure. Comment: I have the same camera and I can assure you that it will take excellent pictures at ISO 1600 and very adequate ones at ISO 3200. You have explained the reason for the high shutter speed which under normal circumstances is much faster than 200mm requires when the subject is stationary. When you take grab shots under difficult circumstances you cannot expect to get masterpieces of nature photography. Its difficult enough when you have control of all the factors. I hope you enjoyed your trip to Africa and that you return for another safari when you are more in control. With all its flaws, this image will be a treasure and a reminder of your trip.