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Another Chance


Another Chance
Photo Information
Copyright: Adrian Hutton (aido) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1097 W: 168 N: 1221] (4048)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-22
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D2X, Sigma EX 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO HSM DG, DxRAW ISO 250
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): the vanderschelden 10 : division I, Wild cats portraits [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-09-10 9:51
Viewed: 1971
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 78
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) taken at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Kent, part of a European-wide breeding programme dedicated to the generation and reintroduction to the wild of pure bloodlines in big cat species to combat the interbreeding brought about by massive population reduction.

From a report by the ZSL, January 2005:

The Zoological Society of London, ZSL, today expressed its disbelief and concern at the decision by the Russian Government to allow an oil pipeline to be built through the Kedrovya Pad nature reserve, home to the last 30 remaining wild Amur Leopards.

ZSL learnt about the decision following a recent meeting between the Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko and Japanese Foreign Minister. The pipeline is intended to transport oil from fields in central Siberia to the Japanese Sea.

It will run through the border zone of Kedrovya Pad, a protected area that was recently declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in order to reach a terminal and oil refinery to be built at Bukhta Perevoznaya, at present a pristine stretch of coast. The pressure on these fragile ecosystems will be catastrophic, and we fear this will be the final death warrant for the rarest cat on earth.

Ironically, recent monitoring results show that the Amur leopard population had begun to recover, thanks to the efforts of conservation NGOs, including ZSL, which have invested more than 1.5 million pounds in Amur leopard conservation in the past 10 years.

Sarah Christie, Conservation Programme Manager at ZSL and European Coordinator for the Amur leopard breeding programme: "It will be a global catastrophe if the Amur leopard becomes the next big cat to go extinct and that seems highly likely with the proposed route of this pipeline.

In an age where the environment is increasingly of concern to us all I am sure that Russia will take the lead in the G8 to raise environmental protection high up the agenda, and by changing the route of this pipeline, this will be a significant demonstration of that commitment."

More information on that can be found here.

After more than a year of campaigning, lobbying and petitioning by many organisations from all over the world, on Monday February 6th 2006 the Russian Government announced that the pipeline would be diverted away from the Amur Leopard’s territory and the site for the oil terminal would be relocated.

Irrefutable proof that people can make a difference. Perhaps not in every case but it’s got to be worth trying, right?

Full frame, no crop (should have zoomed out, it’s too tight IMO); sharpened and resized.
elefantino, marhowie, timonejoon, dew77, horia, Hil, Signal-Womb, claudine, wkshelton, scottevers7, valy67, coasties, SkyF, thor68, RAP, CTP, Alex99, loot, vhemmati, vanderschelden, wideload, anavazao, PDP, thistle has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To arfer: Hi Robaido 1 09-11 07:03
To marhowie: Thanks Howardaido 3 09-10 14:56
To horia: Hi Horiaaido 1 09-10 14:48
To timonejoon: Hi Babakaido 1 09-10 11:17
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Critiques [Translate]

Great portrait of this rare cat.
Deatils of the mouth are amazing!
light on the eye super.
Good info notes.

Andrae

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2006-09-10 10:19]

Hi Adrian,
Beautiful shot with excellent colors, sharpness, light and pose. Good note and encouraging news.
TFS, José M.

Hi Adrian..
I tried. I looked hard and..well..I can't find anyhting to nit-pick dammit! ;)
Perhaps one of the best profile portraits of this animal I've seen.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • ele Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 97 W: 17 N: 15] (382)
  • [2006-09-10 10:43]

complimenti per lo scatto ma la foto sà molto da zoo,complimenti sopprattutto per la nitidezza
eleonora

  • Great 
  • mbasil Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 339 W: 146 N: 689] (2993)
  • [2006-09-10 10:47]

Great close up. All the technical stuff is perfect (lighting, compostition, focus, DoF...). Especially nice is the expression you waited for here. I like the tight crop that really demonstrates that.
Mike

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2378 W: 164 N: 7139] (22556)
  • [2006-09-10 10:52]

Superb portrait of this beautiful beast! The details are quite amazing! Very nicely cropped. (Horrific thought that their fur used to be used for ladies' coats and as fireside rugs!!)
Thanks and regards, Ulla

Hi Adrian

I like his pose. nice composition as well. I never know that sigma lens can be sharp. very nice shot. perfect. wow. look at his teeth. very nice control of light.
well done

TFS
BR
timon

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2167 W: 124 N: 2567] (8208)
  • [2006-09-10 14:05]

very good one Adrian,
a fantastic shot, good capture, nice point of view,very good composition. exelent job.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2006-09-10 14:11]

Hello Adrian,
Excellent portrait.I liked clear details,expression on face,sharpness and composition a lot.I think framing is a little tight and would be better if you give up more place at upper and bottom part:)Nevertheless great work!
TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 870 W: 2 N: 606] (2034)
  • [2006-09-10 14:18]

SOOOO ,Great portret from the Lion , fantastic sharpnes colours details , A Beauty shot ,Greetings Teunie .

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 741 W: 11 N: 1382] (4763)
  • [2006-09-10 14:28]

Hi Adrian,

Superb portrait shot, the composition is excellent with the tight crop and I really like the your POV. As always the detail is nice and crisp, the mouth is especially good (Nice Teeth). The colours are very natural and just perfect.

TFS Hilary :)

Perfect picture

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 0 N: 90] (7659)
  • [2006-09-10 15:31]

Hi Adrian
Great shot again. Great colours, light, sharpnes, details DOF and POV. Also good note and BG.
Well done my friend

osse

Hi Adrian,Perfect portrait shot!Congratulations...TFS.Hilmi

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3414 W: 144 N: 5803] (17197)
  • [2006-09-10 16:44]

It may be tight Adrian, but you show him very close and personal. So wobderful to be able to see all his white whiskers and even his rough tongue. Amazing shot, thank you,
Janice

Hello Adrian, well what can I add other than Magnificent, I would have to agree with Howard on this. One of the best profile portraits Iv seen. Top Shot!

Hi Adrian,
Great work with sigma...! This lens in your hands makes wonderfuls...!!!! Although I to be doubtful how much to zoom of it, in the truth I start to be relieved to its enchantments. Seems to me that you like very much of this lens!? Well, it's a excellent shot, and... blá, blá ,blá... what can I say... you know!

My best regards,
João

Hello Adrean,

the clearty of this crisp [hoto is really amazing, Nicle composed and capture, excellent POV and colors, well Done

TFS Kyle

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11868)
  • [2006-09-10 22:31]

Superbe présentation d'une grande qualité.
Merci Adrian!
joseph

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-09-10 23:42]
  • [+]

Hello Adrian

I have heard that big cats often strike this pose when trying to smell something in the air.It's like they are almost trying to taste it.What a wonderful capture,with excellent DOF and sharpness.The colours are so natural.The POV is amazing,like you are right beside it.Beautifully composed and framed.TFS

Rob

Hi Adrian,
That is a superb shot. The colors and detail are just amazing.
How many of these great shots do you have stored on your hard drive? WOW! WOW! WOW!
Scott

Hi Adrian,

This is a cat, wow! Details are amazing and, what to say about the Leopard's expression? Very interesting notes too; this proves in fact that the voices of few people can make a difference. Well done!
(I wish I could try this lens :-) Regards,
claudine

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2047 W: 212 N: 3658] (12174)
  • [2006-09-11 6:10]
  • [+]

Another super portrait of a big cat from you, Adrian :)
And again, a true delight for the eye. I really don't know how you manage this, but you always manage to get them in a very interesting and great pose...hmmm...what do you bribe them with? :))
Technicaly it's a splendid shot! Nothing more to say.
BTW...i quite like the thight close-up..leaves no room for any distractions :)

Cheers
Horia

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1318 W: 52 N: 1782] (5276)
  • [2006-09-11 15:43]

Hello Adrian !
Another wonderful portrait from you ! I really love all of your 'big cats', and the expression of this one is splendid ! Your timing was perfect ! :-) The detailson the mouth and teeth are outstanding. Colors, composition, POV, DOF, everything is excellent. Very interesting note. Very well done !
Valérie.

Hi Adrian

Wow... what a magnificent head shot. Perfcet timing. Love the pink tongue... and wow.... those teeth! Excellent quality work. :-)

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2006-09-12 13:06]

Hello Adrian,
This cat has something to smile about, the diversion of the pipeline is great news for this rare animal. This is a great portrait, the pose and the details are amazing.one slight move and the head is out of my monitor ;-). Beautiful portrait.
Sky

  • Great 
  • thor68 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 714 W: 114 N: 1032] (4577)
  • [2006-09-12 18:19]

sorry, adrian, nothing to critique here - perfect portrait
of the beautiful big cat! :-)
even the tight crop is superb with this amazing pose.
where´s the man infront holding the fresh meat?
i like howard´s teeth-job, superwhite. *g*
terrific job & best wishes, thorsten.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2006-09-15 7:42]

Impresionante primer plano amigo mío con gran POV y expresividad.
Los detalles del pelaje, los bigotes y sobre todo su mirada son impactantes.
Perfecto DOF con un trasfondo muy bien logrado y atinado encuadre.
Mis mejores saludos... Ricardo

Impressive close up my friend with great POV and expressiveness.
The details of the coat, the mustaches and mainly their glance they are impacting.
Perfect DOF with a background very well achieved and accurate frame.
Best regards... Ricardo

  • Great 
  • CTP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 774 W: 6 N: 1107] (3183)
  • [2006-09-17 12:43]

Hi Adrian,
Excellent Amur Leopard close-up my friend.
I like your pov,dof,focus,sharpness,blurred bg,frame,note and overall composition.Well Done.
Chris

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2991 W: 148 N: 4435] (14369)
  • [2006-09-18 10:52]

Hi Adrian.
This portrait is amazing. You managed to reproduce the emotions of the animal excellently. Lighting, colours of the leopard and BG are perfect. Other components of this shot are excellent too.

When I have looked the workshop I have understood, that Marhowie does not remain without work as the dentist (and as a photographer too) :)).

TFS and my best regards,
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5695 W: 603 N: 3357] (8939)
  • [2006-09-18 18:14]

Hi Adrian
The other day I was watching a program that dealt with the breeding of Amur leopards on the 'Animal Planet'. An interesting snippet of information revealed that size by size these Amur leopards have the longest incisors or all felines. It is believed that they are the closest relative of the Sabre toothed cats that once roamed the earth.
About your photo, I can only agree with Howard, but I would not use the word 'perhaps'. I would rephrase to say "Definitely the best profile portrait of this animal I've seen".
Brilliantly sharp details and superb exposure control has rendered this a perfect shot.
Well done my friend and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Great news your notes provided with the outcome of the planned pipeline.

Hi Adrian,

A very nice moment to capture wi awesome details and great light control. What a impressive shot

TFS

-V

Hi Adrian,
Wonderful photo. Technically outstanding. Concerning your doubts about being tight, I should say if you zoom out you will not have the focus -in the sense of attention- on the action going on which is superb, IMO.
TFS
Annick

Hi Adrian,
I agree with you that it is a little tight in the composition, but I think in this case it works well to show off the detail of this beautiful big cat. I have just returned from my 5th visit to the WHF, love the place and what it is striving to achieve.

Kind Regards
Terry.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1654 W: 79 N: 1456] (4742)
  • [2006-10-04 6:59]

This is such a beautiful portrait. Pose, sharpness, colors, exposure, composition; it's all perfect. Wonderful stuff. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Hi friend .... great macro shot!
what an excellent use of light perfect POV DOF, excellent colors, details, very crisp!
Take care Ana:)

  •      
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11751)
  • [2006-10-14 13:19]

Hello Adrian, terrific snarl! Everything is very nice about it. If I had to suggest anythign it would be that I'd like to see a little more of it's eye, this is a very minor nit! Congratulations.

Hi Adrian,

I'm pleased to find another masterpiece from you! The picture is technically perfect. Even the details in the mouth are visible! The composition is also great. The colors look very natural. I like the yellow color of the teeth and the moisture in the gums. Outstanding work! Thanks!

Regards,
Eddie

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 601 W: 11 N: 599] (3161)
  • [2006-11-19 8:39]

Wow cool capture!!!Details are sharp..

Hi Adrian,

WoW what a shot
Superb sharpness, details(especially its teeth), timing, colours, POV and DOF

TFS Thijs

Hello Adrian,
As everyone already wrote :-) the picture is superb! Love the moment captured. POV and framing works great (I don't think it's too tight). The colours are very natural and the details perfect.
Excellent job!

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