El Sleepy La Tigeress

[ChowChi-Ching]

I was one of a lucky few who was able to get this tiger awake on the day that we were there. It was over 100 degrees and most of the animals were sleeping all the time..... After waiting we got this guy in between naps. Because it was such a quick shot, I had to use the lens that I had on, my 70-300 extended all the way, hand held! For some reason, fate was with me and let me get this shot without my hands moving too much! LOL Any critique is welcomed!!

[GB1]

Nice capture. He doesn't seem to esp like you staring at him with your camera (ha ha)..He's a little dark in the photo - perhaps you can pull him out better by adjusting the contrast or levels. I would up the saturation levels a bit too to try to inject a little more color.

GB

[ChowChi-Ching]

Thanks, I will try that. He was in a cave type structure and there is a canopy of trees, add that with horrible mid day sun and that is what you get! LOL But I will play with it and see if I can make it pop more....

He does look like he isn't to happy with me, doesn't he? LOL

[mpreslar]

Great grab shot! Here are my suggestions for improving the shot:
1. Crop out as much of the bright foliage at the top as possible. I would go just above the ears and down the right side of the face leaving the forground tree trunk to frame the face.
2. Burn anything that is too bright. I'd try the burn tool, with a fairly large pixel size (~300 - 800) feathered, at about 70% exposure. I have found that you need to burn ALL of the foliage from the same plant, even if it is not in the sun, or it looks funky.
3. Either dodge or selectively lighten the face and possibly body of the tiger, but don't over-do it. If dodging use below 40% to start and up it if needed. You may want to do more dodge just on the eyes to give them a "glow".
4. Up the saturation as suggested by GB.

I took some shots at a zoo in Michigan City Indiana last week. I'll have to post some here when I get them processed (along with the other 4 gig of pictures from our vacation! )

[ChowChi-Ching]

Thanks! I took almost 4 gigs too, all shot in NEF! At some point, I will get around to looking at all of them.

[Coastal Flyer]

Very nice job under what appears to be difficult conditions. Can't add anything to what has already been said but to say it is a nice shot.

CF