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scalvert


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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: At the Zoo (Advanced Editing IV)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
Location: Beardsley Zoo- Bridgeport, CT
Date: Jul 15, 2005
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/1250
Galleries: Nature, Animals
Date Uploaded: Jul 15, 2005

I haven't had much time to shoot lately, so when I got off work early, I made a beeline for the local zoo, where three tiger cubs were born April 15th. I stayed outside their enclosure for a couple hours in humid, 90+ degree heat and took several hundred shots (they had fur coats on, so I can't really complain). This was taken handheld with a 1.4X teleconverter wide open to blur out the fence in the foreground.

Processing: Lots of it in small doses... Levels, curves to boost contrast, channel mixer for saturation, cloned out some uneven lighting beneath the tail and one spot above it, colorized the eyes a bit, dodged and burned all over (especially the eyes and arm, but the background was already pretty dark), saturation added to the fur and nose, and a touch of USM.

Post challenge notes - Woohoo! Thanks for the votes and comments! I do realize the subject matter gave me an unfair advantage. ;-)

I had several good captures, but this one made my entry decision easy (the entry was a no-brainer, but it took me 2 days to think of a title). I missed another one where a cub was dangling from mom's tail by his teeth. Next time I'll just glue my finger to the shutter button. For those observant individuals who mentioned the odd tail... you're right. The tail actually belongs to this cub's sibling just outside the frame (notice that the fur is going the wrong way). The two cubs were wrestling, and this one almost fell off the log (hence the expression). I couldn't clone out the tail due to the Major Elements clause, so I was just fortunate that it was in a believable spot. One other note... the cub looks wet because it was very hot and they were playing in the pool. If mom wasn't there I might have joined them.

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 198
Avg (all users): 7.5240
Avg (commenters): 8.7778
Avg (participants): 7.2845
Avg (non-participants): 7.7699
Views since voting: 32248
Views during voting: 511
Votes: 229
Comments: 114
Favorites: 134 (view)


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AuthorThread
11/09/2011 05:52:46 AM
awwww this is so so cute...and so so sad at the same time..this is how a person would look when she/he is terribly missing a loved one..i can really feel its pain.you captured this expression on the cute cub with such precision. great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
09/15/2010 12:04:09 PM
Iam travelling at the moment and looking at this pic made me miss my 7 month old son so much,... Absolutely Amazing and touching pic
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2007 05:15:15 PM
:*(
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/13/2006 02:10:20 PM
it made me smile now, too! thank you so much:) it wil stay in my favourites forever:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/28/2006 03:45:28 PM
it´s perfect, it makes me smile, thank you
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2006 04:41:30 PM
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....adorable!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/25/2006 07:40:08 AM
a wonderful piece of work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/20/2006 07:32:15 PM
Awesome little fella and photo ! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
02/28/2006 05:33:11 AM
cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/22/2005 10:45:11 PM
I love this shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/21/2005 05:10:05 PM
Reminds you that even the tallest tree has been a seed once. Or in this case kitten.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/30/2005 06:05:40 AM
Who is the nut that voted 2?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/29/2005 11:06:06 PM
A wonderful capture. Congratulations on a deserving blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/29/2005 05:43:30 PM
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/29/2005 04:24:01 PM
This is too precious :)
Congrats (yet again)!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/28/2005 12:32:03 PM
What a great expression. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/27/2005 06:19:17 PM
Very nice shot, Our local snow lepard turned out not to be pregnant or in a year I could have a shot :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/26/2005 05:17:50 PM
What a wonderful photo. It immediately sucked me in the second my DPC page was up. I love it, what talent you have.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/26/2005 01:28:46 PM
Congrats on the blue, well deserve. It is a great shot.
well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 06:05:32 PM
Awesome shot, I just keep coming back to it from the home page.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 04:52:01 PM
Several hundred shots??
And this is the best you could come up with?
(Just kidding obviously - jealously rears it's ugly head..)

Superb shot Shannon - very touching!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 02:42:25 PM
Congratulations! One of the two photos that got a 10 from me. Interesting they both turned out to be 1st and 2nd place finishers :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 02:38:46 PM
beautiful and very sad. Congrats on the well deserved 1st
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 01:29:07 PM
Congratulations!! Glad this shot got what it deserved :) It is too charming for words !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:52:48 PM
I knew it scalvert!
First shot on the page when I've opened the challenge for voting!
Knew this would ribbon!
Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:28:09 PM
Well done, lovely shot, well deserved 1st place!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 11:17:58 AM
Congrats! A well deserved 1st place! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 10:50:54 AM
Congrats on the blue! Super shot... can't help but say "awwwwww!"
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 10:27:36 AM
Excellent shot and the expression on the face says it all.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 09:31:53 AM
Great shot Scalvert...

As for the two, it was probably someone with a rival kitten shot and want to keep you down... ;)

You know I totally forgot about the Beardsley Zoo. I should go there....it's only like 20 minutes away. Do you know the hours?

- Jason "The Saj"

PS - I had scored this one a "9", just so you don't think I "two'd" ya!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 09:24:35 AM
someone thought there chances of winning would improve by giving all good shot 1s and 2s they probably ended up with a high 3
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 09:14:49 AM
Somebody gave this a TWO???? :-O
07/25/2005 09:10:53 AM
Congratulations! Wonderful capture, captivating picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 08:23:03 AM
Holy Man, this photo is FANTASTIC. Everything from the technical aspects right down to the expression. Most definately a well deserved ribbon. Congrats... this is just beautiful!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 08:20:41 AM
Hey hey Shannon!! Ribbon #10!! Congrats! Beatiful image! :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 08:19:47 AM
great job, shannon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 06:18:04 AM
Woohooo Shannon! well deserved!!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 05:39:09 AM
Congratulations! Nice to read your comments as well, makes this all the more special..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 04:09:47 AM
Just Georgous! What a beauty!
So natural and you really deserve a ribbon for this image So well taken
Congratulations
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 02:50:06 AM
Wonderful! Good job
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 02:22:49 AM
I knew this would be a winner! Well-deserved ribbon. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 01:04:27 AM
Congrats on the win!! The photo is fantastic!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:58:31 AM
one adorable photo! congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:54:59 AM
I would desaturate half the colors and then run several grungy effects on it! Hah, just kidding. If you did that you would end up with me on the second last page... :-)
Beautiful capture there Mr. Calvert.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:52:31 AM
Congratulations...well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:30:21 AM
How precious! Wonderful capture. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:24:31 AM
Congratulations Shannon! I knew this was the Blue the first time I saw it. Very hard to beat a shot like this!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:21:50 AM
What a cutie! Watch out Kavey this may cut into your little guys sales. Great job on this one Shannon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:15:08 AM
What?!?!? No multiple images? Lawdy me! Congrats on a well-deserved ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:14:35 AM
Congrat's Shannon! Great shot and cute cub.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:13:25 AM
Without a doubt, one of the best shots i have seen!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:12:58 AM
Shannon, Congrats on your Blue with this adorable shot!! Knew this would be at the top!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:10:05 AM
wow... adorable... CONGRATS on the blue...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:09:08 AM
Congrats!!! You are back!!! This is an amazing capture, full of emotion!!! Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:08:02 AM
Congrats!! The expression on his face just makes my heart break! Stunning capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:07:37 AM
And how about that! This was my pick. I gave it ten at first sight. Shannon you have simply outdone yourself here so complete that it will be a rough climb up to beat this effort. Of course, your talent knows no bounds so you may prove me wrong.

Congratulations on your blue. I have yet to see an image that has illicited so many tender emotions as this image. This is the emotive of the emotive family, though I must be careful because family here means mom, dad and kids and not categoties or bulbs. lol

You have brought to DPC one darn unforgettable image and I am happy to have the honor to have met the man behind this wonderful talent.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:07:21 AM
Cute shot Shannon, congrats...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:07:17 AM
great job Shannon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:06:00 AM
Thought so! It was my only 10. Big congrats Shannon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:05:24 AM
Cograts, Well deserved on a touchingly cute image and excellant shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:02:29 AM
Wow! Congratulations!!!! This is a beautiful picture. WOW!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:01:29 AM
Congrats, adorable and great pp work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:01:24 AM
Congrats! Well deserved ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:01:24 AM
Congratulations!!! I gave this a high score. Way to go.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:01:14 AM
i knew this would win!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:01:00 AM
Congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:01:00 AM
congrats, scalvert!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/25/2005 12:00:57 AM
Congrats Shannon! Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/24/2005 11:52:41 PM
So cute!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/24/2005 10:53:19 PM
Very touching picture...great lighting and the expression of the cub is riveting...nice work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/24/2005 10:12:14 PM
This is just wayyyy to cute!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/24/2005 05:36:28 PM
that is the cutest little tiger in the world, it looks so sad though. perfect capture of the emotion
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/24/2005 04:36:52 PM
This has a good shot at ribboning... unless voters mark it down for being cute. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/24/2005 04:10:11 PM
beautiful! I would hang this on the wall and smile every time I went by!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/24/2005 03:58:03 PM
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/24/2005 09:25:59 AM
ding...ding...ding!!! Tug the heart strings why don't you! Super..love the composition, the detail and the great texture constrasts. How sweet and pathetic it looks....GREAT!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/23/2005 10:31:24 PM
You captured an intimate momment i think. That one stands out. Good work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/23/2005 03:58:08 PM
Wow, the fact that one is at a zoo means there is initially a ton against you that you cannot change. I seem to think everything from the background to the focus is just as one would do it in their own studio. You have great eye for detail and emotion and the cub tells it all. Great capture with good balance and color. You have my vote.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/23/2005 06:35:38 AM
I like rhis shot it has terrfic eye contact 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/22/2005 01:37:05 PM
Awwwwwwwww, you might win on sentimentallity. Great photo. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/22/2005 08:05:42 AM
This is definitely the cutest shot of the challenge, a real poster-shot! I think everything about it is just perfect and I'm picking it as a Ribbon-winner. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/21/2005 08:13:54 PM
Another fantastic shot with such a cute subject :) 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/21/2005 05:34:16 PM
A capture of real emotion. Beautifully composed too. One of my favorites :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/20/2005 10:45:58 PM
Awww what a face. Great capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/20/2005 04:31:21 PM
So beautiful and so sad. Excellent composition, color, POV, focus. Have no choice but to give you a 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2005 10:57:00 PM
This one is so cute, he will certainly rank among the top 10. It's a little out of focus, which is a shame with such a great expression and composition. But I do like it a lot, anyway.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2005 04:55:40 PM
Bless his heart. What a scraggly, forlorn image. Thanks for presenting this to us.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2005 04:15:05 PM
Beautiful cub shot! This is a flawless photo. I hope it ribbons.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2005 02:59:27 PM
Everthing about this photo is great; the capture, the detail, the subect. lighting ,comp (did I miss any?) And its filled with emotion, A definite contender.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2005 02:21:10 PM
Well, you've definitely got me going awwww, and giving you an extra point for such a tender picture. Captured a great look. Only thing that's odd is the body seems to dissapear on the left?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2005 01:41:31 PM
This is one of my favorite shots from this challenge. The poor thing looks so pitiful! VERY cute and endearing photo. Great detail and colors too. The lighting is a little harsh, but only a minor complaint. Nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2005 07:40:50 AM
This is amazing! He looks like he just had a bath or took a swim. What a fantastic shot. One of my favorites, and that's saying a lot because I really love a lot of them! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/19/2005 12:12:07 AM
hits all the high points, touching, nice light, beautiful colors, excellent perspective...i love it. bump to 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 10:15:40 PM
He is terrified and all wet...:(...what happened to him?
Too cute...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 09:21:42 PM
OH MY GOSH, WHAT A CUTE BABY
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 09:09:20 PM
Cute cub, nice colors. A tight crop just on the face would have done wonders for me. 6.5 up to a 7.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 08:46:45 PM
Lovely expression - heart wrenching.
Focus on the eyes seems a little soft - it may just be the reflection. Good lighting. The only thing I don't care for - the striped part of the cub in the upper left corner. It looks just a bit odd - like he has no body or that a body and has a tail or leg sticking out. Not sure how to best explain. Otherwise, great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 08:43:04 PM
I love everything about this photograph. The colors. The facial expression. The hair that looks like it is drying. The 'hugging' of the tree/log. One of my favorites!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 08:37:37 PM
Very cute. Almost like it is dazed and not sure what happened, but now I am wet look.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 05:56:38 PM
oh this is so sweet, i could just take him home. wish i was voting it would get a 10 from me. so good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 05:46:14 PM
I just can't take my eyes off this one. Wow!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 04:29:27 PM
This little guy is the cutest! Nice composition and focus. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 02:44:12 PM
Aside from the fact that he is SO cute, this is also a really good shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 01:25:41 PM
And the winner is ... I hope you are !
It's a wonderful photo !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 01:15:38 PM
Ohhhhh! Soo CUTE! I'll take him home! Great expression in the eyes! Nicely composed!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 12:34:28 PM
very nice composition and capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 09:35:31 AM
All right! first vote on the first day ov voting, and my guess for 1st place!
This has such an impact! The lil' cub seems he's about to cry! Yet this is such a cute creature! I feel like taking it back to its home. It doesn't belong on a zoo!
Perfect shot. A sure ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 08:55:24 AM
amazing what emotion you captured in the little tiger's face. nice composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 08:05:42 AM
great lighting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 07:38:44 AM
Oh, this is nice and emotional capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 01:08:35 AM
moving :(
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 12:52:35 AM
This wins the awwww factor. What great detail. The colors are so natural and you couldn't have had better lighting. The texture of the wood is nice against his fur. Nice dark background really brings him out. Nice!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 12:22:20 AM
This little guy is radiating some common human feelings such as this day is done and over with, tomorrow I will shine. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/18/2005 12:21:40 AM
as cute as this little guy is, the image coveys a feeling of sadness....which, ofcourse is what the idea was, so well done. colors and contrast are all great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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