Kitties big and small

Hello all. I have recently taken a lot of pictures of a cat which visits my backyard often; and this inspired me to revisit some big cat shots I took a while back (2009) with my old K10d (I miss that camera! - my first DSLR) and try some B/W conversions (I have been trying a lot of B/W recently...). I thought I would post a few here. All were taken with K10d + my battered old sigma 70-300 (except where detailed) and I was lucky enough to be in a position where I could take shots of the cats without bars or netting in the way

First up, a portrait of a young Bengal Tiger:




Sleeping Lion:




Exhausted Cheetah:




One for Shaun (??) - Puma on the brink...




Wet Tiger - this chap is not a Bengal, nor a Siberian, nor any other as he is a Hybrid...




Things are looking up for the Snow Leopard




Noble looking Amur Leopard




The Old-timer -A Siberian Tiger spots me. This was taken with a Sigma 120-400 lens (I haven't got that any more either!)




Lastly, here is the neighbourhood cat I mentioned at the start - taken through two layers of glass in my kitchen door with a Sigma 180mm lens. I reckon he looks like a rock singer




I hope you like them. There are more on my flickr photostream. Any C&C welcomed. Maybe I'll dig out the Siggie and try it on my K5. at about 100 - 200 mm it is impressively sharp even at (nearly) wide open. More likely I'll go back through some other old photos and try some new processing on them...

Cheers

Mat, these are great. They show the power of B&W to get to the essence of the image, to frame the fearful symmetry!

G

Some really excellent images in that set.

K.

These are impressive indeed Mat. I have a copy of the Sigma 70-300 lens and have not found it very impressive, but your shots with it are superb.

Regards
David

They don't half have impact!! Not the sort of subject I would have considered for a B&W treatment. Just goes to show some people have it.

VERY impressive shots, I would put any of these on my wall.

You've captured the majesty of these beautiful beasts, for sure!
& +1 for George's comment.

Roger.

A very good collection Matt. Very well processed and presented.

One reason I don't sell my camera equipment.

Best regards

If I didn't sell my camera equipment, I'd be swamped.

Trouble is, I keep buying back the items I really miss. So far, a Spotmatic, a Super A, a 75-150, and soon (probably) a *istD. And a 16-50.

G

Oh what a joy to behold.
Superb images especially "Sleeping Lion"
All of them are good, in fact much much better than good.
The image of the domestic cat is a true reminder of their predator
ancestry.
Of course Sigma lenses can't be anywhere near as good as marque lenses

I think the W word applies here. Snow leopard exceptional, sleeping lion even better.

Wonderful Mat. Stunning photos which have been superbly processed

Lovely set, excellent re-touching work.

Fantastic set, so much for the sigma lens not being that good!!!!

Well, I don't know. The colours seem rather muted.

G