Previsualisation versus reality

     If you were to ask me anytime over the last 20 or so years, what would be my ideal photographic safari moment? I would have described my utopian moment of a leopard walking towards the camera, perfectly lit by early/late light and making eye contact. I could obviously add to this: a lush green savanna backdrop and maybe a cub playfully alongside. Previsualisation - the grown-up word for fantasising! Imagine my complete astonishment when it only went and happened....almost.

Leopard 👍

Light 👍

Eye contact 👍

Green backdrop 👍

Surely I couldn't screw this up? 


Not the best reference photo for drawing either but a unique moment nonetheless, except that's not what I previsualised! 

So why didn't I drop the iso further as the light was so good? What didn't I change the aperture to give a greater depth of field? 

I was so excited that I just wanted to watch.

Now I endeavour to always have my camera setting poised for the ideal encounter given the conditions, now I just need to save up for another trip!


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