French wildlife photographer Rémi Vacher has achieved a remarkable feat by capturing an intimate portrait of one of Africa's most elusive predators during a safari expedition to Kruger National Park in South Africa. The stunning image, titled "Serene focus at dawn," showcases a leopard in a calm, relaxed state and was photographed using a Canon EOS R7 APS-C camera paired with the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS lens.
Vacher, who has explored 75 different countries throughout his photography career, faced significant challenges while pursuing this particular shot. "We were aware of a leopard that had been seen a few hours before, but the grass was quite high, so it was challenging to find," he explained. The photographer and his guide spent an entire hour searching the area before locating the elusive big cat.
Once they discovered the leopard, the real test of patience began. Vacher worked closely with his safari guide to position their vehicle at the optimal angle for the shot. They then waited for another hour, maintaining their position until the leopard moved into the perfect alignment for a side profile portrait. "Being close to a leopard doesn't happen often because they are elusive and spend most of their time in trees, so this was a perfect opportunity to get a portrait of a leopard," Vacher noted.
The technical execution of the photograph required careful consideration of the challenging conditions. Shot during the early morning hours at dawn, Vacher captured the image at 1/2000 second, f/6.3, and ISO 6400. The high ISO setting was necessary to compensate for the low light conditions while maintaining the sharp focus that makes the image so compelling. "Another challenge was that it was dawn, so I had to bring up the ISO quite high to get enough light while keeping the picture sharp," he explained.
For stability and precision, Vacher supported his camera setup on a bean bag from within the safari vehicle. This technique is commonly used by wildlife photographers to minimize camera shake while maintaining flexibility for composition adjustments. The photographer's goal was clear: "My goal was to get the image as sharp as possible so the viewer almost feels they are lying down in the grass with the leopard."
The Canon EOS R7, Canon's flagship APS-C mirrorless camera, proved to be an ideal choice for this wildlife encounter. The camera combines a 32.5-megapixel sensor with Canon's advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II autofocus system, capable of delivering up to 30 frames per second continuous shooting. The APS-C format's 1.6x crop factor provided additional reach, effectively extending the 100-500mm lens to an equivalent 160-800mm range, allowing Vacher to maintain a respectful distance from the leopard.
The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS lens, part of Canon's premium L-series lineup, offered the flexibility and image quality essential for wildlife photography. Its five-stop image stabilization system and weather-sealed construction made it particularly well-suited for the demanding safari conditions. The zoom capability allowed Vacher to adjust his composition without disturbing the animal, a crucial factor in capturing natural wildlife behavior.
Positioning played a crucial role in the success of the photograph. "When shooting from a safari vehicle, as Rémi was, the difficulty is that you are often forced to shoot from a higher point of view, which limits the range of perspectives," wildlife photography experts note. However, Vacher and his guide managed to position their vehicle at a lower level than the leopard, creating the ideal angle for the portrait and demonstrating the importance of composition in wildlife photography.
The leopard's remarkably calm demeanor throughout the session was particularly noteworthy. "This one was so relaxed and didn't seem bothered by our presence," Vacher observed. This peaceful interaction between photographer and subject resulted in the serene, almost meditative quality that defines the final image. The leopard's focused gaze and relaxed posture create an intimate connection with viewers, making them feel as though they are sharing this quiet moment in the African wilderness.
Vacher's achievement highlights the importance of patience, preparation, and technical expertise in wildlife photography. The combination of waiting for the right moment, using appropriate camera settings for challenging lighting conditions, and employing professional-grade equipment all contributed to the success of this remarkable photograph. The image stands as a testament to the photographer's dedication and skill, as well as the incredible beauty and majesty of Africa's wildlife.
