Julian Asher

Camera: Canon 7D Mk II

Lens: EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM (145 mm)

Aperture: f/7.1

Shutter speed: 1/1250

ISO: 800

Description: A young cheetah runs hot on his brother’s heels as they chase each other along the bottom of a ravine in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Maasai Mara, Kenya.

Story from behind the lens: I spent nearly two hours with these young cheetahs as they followed their mother through the conservancy - every tree, rock, and naturally this ravine became an instant obstacle course-cum-jungle gym. Capturing them as they sprinted up, through and around the ravine was challenging due to their speed and their ability to pivot on a dime. I wanted to capture the sense of joy in motion embodied by the young cheetahs – their sheer delight in literally stretching themselves. Fortunately I was with Patrick Koriata, one of the Mara’s top guides – when I saw the monochrome potential in the contrast between their pale gold coats and the dark soil of the ravine’s floor, Patrick positioned our vehicle at one end of the ravine where I waited for them to run towards us.