Cheetah shot was horrible -- and fabulous

The Travel section -- and the safari guide who encouraged the woman to pose with a cheetah [“Leap of faith in Kenya,” Best Shot, Sept. 5] -- should have their heads examined. The cats one sees on safari aren’t pets or theme park animatronics; they’re real-life carnivores with real-life teeth and are dangerous.

The guide would have lost his license if the park wardens had seen this. And worse, the woman could have lost her head. Please, Los Angeles Times, no more showcasing of photographs that reward irresponsible behavior.

Bruce Miller

Sherman Oaks

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I always look forward to your section and My Best Shot, and your photo of the cheetah and the tourist was fabulous.

In response to “ ‘Best Shot’ Has Seen Better Days [Letters, Sept. 5]: I find it disheartening that a citizen of the world’s richest country objects to merely seeing the unpleasant realities that are commonplace in the rest of the world.

A photographer is an artist, and what that artist depicts is a successful use of his or her medium if the image is provoking, beautiful or controversial. The photo [“In Panama, a Paddle-Up Greeting,” Best Shot, Aug. 29] accomplished all three.

Rather than living in a sheltered world where these unpleasant realities supposedly do not belong, perhaps the writer should work to advance the plight of the Panamanian people.

Bonnie MacLeod

Hermosa Beach