You talkin' to me??

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 12, 2011183 views6 comments

This male lion is one of the most beautiful specimens I have come across in my travels throughout Southern Africa. Unblemished by scars, a full flowing black mane so typical of the Kalahari lions, and a gaze that melts the marrow in your bones...(I do think battle scars tell a story of the lion's life, so by no means are 'scarred' lions un-photogenic

).

He was lying down close to a waterhole some time after sunrise and was roaring to make his territory known. Here he seemed to notice the lens I was sticking through my vehicle window. Love the expression here.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II + 1.4xTC @ 700mm
f8.0 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-640

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 12, 2011 at 4:15 PM

A very stately looking fellow. I like the spotlight effect on the head with the rest of the body in shadow. In a perfect situation the BG would have been in shade but its still a very sweet shot as is.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 14, 2011 at 8:55 AM

Hi Morkel,

While I've never thought of scarred-up lions as "non-photogenic", this unscathed fellow makes one very impressive subject. Very stately pose and bearing. As Robert pointed out, the lighting on the head is very appealing and I think he hit the nail absolutely on the head with his comment about the bright background - I think this already-strong image would be just fantastic if that background wasn't so bright (preferably fully in the shade). One very picky - and definitely subjective - thing: for my taste an extremely small shift of the lion to the right would enhance my appreciation of this image - those front legs make this image appear off-centre to the left (to me) and I think a completely centred appearance (which is what I assume you intended) would work slightly better.

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 14, 2011 at 11:40 AM

Stately lion image! I agree with Brad regarding the BG. Other than that, I like what you presented. Good detail, exposure and composition. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on December 14, 2011 at 3:03 PM

Unscarred lions are the ones to watch out for, because they're the real deal - they don't even have to fight, all the other males simply give up the moment they see him.

I agree that the light on the head is nice, as is the look with that one squinted eye. Not too crazy about the centered composition and the light in the background - if you could tone that down a bit it will make a big difference imo.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 14, 2011 at 6:51 PM

What a stately beast! Good capture. I wonder if you have lightened the shadow side a bit, which makes his left (on our right) side eye brightly arresting. I think it might be an enhancement if you likewise brightened just the orb of the other, squinting eye.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 18, 2011 at 2:50 PM

Thanks for the kind and honest feedback folks...

I have already toned down the BG quite a bit, and was afraid it might not look natural anymore if I overdid it. Will revisit the processing!

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments