Family Tree

All I can say is that this is really a pleasant image. It just makes my insides feel soothing.

Brilliant capture !! The fact that you got eye contact with all of them is a huge plus ......

Hey James,

Wow - that's eye contact! I guess some could knock this based on background sky and/or lighting, but I think that would be totally missing the point. Between the eye-catching lines of the huge limbs and the great positioning of the cats this one really works for me. Well done!

It's almost impossible to give detailed feedback on post-processing here, but I dare say that you don't need to bracket shots at all with a camera like the 1DX and over a comparatively narrow contrast range like this. Instead, you can make all adjustments in your raw converter from a single raw capture (meaning creating exposure variants and output THOSE for compositing/blending). I haven't worked off multiple bracketed captures in years and regularly vary exposure (and blend shots) from a single capture by a total of up to 1.5 stops with little problem. I've worked with enough 1DX files to know that they're clean enough to do this with easily (they're very "malleable" files). The key to doing this is being good with the blending - meaning being good at masking...including using luminosity masking techniques, gradient masking, etc. The beauty of this "blending multiple raw exposure variants from a single capture" approach for wildlife is that subject movement or any other "between-exposure" changes in the scene (including bumping or slightly moving the camera) is not a concern - ever. This approach does mean that you have to expose for processing (not for good "in-camera" results), but that's something that will come naturally over time (and exactly how you do that varies from camera to camera, based on file malleability).

Cheers....love this shot big time!

Brad

James,
These were certainly very co-operative did you have Buffalo behind you
Light was not on your side but the poses more than make up for that

wonderful Jim.
you've been getting some awesome lion sightings. Eye contact from all 5 of them too.

Michael, Mario, thanks for the generous comments - lions in trees always make me smile.

Brad, I certainly appreciate your thoughtful critique. I knew that I was not processing this the best way possible - but I guess I took the easy road. I do considerable single file masking when needed to adjust dynamic range... when it's not too complicated (I run out of PP skill sooner than I wish) I'll put this back on the re-edit file (which is huge) and give it my best shot down the road. Thanks again!

Thanks Ken,.....no baiting with buffs going on here, frisky's kibble either...I just beg for attention

Jim

It's a visual treat. Well done James.

Excellent shot, wonderful poses and eye contact from all lions is a real treat. The larger image was a pleasure to view, well done.

Lovely sighting and well captured Jim.
I'm wondering if a bit more shadow and midtone contrast would improve the presentation here - it feels too "lightened"?

This grouping makes for a wonderful composition. I think it is worthy of a large print.