King of The Night

Good grief, Mario! This is an extraordinary image. How do you offer any critique on such, when both the circumstances surrounding its creation and the result is so unique. I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to view this on my primary monitor, so I won't comment on anything regarding processing and expect that it is up to your usual high standards. The pose and comp are wonderful, and the lighting dramatic to say the least. I love the fade from grass detail to blackness, and the darkened bottom, whether created by the lighting or in post, certainly helps. Very, very cool.

This is very well executed. It's interesting how just a slight adjustment in the spotlight direction can make or break an image like this, but all the important stuff is well lit. It's a beautiful profile.

I wouldn't mind a sliver more at the bottom, to give the paws and lit grass a little more breathing room.

Max

An exceptional photo! It has an ennobling quality to it, which is very attractive (even if it isn't true ). I agree with Max re the bottom.

Love the spot lit effect on this low key pic.
I may tone down the grass blades, that are shining bright here.
Jagdeep Rajput

I think the single thing that makes this work is your capturing an excellent reflectivity to the eye!

Amazingly well done, Mario! Have you experimented with lighting from the left side, and also a little less intense light from behind the lion at the same time? I'd love to see something like that.

Hi Mario,

I agree with all the positive comments above - especially those pertaining to the image detail and how great the eye is rendered. As I look at the image I do wonder if the lion is perhaps just a bit too warm? To me the current white balance almost draws attention to the fact that the lion is artificially lit and by selectively playing with (tweaking) the white balance I suspect the subject would look that much more natural. But real strong as posted - nicely done!

Cheers...

Brad

Thank everyone for all the great comments and constructive opinions on improving this image. There were two vehicles at the sighting and both with spotlights. For this image I used the light coming from the other vehicle positioned to our left. This is basically how it came out of the camera and liked so went ahead with it but reading Brad's idea on decreasing the temperature did cross my mind and so I have . . . Here is another version. Let me have your comments

Love this one Mario. Love the impact of this image. I agree with Brad;s suggestion and think the re-post is even better. You definitely have a winner here.

I prefer the re-posted image, IMO it looks more natural.

Hi Mario,

I do prefer the repost - to my eye the colouring now does look more natural (and I don't instantly think "artificial light" when I look at it).

Cheers...

Brad

Two big thumbs up Mario, stunning subject and beautifully illustrated with the torchlight.

Beauty image! The detail in his fur in exceptional. I think I like the original post better.

Mario,
This is good as it gets, spotlights are so much better than flash, lucky it was not one with a red shade!