Feeling lucky?

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 1, 201684 views3 comments

Firstly, thank you Jim E and your email a while back, I've just been busy and sadly not enough time to post here, but hopefully that will change.

Shot about 30 mins after a warthog kill, this feisty lion cub stood his ground with his older brothers & sisters. Taking the kill deep into the bush to protect it from prying eyes proved fun in trying to get angles that were clear of bushes, but not too much in shade. However the shade I think provided a bit more 'atmosphere'?

Steve

Subject: Lion cubs (Panthera leo) lying down, in shade, after feasting.
Location: Botswana
Camera: Canon 1DX MKI
Lens: 500 f/4 with 1.4x HH
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/5.6 ISO2000 EV -0.33
Original format: Portrait, crop for presentation from the top, FF width
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC2015.5

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on October 2, 2016 at 4:40 AM

Great detail, and I love the look in his eyes. I agree about the shade providing more atmosphere.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 2, 2016 at 6:51 PM

This works for me. I find noteworthy some subtle compositional details, such as how the head divides the frame into triangular shapes and how the face itself is somewhat triangular. Also that front paw, ears and direction of whiskers are aimed at the corners of the frame, another dynamic positive. I especially like the placement of the eye, off center and glaring at something other than the cameraman...with the catchlight just above and right of the pupil. And of course the attitude of that stare combined with the unspoken menace of the flecks on blood on his face add tons to the mood.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on October 3, 2016 at 11:06 AM

Thanks guys.

Cheers Lon for the very comprehensive crit, some points I had not seen, thanks. A balancing act in terms of Exposure, but the eye just had so much punch. A frustrating time in parts, as everyone kept disappearing into the bush, so you did need to be on your toes when 'Lady Luck' showed herself.

Thanks once again.

Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments