The King

[Chris van Rooyen]

The lions of the Kalahari semi-desert in southern Africa are particularly majestic animals - perhaps the stark surroundings adds further to their presence. This male suddenly appeared over a grassy dune and struck a regal pose. I particularly liked the way in which the wind played with his mane, adding further to his majestic presence.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Date/Time: 2005:03:13 15:12:31
Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: 11
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: -1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Lens: 500mm
Focal length: 1000mm

[ajay]

I love it. A little more of the sky would add even more to the "Lion King" persona. How did you get this low??
Ajay

[Dean Ingwersen]

G'day Chris,

What an amazing image. I love the wind in the mane, and the pose and 'look' of the lion. I only have one criticism...I think there is a little too much foreground in the shot. I don't know if it's possible, but a crop with a little more sky and a little less grass would make it more pleasing to me - I think this would make his 'gaze off into the distance' a little stronger. Just my opinion though...he's certainly one serious dude not to be messed with. Great work.

[Arjan van der Stelt]

Great image good pose and colors, personally I should crop something from the bottom so there will be less foreground but overall great image and thanks for sharing......

[Glenn Wheeler]

That is one great capture. My wife was walking by as I was looking at it and her response was "Majestic".

I love the wind in the mane and the positioning of the lion. I see what others are saying about the foreground, but it doesn't bother me too much.

Overall a very powerful image - well done.


Glenn Wheeler
http://www.glennwheeler.com
http://www.photoroadtrips.com

[Ivan Rothman]

Striking image!
My only suggestion would have been to angle the camera up to include more sky and less foreground.
Ivan

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, makes sense:). I will crop and repost.

[D. Robert Franz]

Striking image for sure. I'm going to go against the grain here and complement you for this framing. I think the high in the frame placement gives the lion the deserved perception of strength. Your placement at a power point reinforces that as well. I like how the lion is looking into the frame. Well done....

[DanWalters]

Nice image. Like the comp and the wind blowing the mane. Maybe a little more off the bottom and more sky.

[Geurt Bloem]

I like this composition a lot Chris. A very well done for me.

[Jacqui Hendry]

Classic......................

Composition is perfect

[Dave Courtenay]

Thats a cracker-the title says it all-love it as is-the wind in the mane makes it

[Jasper Doest]

Very well thought composition.... I really like the amount of foreground here....and you can nearly feel the wind in this photograph. It is not often that I like lion photographs (since they often lack creativity....), but this one is an exception....very well done!