Lion

[Hilary Hann]

Photographed in the Mara North Conservancy, Jan 2010.
40D; EF70-200 @ 200mm; ISO400; f6.7; 1/250

Processed in NikSilver.

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you Peter. When I took the photo, the lion had settled in this position which was in a small amount of shade. Although it evened out the light on his face, it left a large, very bright background patch which concerned me. I've tried to process this image for months with no success … I'd tried every technique in my pp book. I pulled up the image to do some collage work with it and needed to drop the saturation. When I started playing around with different levels of saturation, tonings etc. I found that this effect appealed to me and seemed to reduce the effects of the bright background.

I suppose what I'm trying to do, is get a file of techniques to use so that I can get the most out of my wildlife images as it isn't always possible to have ideal lighting, backgrounds etc. If I can train my eye to see possibilities in the field, with the situation in front of me and knowing what I can do in pp at home, I'll get many more images which I can use. Just another step in using every available tool to make the most of my little time in Africa.

I very rarely shoot for b&w, but am doing so more and more.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Hilary - I like this a lot. Not sure if you have a little more on the left. I feel like his legs are right up against the edge and could use a little more room.

TFS,
Rachel

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Rachel, yes I have a little more room on the lhs so will look at re-cropping.

[Robert Amoruso]

This has a nice old time African Photo Expedition look.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Robert and Peter.

[Judy Howle]

I like the tint you chose. The tone processing doesn't look bad at all for being mixed lighting.
Judy

[Hilary Hann]

Thank you Judy.

[Nico Steenberg]

Great conversion. Like the comp. Subject is pin sharp and i like the eye contact.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Hilary, good detail on the head, and I like the direct eye contact. This is tad dark on my monitor, and well done for thinking out the box.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Nico. Stuart, I didn't think it was too dark but I'll look at it again. Thanks for the heads up! ;)