Carnivore

This lioness had been feeding on a Gnu she and her sisters had killed before dawn close to Lake Ndutu- Nth Tanzania.
With her open mouth and jaws displayed, she looks more menancing than appears, but it's simply a lip-smacking moment.
Not a fan of square crops in nature photography, but felt it did it justice in this case.
I deliberately left the ear out, as my intention was a close focus on the eyes & jaw, my square crop was from the RHS. Some might prefer to have the ear included and I do have many frames with it in, but not with the open licking.


D4 500 f/4VRII 1/200s f/4 ISO6400, the light was once again at a premium. Bean bag from front pax seat, lumo mask, levels, curves adj & WB in ACR & PS CC.

C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc

Hi Marc this is in the face !!! Like this !!
Though i just ask does it need to be that saturated ?
From the D4 i would expect finer details and less noise , even at 6400

TFS Andreas

Hi Marc

This is good! Very strong, and the red blood makes a perfect contrast to the saturated green background. I like that.
There is quite a bit noice in the background, that could you work with if you like. I don't think it is that disturbing. I though agree with Andreas details is not 100%. How much did you crop this? Or is it because of some micro-movments?

TFS Gregor

Thanks Andreas & Gregor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Andreas Liedmann

Hi Marc this is in the face !!! Like this !!
Though i just ask does it need to be that saturated ?
From the D4 i would expect finer details and less noise , even at 6400

TFS Andreas

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S/S greater than 1/200s would have been preferable for sure, and my ACR settings for sat was 0 and vibrance at 30 for this (and the majority of my images).
I find the BG reasonable for ISO6400 considering no NR was used.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gregor Bergquist

Hi Marc

This is good! Very strong, and the red blood makes a perfect contrast to the saturated green background. I like that.
There is quite a bit noice in the background, that could you work with if you like. I don't think it is that disturbing. I though agree with Andreas details is not 100%. How much did you crop this? Or is it because of some micro-movments?

TFS Gregor

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The cropping was pretty much from 4:6 to 4:4, with just the RHS removed.

Marc , color is as always matter taste !!
BKG is fine with noise , the subject does look somehow grainy , for me .My thinking was the D4 is that great with Iso performance !

Hi Marc - Definitely a close up! I like the comp and don't think it needs the ear at all. Square crop works too. Good observations made by Andreas and Gregor above.

TFS,
Rachel

Not much to say on this one, but that is a close up, wow, looks great to me, Marc. All said already.
enjoy your eve

Ciao Anette

Digging the red/green contrast here Marc. Good expression and overall comp (not missing the ear this side either).
I agree the face has lost some sharpness with the 1/200 SS, high ISO performance seems good though I'm not sure if you boosted clarity on the lioness at all in ACR?