Testo Tail

The next one in the saga, with the frisky/ determined/ testosterone filled Male approaching the water.
I felt his self-confidence oozing as he was approaching, he was the man of the moment! (Carl and me had to take a backseat here...)
Carl, I challenge you to post your image on this sighting now.

F/F with no cropping.
As I always shoot ETTR, was at +0.3.. Big mistake, had to drop exp overall, then work back. ( shot a Rhino mom and calf minutes before in shadows, they were still on the scene)
Minimal processing in PS CC, no NR..

Nikon D3S with 500f4
1/1000 @ F4.5
ISO 3200
Matrix with +0,3EV

Thanks Carl for the opportunity!

Any more below Andre???

BTW Carls place is now out of bounds :t3, some 'killing' images you two!!!!

Take Steve's point about a bit below, but what I really like is the strut of this Lion with it's swishing tail and determined look.Excellent detail and texture on the Lion itself and a nice soft backdrop.Enjoyed looking at this Andre.

Keith.

Andre, just fabulous light, pose and perspective here. I agree with Steve, would be nice to have a smidge more below.
Maybe add some midtone contrast to lion only?

If you have more room below then I would add it Andre. Shame the rear paws are not visible, but that's the ground I guess. Adding some Clarity & a Tone Curve adjustment via LR brings a bit more depth/pop to the subject, likewise some more USM. Why f/4.5 , I think a hint more f/5.6 would have been better?

S

Thank you Steve, Keith and Morkel.

Steve/Morkel, this image is FF, have not been cropped. To me the space @ bottom seemed to be enough, does it seems to be a bit tight due to bigger space on top?
The FG was full of stones and sticks, would detract from subject. How if I crop a bit on top? I liked the cleaner BG presented to me by the distant hill.

Selected F4,5 and 1/1000 to keep ISO(3200) as low as possible, the complete animal was in the same focal plane.

Have done some MT contrast on lion only, will try to push dehaze/Clarity a bit more in LR, or some LAE with USM. Struggle a bit with curves in LR, prefer in PS where masking is possible...?

Thank you all for suggestions!

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To me the space @ bottom seemed to be enough, does it seems to be a bit tight due to bigger space on top?

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Very tight, the balance just isn't working, I suggest you post the RAW as is, lets take a look then Andre and hopefully come up with a plan.

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will try to push dehaze/Clarity a bit more in LR, or some LAE with USM

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Seems a bit of a 'Heinz 57' - a bit of a mixture of recipes Andre, with no clear path???? :Whoa!:

The Raw:

Steve, there are no clear recipes in processing..if there were, we all would have actions:bg3:
Decided to crop, using rule of thirds.
Some LAE in PS from PSD file, maybe to little?

Next try from Heinz 58, I am in a haze, but decided not to use dehaze:2eyes2:
WDYT?

Hi Andre -- fabulous image !! what a handsome beast and lovely light, nice details and colours and nicely processed , i am ok with the space at the bottom . Tfs !

Andre, I would use the Lion from the RP and the backdrop from the OP, as I personally prefer the softer colours. I think the tweaks are very simple based on the OP, I wouldn't get to stressed :w3, keep it simple. Tonal Curve is simple, but with small tweaks I think.

Perhaps I may have just accepted the FG and just moved the whole frame down as you could not change it, it was what it was and worried later, but that is with hindsight Andre. Perhaps this as another option and evict the tree on the LHS, but not ideal I feel.

Cheers
Steve

Hi Andre - Sorry I'm a bit late to this one. I like the striding pose. It certainly conveys that he is a confident king. Lots of good advice already given above. I think I like your rp in pane 9 best. Only other thing I would do is that burn the highlighted twigs in the bg under the lion. I find them drawing my eye. Looking forward to seeing more and also to seeing Carl's take on this big boy.

TFS,
Rachel

I like the original in pane 1. I can see the lion perfectly and I can also appreciate the habitat, I really like the lighting on the image too.

Thank you Steve, Rachel and Jonathan!

Steve, I think the space in front of the male is a bit too tight..
Thanks Rachel, can't wait for my African Buthi's post either.
Appreciate Jonathan!

Nice image mate. Looks familiar somehow:t3, glad you had a great time. I quite like your repost. V nice light. Well processed. i was at a bit of a disadvantage here as I had already packed my gear away when G suddenly spotted him appearing on the horizon.

Andre,what can I say an image conveying the king and he know's it. This has been fascinating to read through with regard to the nuances of the image doubtless i'll re read!! Wonderful light: another inspiring capture from Africa !!

thank you for sharing this

Stu

Hi Andre a lovely posing testo lion male .
I absolutely love the overall image and your RP in pane 9 does it for me !!!
OP was a bit wide for my taste .
I might try to add a little more richness to the lion , as a personal taste , nothing wrong with your RP though .
Nice detail and overall color palette , love the creamy BG .

Nice one Buthi

TFS Andreas

Awesome image of a cracking specimen !

Thank you Haseeb, Steve, Rachel, Carl, Stuart, Andreas and Basil for comments and input!
Much appreciated!