Sunset patrol

6.51pm.

With the last vestiges of light, a lioness from the Wapuka pride stops to quench her thirst and moves off on a hunting patrol with her 3 sisters and 1 cub close behind.

If one looks at the thumbnail alone, one could argue that the scene is too dark overall, however my vision was to keep the mood & scene exactly how I saw it, and hence Iv'e made no direct lighting or exposure adj's.

I'll be interested to see if others share that vision?


H/H from front pax seat, F/F- curves, levels, selective NR, TK masking adj, PS CC & ACR

Selinda- Botswana

Camera	NIKON D4
Lens	AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
ISO	12800
Focal Length	70.0 mm (70.0 mm in 35mm)
Aperture	f/4
Exposure Time	0.0025s (1/400)

Cheers Marc

Totally agree when you look at the thumbnail all looks dark.Take time to look at this properly and there is so much to see with both lovely colour and content,start at the sky, starting the the departing sun then moving up to the soft pinks and purple and the last bit of daylight.couple of birds then the main subject going off on her nightly prowl ,wish I had Gabriela's use of words to describe this wonderful scene.All i can add is it must have been a magical moment to witness.

Keith.

I like this, Marc - very original and it grabs me. My thoughts as viewing:

You have presented us with two strong elements in this image, the Sun setting and a lovely Lioness - I really like the way they oppose each other and balance the frame. I also like the colours and the presence of the birds flying over the river.

The night is still young but the bush is coming alive, our lioness is about to hunt - this is evocative and I like the title, well seen, captured, sensibly processed. One instance where I just love a bit of magenta "creeping in" - it belongs to the Botswana night sky:w3

Viewing this makes me want to pack my bags and go travel, thank goodness only three months left and we are off again:) Thank you Marc, this is truly appealing, great mood, works for me:w3

Kind regards,

We both like it as is Marc,the dark works completely for me,it's all the little extras i love: the sunset(maybe being picky i'd want just a bit more colour in the sky,but one gets what one is given) the way the reflection of sky on water leads one through the picture and the birds egrets possibly? all enhance her leading the pride off . I'd be very pleased with this Marc I feel it might be too dark for some ,but certainly it works for me!!

take care thanks for sharing

Stu

Marc - I very much like this as is. Not too dark at all. Very evocative of the mysteries of night. Lovely bit of color in the sky and reflecting in the river. Nice separation of the lion's silhouette. In an ideal world perhaps a little more room for the lion to stroll into but by no means a deal breaker.

TFS,
Rachel

Hi Marc -- I have always said and will again maintain that your images are always special and absolute treat to watch . This one is no exception , i liked the way you have framed this image with all the elements coming very nicely . I just loved the colours and the lioness walking in this beautiful setting is quite a story book stuff . Very nicely done .

TFS !

This one was well thought out and executed, Marc. Lovely colours, the dark feel is just right and the lioness is placed at the optimal place to give her outline some "breathing space" in the water behind her.