This image was taken in June 2019 at Zuka Private Game Reserve in lovely morning light. The lioness had two little cubs which I struggled to photograph because of tall vegetation. There were some delightful moments with them playing so I kept a number of images, unfortunately they are not nice enough to share.
I saw the same lioness six months later and the cubs were quite big, happy they survived and doing well - planning to look for them again soon and hopefully I will have some more images to share.
Many thanks to all of you for viewing and kind comments, always appreciated. Techs to follow:
Nikon D5
Nikon 500mm F4
ISO 800
F8
1/2000s
Processed in LR and PSCC, almost FF.
01-25-2020, 06:31 AM
Steve Kaluski
Hi Gabriela, I like the intense stare and slight angle looking up. Having a slightly higher SS hasn't effected the ISO or IQ which is great. Overall I might suggest in going for a cleaner blue for the sky and richer vegetation, so perhaps going a little cooler on the WB, just also watch you blacks. overall you can afford to get a bit more exposure into frame too.
TFS
Steve
01-25-2020, 08:52 AM
Sanjeev Aurangabadkar
Hi Gabriela, a nice portrait with great light and fine techs. Details look good and I like the lower shooting angle.
01-25-2020, 11:17 AM
Jonathan Ashton
Lovely details, the eyelash shadows are cute! My initial reaction was powerful eye catching image, on looking I wonder if the coat is just a little orange and a tiny bit heavy?
01-25-2020, 03:44 PM
John Mack
Great portrait here. Love that intense stare. Light looks very nice as well. Killer background with that hint of green at the bottom. Looks spot on to me.
01-26-2020, 01:34 PM
Gabriela Plesea
Thank you so much friends, for your comments and constructive criticism :5
Steve I agree with your comments, blacks a tad heavy and blues a bit 'muddy'. Will go back to LR and take care of those issues.
Not so sure about the orange Jon, in certain lighting conditions a lion's coat looks 'golden'. I will share an image of this same girl in flat light very soon, here I already removed some off the yellows and reds in LR.
John, re. that ' intense stare' : she was looking at some wildebeest in the distance...And did made a kill later that night.
Warmest regards,
01-26-2020, 04:19 PM
Geoffrey Montagu
Hi Gabriela,
She's so beautiful. The early light is exceptional, and love her intense gaze.
Thank you very much Geoffrey, she is indeed beautiful and so powerful, I am so taken with her:S3:
01-27-2020, 03:08 PM
Andreas Liedmann
Hi Gabriela .... you and your princess :w3.
You captured her beautifully !!!
Love the lower POV ... making her look even more majestic !!!!
From the technical aspect , i can only echo Steve's thoughts here .
Brilliant work in the field ... just needs a tiny polish in PP .
TFS Andreas
01-27-2020, 04:24 PM
Gabriela Plesea
Thank you so much Andreas,
Cannot get enough of this girl, she is truly special:S3: Grateful to Steve for his help with PP :5
She has five cubs, by the way. Mostly boys and one of them a little naughtier than the others, a little 'punk' as I like to call him.
Will share more images soon. Been spending time with them every now and then but it's so hot around here this time of the year, they are not active during the day.