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Thread: Mana Lion Panorama

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Mana Lion Panorama

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    I tried something different here, and many will probably find fault with the placement of the lion and the tightness at the bottom.

    I didn't particularly "place" the lion as this is a panorama of about 8-9 images shot/composed vertically and the focus is as much on the forests of Mana Pools as it is on the lion.
    The lion was lying on the edge of the road and I didn't want that in the shot, so I composed tight at the bottom.
    Obviously 1024px isn't enough for this one...the high res file is 9193x4048 pixels.

    This was shot in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, just after sunrise but before the sunrise light penetrated the forest. He was roaring all night and we found him in the forest at dawn.

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II + 1.4xTC @ 700mm
    f5.6 @ 1/250 SS @ ISO-2200
    Panoramic stitch of 8 or 9 images (I forget)
    Morkel Erasmus

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  3. #2
    Ken Watkins
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    Morkel,

    For me at least this is marvelous and very different, I just wonder if the Lion needs to be less in the centre?

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    Lifetime Member Markus Jais's Avatar
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    A fantastic idea and like it a lot. As you wrote, a little more room at the bottom would be good. First I thought the lion should be further to the right but after looking at the image for a while I think the placement in the center works great.
    Definitely one of the most interesting lion shots I've seen.

    Markus

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    Morkel I think this work very nicely, lion placement also works for me. Fantastic idea, really love this.

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    Effective stitching and it really gives the feel of Mana, from everything I've seen and heard. Would love to see it full size.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel this is similar to you 'Scenery' posting which I very much enjoyed, it's the tranquil feel and all about the light for me. I also like the way the lion is framed either side by the trees, but no so sure about the lion being so close to the trim edge, but hey... Wonder if a Lumo mask might help tone down slightly the highlights on the trees, WDYT?

    I can see the Landscaper coming through into the 'look & feel' of his Wildlife images.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Nice one, very peaceful lion

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel - Nice idea and job stitching. I like the smallness of the lion in the frame and don't mind the centered placement. The early morning feel comes through well.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Steve Uffman's Avatar
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    Another regular on this site and I talked just yesterday about some of your wonderful work that uses this style. I really think its wonderful and I style I likely will have in mind when in Kenya/Tanzania. the added look and feel makes the images really stand out

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel , like this panoramic lion , even if i think the lion that close to bottom is not ideal, but you had your reasons for the placement.
    Beautiful light is hitting this peaceful scene , that you captured well.
    Colors looks nice, but i personally would reduce the blues/ cyans in the darks and the 3/4 tones a tad.I hope you do not think i have blue/cyan aversion , maybe others do.

    But overall very nice one, that maybe inspire me to visit that place one day.

    TFS Andreas

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Love this habitat image here Morkel, reminds me much of the Sth Luangwa.
    I do wish for some more lower room (understand why) and slightly less central comp, however, the shafts of light through the BG timber actually enhance for mine.
    Congrats on another EarthShots (WD) winner BTW


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    Pity that road forced this comp but otherwise very nice. I like the wide view and the placement of the lion close to the middle does not bother me at all. Think Steve do have a good suggestion to try and get the highlights on the trees a bit down.

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  25. #13
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thank you all for the kind feedback. In hindsight I should have composed with more "road at the bottom" for optional cropping later...but that's water under the bridge. I have a few more that I can stitch (shot in landscape format)...will see about that.

    Steve - will tweak the brights, thanks...

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Uffman View Post
    Another regular on this site and I talked just yesterday about some of your wonderful work that uses this style. I really think its wonderful and I style I likely will have in mind when in Kenya/Tanzania. the added look and feel makes the images really stand out
    Thank you Steve Uffman for those very kind words.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Nice scene and good idea of showing the surroundings...Appealing image!

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    Hi Morkel, nice image, the very in-focus lion and out of focus trees makes the lion stand out, maybe a smaller aperture would shift the attention away from the lion to the trees, getting some of the trees in focus? Regards, Riaan

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  30. #16
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thanks Dumay and Riaan

    Quote Originally Posted by Riaan Marais View Post
    Hi Morkel, nice image, the very in-focus lion and out of focus trees makes the lion stand out, maybe a smaller aperture would shift the attention away from the lion to the trees, getting some of the trees in focus? Regards, Riaan
    Riaan - that would have been nice - but not really feasible with 700mm in the low light here, ISO was already on 2200 and SS on 1/250 (very slow for this focal length - steady hands!). Besides to get any semblance of good DOF in the BG you need to shoot at f22 or something and on a telephoto even that is not enough for what you suggest. To do that I needed to be closer with a wider lens...and we didn't want to drive right up to this guy and spoil the moment by chasing him up.
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Hi Morkel, yes, it makes sense, it would have spoiled the moment getting closer with a shorter lens.

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