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Thread: Eyes on the Prize #2

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Eyes on the Prize #2

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    You know the story by now. Lions on an open plain. Sunrise just happening. Ignorant eland approaching.
    This is not the same eland as my previous shot, this is a 2nd antelope.

    I planned this shot in my mind, but didn't know if the eland would actually venture THIS close. It did.
    I rotated the camera to portrait mode since I wanted that sweet dawn mood in the sky.

    I pre-focused on the lioness and waited to click the shutter when I saw the head in the clear. I've got one with both "ears" visible, but the lioness' head is not as pleasingly framed by the eland in that one for me...what do you think? Rather have both ears and the face next to the front legs with open space between her and the rear legs of the buck?

    Your thoughts are welcomed.
    This is a slight crop from a FF vertical frame, perhaps 10% cropped off for positioning/rotation.

    For higher resolution (900px high): http://500px.com/photo/20270675

    Techs:
    Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
    f5.6 @ 1/800 SS @ ISO-3200
    EV +0.3
    Last edited by Morkel Erasmus; 12-12-2012 at 03:15 AM.
    Morkel Erasmus

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  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel - Fantastic foresight in the field and then it all seems to have come together. I like the inclusion of the morning sky so vertical was a good choice for me. My only minor crit was going to be that it would really be over the top with the full head and both ears showing so I would like to see that one too. Looking forward to the chase next.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Great image Morkel. I like your use of DoF to emphasize the lion thus drawing the viewers' eye directly to her. I think the framing of the lion by the herbivore is excellent. The partially obscured ear is not a problem for me. The image creates tension & tells an ageless story. Excellent techs. I too am looking forward to the images of the chase & capture. TFS.
    Andrew

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Fantastic foresight in the field and then it all seems to have come together.
    I totally Agree Rachel, but you know what I would like to have had Morkel, would have been ideal to have the two to compare however it is still a fine shot that rarely any of us get to take. I do like the light in this one.

    TFS
    Steve

    BTW just viewing this to the Rolling Stones - Gimme shelter
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    There's a lot of tension in the shot, and I think the lioness' eyes are what's important, not the ears... I really like the mood created by the early light. Excellent job.

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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, you know already that I love this image I agree with Rachel, with the including the morning sky as well head and ears. But sometimes we just cannot go deeper while sitting in a car, not allowed to get out, bugger **** on earth
    Some people even fight to get the front seat in a Safari Jeep

    Ciao
    Anette

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  12. #7
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel,
    agree about your foresight work , well done .
    Good story to tell.
    I am fine with composition of the lioness and the eland.
    Nice morning light you captured within the scene, but for my taste , corresponding to the early morning, i feel the colors are a tad too intense for me , specially the light is coming from the back.

    Good job

    TFS Andreas

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  14. #8
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Thank you everyone for viewing and for your comments.
    Andreas - I'm curious about your comment? Which colours seem too vibrant for you?
    The light at the back was actually behind some clouds so it's not the strong sunlight you might imagine...more of a dawn glow.
    Morkel Erasmus

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