These lion cubs were photographed on the Tanzania Summer Safari with the Todd-Pod mounted Canon 600mm f/4L IS II, the 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/10 in Av mode. ISO 800 Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/5.6.in Av mode in soft morning light.
One sensor below the central sensor/AI Servo Surround/Rear Focus AF on the face of the closest cub active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the latest version of the rear focus tutorial.
In situations where I happen to be in Av mode and I am absolutely sure of the correct EC (exposure compensation), it is faster and easier to continue working in Av mode than it is to switch to Manual mode. That was the case here as I knew that +1/3 stop would be perfect. It was. As always, getting the right exposure has nothing to do with what shooting mode you are in.
Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Surround Rear Focus AF on the face of the closer cub.
As for the image, don't be shy; all comments welcome.
Last edited by Arthur Morris; 12-23-2013 at 08:17 AM.
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Hi Artie - nice cuteness factor and the expressions/eye contact is priceless. Great light too. I love that you can see all their spots. It seems a little red to me but it may have been due to time of day. Looks like they are on a slope either approaching a waterhole or going into a dry riverbed, the rear bank looks straight. I might be inclined to clone or lessen the effect of the one taller, bright piece of grass in the lower left corner. Overall, a beautiful image.
Thanks Rache. I left that one tall one as it sort of balances the composition. Or not :).
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I didn't notice the oof grass on left on first viewing.
I like showing the overall environment, helps to make the cubs seem small as they are.
But might be tempted to crop like this-
Let's hear some replies regarding comparing the composition with/without cropping (this crop or other crops)..
(It was rather tricky to crop without centering the cubs too much).
Hi Artie,great expression of these two cubs with that cute look over the shoulder, as Rachel said priceless .
I am fine with the overall comp but would loose the one piece of earth on RHS, Image is well balanced would not go for a crop. Or a really large crop , but then you would loose all the IQ, i feel , if you go really tight.
I just think it is overall a bit thin in tones, so i tried to push it , not everybody's cup, but i like it with more deeper tones.
WDYT?
Gorgeous image of the 2 cubs Artie. Great to see their markings so clearly. Many people don't realise that lion cubs have spots (florets)
I prefer the original crop, despite there being a lot of empty space to the left. However I do find the OOF grass on the left foreground a bit distracting.
BTW, I really enjoyed reading your post on exposure - very useful thank you.
Hi Artie, my first question is, why do you have to sets of Exif data, or as Xmas gets closer, are the festive beverages beginning to sink in and I have totally lost the plot until the new Year?
Regarding the image, well I'm feel the OP is bang on the money, cropping just reduces IQ and you are just throwing away valuable info, plus it's good to give subjects room to breathe and incorporate some of the environment, something I am very guilty in not always doing. I love the cub looking over the other cubs back with that cheeky grin, they are just so adorable at this age. I also prefer the slightly lighter, softer tones which also reflect the light conditions, Andreas I know where you are coming from, but for me it looks a tad too contrasty.
Well worth embedding the link on Manual exposure, a good read. Personally I like AV for Wildlife and rarely do BIF, but the insight to why you should choose M mode is a case very well put, especially when time is of the essence. I think 2014 will be re assessing my camera approach and how I work especially for Avian, thank you for enlightening me Artie.
Have a great Xmas Artie.
TFS
Steve
Post Production: Its ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.
I also questioned the two sets of exif as I was surprised at the relatively large depth of field when using a 600mm + 1.4x at f5.6.... So I guess the 1/400s at f10 is correct?
I also think it looks a bit thin and that you could get more out of it as per Andreas's suggestion. It's such a lovely image with the cubs looking great, but I wonder if there is just too much empty space. I think you are right in needing something to balance the cubs on the other side, but it possibly needs to be more substantial than the piece of grass. For the image you have, I think you did a great job, but without cropping a lot I think the composition is going to be difficult.
I didn't notice the oof grass on left on first viewing.
I like showing the overall environment, helps to make the cubs seem small as they are.
But might be tempted to crop like this-
Let's hear some replies regarding comparing the composition with/without cropping (this crop or other crops)..
(It was rather tricky to crop without centering the cubs too much).
Tom
Though I am not a fan of boxy crops this one works for me. The original post was a small crop. Oftentimes you can create many pleasing versions of the same image. And oftentimes there will be a very wide range of opinions. See here for example: http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2013/...r-helpopinion/. I will be following up on that one soon.
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Hi Artie,great expression of these two cubs with that cute look over the shoulder, as Rachel said priceless .
I am fine with the overall comp but would loose the one piece of earth on RHS, Image is well balanced would not go for a crop. Or a really large crop , but then you would loose all the IQ, i feel , if you go really tight.
I just think it is overall a bit thin in tones, so i tried to push it , not everybody's cup, but i like it with more deeper tones.
WDYT?
TFS Andreas
Thanks Andreas. I like it. The image seems to hold up pretty well even to a large crop.
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I preffer to original post over the suggestion from Andreas. You also mentioned "don't be shy" on comments to the image, did you ever thought about flipping the image vertically ? and go in a little bit thighter from the LHS ?
Hi Artie, my first question is, why do you have to sets of Exif data, or as Xmas gets closer, are the festive beverages beginning to sink in and I have totally lost the plot until the new Year?
Regarding the image, well I'm feel the OP is bang on the money, cropping just reduces IQ and you are just throwing away valuable info, plus it's good to give subjects room to breathe and incorporate some of the environment, something I am very guilty in not always doing. I love the cub looking over the other cubs back with that cheeky grin, they are just so adorable at this age. I also prefer the slightly lighter, softer tones which also reflect the light conditions, Andreas I know where you are coming from, but for me it looks a tad too contrasty.
Well worth embedding the link on Manual exposure, a good read. Personally I like AV for Wildlife and rarely do BIF, but the insight to why you should choose M mode is a case very well put, especially when time is of the essence. I think 2014 will be re assessing my camera approach and how I work especially for Avian, thank you for enlightening me Artie.
Have a great Xmas Artie.
TFS
Steve
YAW and thanks for your kind words. The +1 1/3 was simply a typo; I don't drink :).
Ditto on the holiday good wishes.
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I preffer to original post over the suggestion from Andreas. You also mentioned "don't be shy" on comments to the image, did you ever thought about flipping the image vertically ? and go in a little bit thighter from the LHS ?
TFS
Gert
Hi Gert, I did just what you said. Is this what you had in mind?
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ps: I think now that you meant "flip horizontally." That being correct, left to right or right to left never bugs me.
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ps: I think now that you meant "flip horizontally." That being correct, left to right or right to left never bugs me.
You're right! I meant flip horizontally. (I was just mislead by the popup tags on the buttons from the plugin in my chrome browser. If I put my pointer on <-> button it pops up 'flip vertically'.) Sorry.
Hi Gert, Thanks for understanding that I was trying to be funny :).
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love the two cute chaps. The OG post does it for me. I do not mind the LHS grass. The light is great and two Exif is outstanding for me, compliment :)
Left or right, for me it looks tad on in OG. I did not read yet your posts about AV... etc. but will after finished writing. Wildlife I shot 60-70% in AV, I'm just faster with it. It also depends what I see through the camera :)
Will see where your post will bring me. :)
Wish you a Happy New Year
ciao Anette
Last edited by Anette Mossbacher; 12-28-2013 at 08:58 AM.
I really enjoyed viewing your post and had a great time reading all comments-love your sense of humour! I do prefer the OP, the upside down version made me wonder whether I had too much whisky…Love to see the landscape and environment and the cubs are just gorgeous, great capture and I like the processing!
I really enjoyed viewing your post and had a great time reading all comments-love your sense of humour! I do prefer the OP, the upside down version made me wonder whether I had too much whisky…Love to see the landscape and environment and the cubs are just gorgeous, great capture and I like the processing!
Kind regards,
Thank you Lady Gabriela :)
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Artie - lovely image in great light. I agree on sticking to your original framing for the reasons Steve mentioned.
Had to smile when you posted the upside down version LOL