Early morning

[BenBotha]

Canon 20 D
Canon 100-400
Photo taken a few years ago on an early morning game drive in Moremi Botswana. It was over cast and the sun was filtered by clouds. I liked the soft light and the grass stems that partially framed the lion.
Ben

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Ben, nice portrait of a great lion with the mane. Please include the techs so that we can help critique the image. I see a Red cast here both on the lion and the grass. Loi

[Morkel Erasmus]

Nice eye contact and light. I agree about the slight red cast, and I'd crop tighter from RHS and top.
Maybe add another round of sharpening to his face, Ben?

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Ben - Nice light and big male. I agree about the red cast and the additional sharpening. I would have liked to see more room at the bottom to include the full paw. An alternative might be to crop a bit more from the bottom so the image is only the face.

TFS,
Rachel

[BenBotha]

Thanks for the comments. No space at the bottom, was behind a slight ridge, I reduced the reds a little and mild sharpening. What do you think?
ISO 400, 1/320, f5.6
Ben

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Ben, for me, I would have liked if you had moved the whole frame down to include the front leg, even if the paw disappears into the grass. You then have a feeling of support and a good platform for the foot of the image, no pun intended. As presented I would go tighter and perhaps looking at a square crop, this for me emphasises the head & strong character of the subject. Techs look good and we have to remember this is from the 20D, a good camera at the time.

TFS
Steve

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

I love the 2nd crop. Without doubt the most beautiful cats in the world!

[Anette Mossbacher]

Hi Ben,

very nice image of this lion. I as well agree on the paw. The RP looks better, I still would reduce a tad red in the grass, but this is just me

Have a great week

Ciao
Anette

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Ben,
nice portrait of the king in nice warm light.
Colors are looking better in RP , but the crop is not really working for me, Plus one for a square.

TFS Andreas

[BenBotha]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.
1. The grass is called "rooigras" or red grass in English-it has a reddish colour.
2. Remember-it is a 20D, square cropping is ideal but IQ loss is significant.
3. All points are valid for improving in future, thanks again.
Ben