Duba - lion cub

[Steve Kaluski]

Well, hopefully this little one will have grown up by now and perhaps Loi may have seen this one whilst at Duba. Love to see that 'rasping' tongue, so efficient when removing those last last bits . It was close to midday when this was taken, so with the heat it appears someone was ready for a small siesta. The slightly clipped ear is marginal and personally I can live with it, some may not LOL, and Rachel, no I'm not flipping it.

Cheers
Steve

Subject: Lion cub yawning (Panthera leo)
Location: Duba Plains, Botswana
Camera: Canon MKIV
Lens: 500f/4 HH
Exposure: 1/1600s at f/5.6 ISO400

[Don Railton]

Hi Steve.

The harsh light, the clipped ear, and the lack of eye contact are all small things IMHO, but I think they collaborate to make this not a 'Wow' image I feel. I do like the tongue and the relaxed look, and its nice and sharp, but I think its the light mainly that putting a damper on my enthusiasm for this one... Keep them coming..

best regards
DON

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Steve, it's tough to get pictures of lion in mid day as the African sun is very unforgiving. The cub seemed to be very relaxed here and gave you the opportunity to take a close up portrait. I could live with the clipped ear. I wish for a bit more of the pupil though. The rasping tounge is endearing. Could certainly be one of the 3 that I saw! Loi

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

This 'picture' can only be more realistic when seeing the cub with our own eyes, Steve! I need to say no more - well done!

Just wondering what object is protruding from its lower back chin area - almost looks like a thin piece of wire?

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Steve - good handling of the broad daylight with great detail , sharpness and tones are done magical .Cut off ear not ideal , but no deal breaker.
Like the overall colors but would watch the blues coming through in some parts ( gums /tongue /ear ). The ticks could be a tad sharper , i feel .
The tongue looks very nice with cracking detail.

Cheers Andreas

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - I agree you handled the light well and that the tongue is fantastic with your usual excellent details and sharpness throughout. I also see the slight blue and know you are on your laptop so an easy fix. How about this crop to make the clipped ear seem less of a mistake?

TFS,
Rachel

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear Steve,

I have seen this image before and thought it had amazing detail as well as sharpness. I still do. At the time I was viewing this on my laptop, now on the big screen I do notice a slight colour cast on the ear, to me it looks like magenta rather than blue. I must admit I like Rachel's crop better, but then you know I like to get close to my subjects Love the curled tongue and that soft BG, F5.6 was the perfect choice, this image has great depth and whatever you tweaked, it works for me!

Warmest regards,

[Steve Kaluski]

Very much like the crop Rachel, but personally I'm happy with the overall colours of the OP, thanks for the the replies guys.

cheers
Steve

[Andre Pretorius]

Hi Steve

Bit late, but...

Detail and Mid-tones amazing...

Gotta love that tongue

DOF works with crop, but I feel the youngster is a bit boxed.

Andre.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Hey Steve. The tongue is nice but overall it's not doing much for me - the flat light and tight frame are my biggest detractors.
I know you probably do have some of this guy in better light and possibly a better setting? Let's see it?