Legitimate Suspicion

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello everyone,

Hope your weekend is all good and relaxing, here's an image of a young lion who had just spotted a big male approaching at some distance. His expression changed as soon as he realised the new arrival was in fact his father, so this scene is followed by some lovely greeting and head rubbing...More images to follow, but first I need to get this B/W thing working...

So I am risking another conversion, the original was taken in golden light and the IQ is quite good, but I am trying to gain some processing skills and to stick to the monthly theme.

Nikon D3S
Nikon 500 F4
1.4 Converter
ISO 800
F6.3
1/2500s

Have a great week-end,

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Gabriela - First let me clarify that the monthly themes are completely optional and not something that needs to be stuck to. You can post any wildlife image. The themes are just a way to have some fun and add some variety to the forum.

The detail on this lion is fantastic. You do have a bit more tonal range here but I do think you can improve it with a bit of selective burning and dodging. I'm not sure about the toning, this might look better in a more traditional b&w. I would love to see the color version as well.

TFS,
Rachel

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Gabriela, I'm a complete novice in B&W and toned image (meaning I know zip!), so this is just purely uninformed opinion. I think the tone here is a bit dark and the grayish BG is not so attractive. You have great details on the lion, so I'd like to see a color version as well. I will post one soon and will post both B&W and color as well. TFS. Loi

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Gabriela, agree on the above comments, but again can't really look at colour as such. Like the angle of posture, a nice diagonal for me, perhaps a little off the LHS????? Techs look good.

Keep experimenting & exploring, it's a great way to expand your learning curve & knowledge.

TFS
Steve

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thank you Rachel, Loi and Steve,

I appreciate your comments and agree with improving tonal range and the BG needing some lightening, will see if I can make some subtle changes.
Rachel, my B/W skills were non-existent in the past, I took the opportunity (monthly theme) and tried to experiment as much as I could. Enjoyed it so much that I could not stop(LOL).
And Steve, my first crop was tighter on the LHS but the next day I looked at the image again and felt like giving this lion more space; since I trust your judgement completely, I will make the change

Currently having problems with internet and possibly in need of a new modem, will try to organise technician tomorrow to sort out things. Used to be wireless and now on cable, sorted my laptop provisionally but now Andre cannot connect from home and both our Apples are off-line. Will be back soon, wishing you a great week ahead,

[Marc Mol]

I appreciate your comments and agree with improving tonal range and the BG needing some lightening

Agree with the above here and feel it could benefit with those improvements, as I see it now it's just not wowing me as a monochrome version Gabriela, but can only applaud your efforts.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Good feedback given above, Gabs.
How about this? You'd need to work it from the RAW file for best results, as I merely did a VERY quick and messy job with the OP mono image.
Dodge and burn to taste on lion and BG for more tonal range...

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear Morkel,

Thank you so much for your help with this image, and I apologise for replying so late, had no electricity yesterday the whole day. I like your subtle changes, very much. I get the idea Morkel, will try to get more tonal range in the future.

Have a great week-end,