Up-and-coming

[Morkel Erasmus]

I photographed this male lion (part of a coalition of 3) back in 2012 during a brief visit to the Sabi Sands Game Reserve (Singita).
I went for an unconventional framing here (at least for what I'm used to), so would like your feedback here. It's pretty much full frame.

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f8.0 | 1/200 SS | ISO-450
Did some blotch cleanup on the BG for a uniform look&feel

[Loi Nguyen]

Morkel, love it. The un-conventional framing works well here for me. I like the S curve of the body which leads the viewer to a magnificent lion with impressive mane. I'm on a terrible monitor, so can't comment on the "colors". Loi

[Don Railton]

Hi Morkel,

I would be pretty happy with this too.. I like the comp and that mouth..! I might have made it a little darker / stronger in contrast, but then it would have been wrong..

regards

DON


DON

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

I love how the light BG accentuates the darker animal's body, Morkel! I might have brought down the exposure just a touch, but it's beautiful as is. As usual with something coming from you - well done!

[Marc Mol]

Understand your 4-5 framing here Morkel, with the dilemma of keeping all the legs in but leaving a central placement, so this works for me,
like the pose and tone treatment, might just bring a tad more shadow back under the darker mane area, but not a deal breaker,
the other area of note is when making large adjustments to the yellow slider/filter it tends to make the eyes a little unnatural, and something I notice in my B&W conv as well, but can easily live with it.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - I really like the toning, though like Marc my initial reaction was that the eyes look a little strange. For me though the crop is too in between - not tight enough or not wide enough. I also think the mouth area can use a little more selective sharpening.

TFS,
Rachel

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dear Morkel,

I love this, the crop and presentation really work for me. Great detail too. Would like to say I would love a bit more contrast, but judging by my B/W conversions, I should keep quiet and learn from you The eyes do have a slightly glassy look but I kind of like the effect you have achieved, I am drawn to these eyes. Great work Morkel, I think you should give me some lessons in B/W conversions but not sure I can afford it...

Warmest regards, a great evening,

[Andre Pretorius]

Hi Morkel

Comp works, bit tight, rule of thirds works.

The eyes seems bit yellow for Monochrome conversion, unless that's what you intended.

Would suggest more of your famous D&B on right check.

Nice older guy with not many scars, easier life in Sabi Sands?

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for your thoughts, folks.
Muzzle is pretty sharp at f8 - perhaps just a contrast/texture issue in the conversion...?