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Thread: In the Darkness

  1. #1
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    Default In the Darkness

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    A namadic male lion lies alert in the darkness, listening to the calls of another pride in the distance.

    Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

    Light source, spotlight shone from another vehicle.

    Camera
    NIKON D3S

    Focal Length
    350mm

    Shutter
    1/80 s

    Aperture
    f/5

    ISO
    3200

  2. #2
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Brendon, the pose always seems to reflect a 'regal' beast, and this one, almost aloof with the HA.

    Overall I like the framing, however I think a sliver more at the foot would be good, I personally feel it's just a tad too tight, as the subject needs to rest on something . I like the B/W with a colour rim light (as per your previous images), but again, personal feeling, a straight B/W is a little to stark, but this is just my take. Maybe having some mid ground 'tone' on this side of the face might help, the blacks/whites are quite dominant and so any retained detail is lost. I appreciate the techs and why, but maybe easing things may balance out the strong portrayal???? Is this done with SilverEfex?

    TFS
    Steve

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    Hi Brendon, this is a captivating image, great 'mood' so to speak. I like the 'aloof' look as Steve put it. The B&W works well I think. TFS.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hi Brendon,

    This is awesome! I read the comments above and agree with Steve on the need for a bit more space at the bottom, however my next thoughts are " Brendon must have had good reason to crop it like this (stuff at the bottom of the image he did not like) or perhaps he never cropped at all". I like this for various reasons - to mention just one, it triggers a special memory of myself and Andre watching Charlie-Ash the male lion of Rooiputs clan lying under a tree beneath the moonlit sky.

    Well processed, yet I would try some different versions also with a bit of toning (if I remember well Rachel used "coffee" toning on one of her lion portraits to great effect).

    Thanks Brendon, I enjoyed viewing

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Good pose and techs here Brendon, but not one of your best IMO, I'm sure I've seen this in colour elsewhere and much preferred that, just my preference.


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    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
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    Hi Brendon,

    love the overall look and how the lion sits in the frame. I might would throw in some sepia or so, the black in black here is for me a tad to much. Just my opinion on the B&W.
    I had it in PS I also would push down a bit the highlights under the nose, this catch my eye all the time! Just a thought

    Ciao
    Anette

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Brendon - Interesting to see a toned spot lit image. I'm not sure I've seen one before so excellent for experimenting. I thought it was more of an "are you looking at me?" pose than an aloof one. I do think it is a little stark with some detail lost, particularly in the highlights on the face. I would try to bring those back slightly. Yes, a little more room below if you have it but not a deal breaker for me. I really like the lit grasses in front.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Yes to regal and stark. And yes to a bit more room below. For me the lion is a bit over-processed with a bit too much texture in the fur. But you really do need to ask what I know about this stuff. Not much. Love the posture and the basic image design.
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