Hi Ben - Great action but looks like you had too much lens for it. It seems like the light was already a bit harsh but well handled. There's definitely the sense of pandemonium of a predator's charge through the herd. I like the kicked up dirt and water. I'm surprised that you didn't up the ISO to get more ss with the action. Like with my wild dog image sometimes with a fixed lens it is impossible to avoid the partial animals at the edges. Here they add to the sense of scattering but I wish that you had more of them in the frame. I bet you do too. I would back off on the sharpening of the fg rocks and grasses.
Great timing Ben, love the frantic sense of panic in this scene, I gather this was F/F?
Agree with Rachel on the scope for more SS could have been implemented, but understand if this was a case of split second reaction, also agree on reducing the sharpening in the left FG.
Intense moment! It seems your focus was on the wildebeest in front? Always a challenge deciding whether to focus on the predator or prey. I can imagine the splashes would also have interfered with pinpoint AF accuracy in the fenzy. What's the back-story here, Ben? Which waterhole, how long did you sit for this?
It was close to Halali. I saw some wildebeest on the horizon and wanted to take a photograph. When we arrived at the waterhole, we saw 2 female lions in the reeds close to the water. The water was in front of the lions. A few springbok came to drink but the lions were not interested. The group of wildebeest then arrived. They were at the waters edge and then this lioness charged. This was the 5th photo in the sequence, she charged in our direction, hence the too much lens situation. She missed but a 3rd lioness was behind the others and she chased one wildebeest back in our direction. They chased the wildebeest for 30 meters and killed it about 30 m from my vehicle. Then 2 disasters, 1. camera lock up?? card problem and 2. they were directly in in the sun-totally over exposed backgrounds! Got a few with the 100-400 on the backup 20D but overexposed background. The 3rd lioness was severely injured, could barely walk-stabbed by horns in buttock and side.
Then the cherry on top, I wanted to move my vehicle and caravan so others could also observe the lioness but my cars battery was dead. I had to get out and get somebody as brave or as stupid as I to jumpstart my vehicle. Only to realise then that my friend was at the back with a flat tyre that we had to replace. In spite of all this, an amazing experience, the photos not fantastic but that is secondary to the sight we had.
I agree with the comments. Not much I could do, the chase and commotion lasted for 5-8 seconds until the wildebeest was on the ground. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.
Ben
Nothing more frustrating than equipment failing to work when needed most! I looked at your EXIF and saw ISO 320 and 1/200s-ouch! So sorry Ben, a fantastic sighting but unfortunately just about everything was against you. From your story above I gather you had a little bit of time to assess the situation, I so wish you upped the ISO anticipating some action and the possibility of subjects moving from sun to shade, etc. Great intensity and I love the mud splash and dust raising under the feet of the wildebeest, my guess is you were aiming at the lioness charging but the splash prevented your camera from focusing? Quite an experience and I thank you for sharing it with us, I wish you many more sightings on your travels and hope everything works in your favour next time!
Hi Ben, incredible action shot. Must have been awesome to be there. Unfortunately this one is a little too busy IMO and does not really work for me. Look forward to seeing more. TFS
Hi Ben , very powerful image must have been great to see this.
But from the photographic/artistic POV it is not working for me , just too many technical issues .