Carnivore

[Marc Mol]

This lioness had been feeding on a Gnu she and her sisters had killed before dawn close to Lake Ndutu- Nth Tanzania.
With her open mouth and jaws displayed, she looks more menancing than appears, but it's simply a lip-smacking moment.
Not a fan of square crops in nature photography, but felt it did it justice in this case.
I deliberately left the ear out, as my intention was a close focus on the eyes & jaw, my square crop was from the RHS. Some might prefer to have the ear included and I do have many frames with it in, but not with the open licking.


D4 500 f/4VRII 1/200s f/4 ISO6400, the light was once again at a premium. Bean bag from front pax seat, lumo mask, levels, curves adj & WB in ACR & PS CC.

C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Marc this is in the face !!! Like this !!
Though i just ask does it need to be that saturated ?
From the D4 i would expect finer details and less noise , even at 6400

TFS Andreas

[Gregor Bergquist]

Hi Marc

This is good! Very strong, and the red blood makes a perfect contrast to the saturated green background. I like that.
There is quite a bit noice in the background, that could you work with if you like. I don't think it is that disturbing. I though agree with Andreas details is not 100%. How much did you crop this? Or is it because of some micro-movments?

TFS Gregor

[Marc Mol]

Thanks Andreas & Gregor.

Hi Marc this is in the face !!! Like this !!
Though i just ask does it need to be that saturated ?
From the D4 i would expect finer details and less noise , even at 6400

TFS Andreas

S/S greater than 1/200s would have been preferable for sure, and my ACR settings for sat was 0 and vibrance at 30 for this (and the majority of my images).
I find the BG reasonable for ISO6400 considering no NR was used.

Hi Marc

This is good! Very strong, and the red blood makes a perfect contrast to the saturated green background. I like that.
There is quite a bit noice in the background, that could you work with if you like. I don't think it is that disturbing. I though agree with Andreas details is not 100%. How much did you crop this? Or is it because of some micro-movments?

TFS Gregor

The cropping was pretty much from 4:6 to 4:4, with just the RHS removed.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Marc , color is as always matter taste !!
BKG is fine with noise , the subject does look somehow grainy , for me .My thinking was the D4 is that great with Iso performance !

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Marc - Definitely a close up! I like the comp and don't think it needs the ear at all. Square crop works too. Good observations made by Andreas and Gregor above.

TFS,
Rachel

[Anette Mossbacher]

Not much to say on this one, but that is a close up, wow, looks great to me, Marc. All said already.
enjoy your eve

Ciao Anette

[Morkel Erasmus]

Digging the red/green contrast here Marc. Good expression and overall comp (not missing the ear this side either).
I agree the face has lost some sharpness with the 1/200 SS, high ISO performance seems good though I'm not sure if you boosted clarity on the lioness at all in ACR?