Down she goes

[Morkel Erasmus]

We waited patiently for over an hour for this lioness to descend her tree in the Mara Triangle two weeks ago. It was a tough call on where to position the vehicle, as this spot we chose would have the best outline of her against the trunk, but a spot further around our left would have a pleasing "mountain" backdrop instead of bright sky (this shot is facing west with the sun setting behind an overcast sky). The "B" position however, would have her descending away from our shooting plane. We chose this one. Well, each of our 4 vehicles chose a different spot so at least people on our safari got different perspectives on this .

I processed this quite quickly and would like to spend more time on it. With the sky high key something in me wants it monochrome, however I like the colours that did come through.
Your thoughts are most welcome. Pretty much full frame as posted - we had a lot of time to pick our "static comp" for the comedown sequence .

Techs:
Nikon D4s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 | 1/640 SS | ISO-3200

PS: This lioness is a legend. We found her in trees twice on this safari and twice last year as well. Granted she always picks them slanted like this, but a lion in a tree is a lion in a tree

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - I really love the image design here with the curve of the tree. For me, the slight sunset colors of the sky works well. Any chance you have a frame with the lioness slightly higher on the tree so that the head has a little more separation from the tree at the horizon (since I know we have the same feeling about cloning)? It's great when an image we envision actually pans out and the animal cooperates. Btw she looks skinny. Hopefully, she had a successful hunt that evening.

TFS,
Rachel

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Fascinating image Morkel, I love the image design, the colours of the sky and the well positioned descending lioness. Great stuff!

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

I think you chose well Morkel - a mountain background can't be as beautiful as this soft pink-ish sky. And I'm sure it highlights the outline of the lion much better too. The tree alone against such BG would already make a beautiful shot so the descending lioness is a perfect bonus!

[Marc Mol]

I like this a lot mate, the soft pink sky really makes this a colour version for me, but could see how a monchrome would work.
The position of the lion and the arched tree makes a great composition, but wondered, like Rachel if you have her just 1 frame back to clear the treed BG, not a huge deal anyway.

Would be most pleased to have this in my files!

TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks folks!
Rachel and Marc, yes I got the whole sequence but her poses further up were not as pleasing "body-ouline" wise to me. Will have a look again. Her feet were also somewhat hidden behind the curve of the trunk further up. To me the treeline is not distracting as it would have been to have the actual horizon bisecting her.

[Marc Mol]

To me the treeline is not distracting as it would have been to have the actual horizon bisecting her.

Quite true and a pertinent point.

[Loi Nguyen]

Morkel, love the image composition and the pink sky. Just a thought, have you tried to lower the exposure to get more of the pink sky colors with the lioness in silhouette? Loi

[Dumay de Boulle]

Well designed mate. I absolutely love this one!

[Anette Mossbacher]

Hi Morkel, very well composed, love it from all sides. I don t mind the BG in this image at all, I love the pose of her how she gets down the tree. The pink sky looks good to me, might would push it a bit more, when you have more time to spend on this image.
B&W a yes for me :))

Have a great eve

Ciao Anette

[Steve Kaluski]

Nicely frame Morkel, good choice on the frame to avoid the subject & skyline. Love the curvature f the tree.

Hope to see the stalking leopard or battered Lion at some point too.

TFS
Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for your kind comments, friends!

Hope to see the stalking leopard or battered Lion at some point too.

Patience, good man!

[Steve Canuel]

Nicely composed and a good call to keep the soft color. Gives it a nice mood.