I have this "need" to show you my images even when I know they're not my best - maybe I just love the Kalahari and the creatures in it too much... Something tells me I'll get a lot of crits for this but I am thinking it must be a good thing - after all I am here to improve and learn new things. One great thing about BPN Wildlife is, it constantly humbles me.
So here it goes - a very special moment, although the image was taken in the shade of a tree and the sun was hiding between the clouds - not the best conditions for photography...I just love the way those youngsters interact and stay close to each other, most probably they will continue doing so even when they are chased away from the clan, which is I think soon...they will hunt together and stick with their own, groom and play and sleep close to each other like they did when they were tiny cubs - what a special bond lions have!
Those youngsters are Fred's offspring, by the way. "Mean Old Fred" is no longer alive I am afraid, we met him in 2009 for the first time and saw him again and again around the Mata Mata area (Kalahari) over the years, the last time we photographed him was sometime in March last year. He was not really mean, although he did acquire this mean look about him as he grew older. The last time we saw him he was quite frail and my guess is he only survived for so long thanks to his faithful female who is a hunter second to none. He fathered lots of young and lived to about 16 years of age, which is quite amazing, considering how unforgiving the Kalahari is...
I love it, Gabriela! Amazing that these creatures can be as lovingly one moment as they can be vicious beasts the next. One can see that at the moment they are looking for comfort and protection from one another but their day will come when they rule a pack of their own with vigour!
That's wonderful image Gabriela. The raised tail adds beauty to this composition and the third lion's leaning head towards the sibling brings a feel to the image. Nice composition overall. TFS.
I think this is a fantastic image, not sure why you think its in for lots of crit. Sure, going into a fantasy world where you can approach lions on foot and wait for them to pose at will, then maybe the horizon line would not be going through the leading lions face, but for me there is far more to this image.
The bond you mention is clear for all to see with the head angles, the mirroring tails, the kicked up dust - there are many pleasing aspects to this shot and I'd be more than happy to have shot this frame
Lovely interaction captured here and I really like the raised paw and tails. Good detail and the blacks pop nicely. Is this FF? If not, I would add a bit more space to the LHS for the lions to "walk into". Great work, Gabriela!
Hi My dear little sister ,
i really would love this a lot ........... if i could blend out the BG . for me the BG really is causing K...!
The rest is just beautiful , very nice conversion with good tonal range and the interaction is priceless .great timing in capture i missed that by coming late ....... again .
No option to do something with the BG ?
BTW i am fine with the comp
The things that bothered me most here were the BG (yes Andreas, I agree with you entirely) and then the first lion leaning away and not quite "in line" with the others ( a slight tilt of the head which is undesirable but nothing I can do about it).
No space on the LHS and this is almost full frame, there was another sibling running behind them at the time but when I realised he would not catch up with the others I quickly reframed. I have not touched that white BG yet, been thinking of ways to deal with it and if I find something that works I shall RP. I might also add some space on the LHS Mark, thanks for your suggestion:)
Hi Gabriela just got it , will not process , but there is too much detail that can be used in the BG , a shame to loose it .Very tricky to get rid of the fourth , you did relatively well , but some kind of sloppy . think YOU can do better , image is worth the effort .
Andreas, will see what I can do...eish, so little time...too many pics in too many folders, and already busy packing for the next trip Rosetta and cub waiting for me...do you have a grey card we could borrow?
Nice poses and tonal range here, Gabriela. Splendid Kalahari moment!
I'm with Andreas on the BG - for me it needs to be either all white (ie white from the baseline where they trot upward, a la fine art so that the lion bodies aren't split by the BG separation of layers) or actual BG recovered (if Andreas says you can recover detail, you must try!).
There's lots to be done to this image and I have started afresh last night but did not finish. It might take me a little while but you will see the results. I am actually enjoying doing this RP, the original is a bit problematic because there's quite a bit of the fourth lion at the back of those three - I did not mention it on purpose because I wanted to see if any of you would notice the bit of "surgery" I did there. I will post the image re-worked and a copy of the original for you to compare.
I have not done many B/W conversions, still finding my feet so please be patient with me:)
Morkel - I get the idea re. BG, it makes sense. Let me see what I can do:))
Hi Gabriela, seeing the 'softer' side of lion, with nice interaction. I like the almost hi key look & feel to the image. As an alternative I might look to softening the horizon line so it blends in more, I find it a little harsh compared to the overall content, WDYT?
Thank you very much Steve, I really appreciate your time to view as well as your advice. I played around with this image last night and found a few ways to deal with the horizon line but not entirely happy with the results, still working on it. Will definitely try your suggestion
Brotherhood
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, a shame to loose it .Very tricky to get rid of the fourth , you did relatively well , but some kind of sloppy 
