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Hi Rachel, When male lions get the age of about two years their mane starts to grow....Slightly woolly on the side of the neck and a little tuft on top... This guy looks somewhere between two and a half and three years of age...
His nose also carries some light scars which are probably administered by his siblings in their mock fighting, which is the regular behaviour and a prelude for when he will be tested for real by competing males...
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Hi Tim, Welcome to BPN. I am aware that this is how most male lions' manes grow in. I was trying to bring a bit of humor with the title and intro but I guess it back-fired. This particular male is already out of the pride and formed a coalition with an older male.
Btw since BPN is a photography website, what do you think of the image? We encourage comments to be critiques of the images. They don't need to be technical, just tell the poster what you like or don't like about the image. Looking forward to your participation and posting of images.
Thanks again,
Rachel
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Hi Rachel. I am sorry if I appeared patronising, but it certainly wasn't intended that way.
My sincere apologies.. I just added the information for interest only, as very often 'Togs just publish shots without any explanation which adds interest.
I guess it is a habit I have grown into because it has worked for me in places like my Google+ page.
As for the shot, you have ticked all the boxes....Eyes of birds or animals with a catch-light are always great.....Unfortunately lions have that cold expressionless look about them and if you can capture expression it is a big bonus...
Because shots such as this, and especially when shot at that time of day, it is no fault of yours, but the colour range is limited at that time.... May I respectfully suggest that you convert this into B+W and pump up the contrast...
I don't know what software you use? I use Light Room 5.7 and a few Topaz plug-ins....
When converting to B+W I do it on LR first, then test some of their pre-sets to get to your liking and then look at some Topaz Clarity and Topaz Adjust pre-sets.... Then just play around until you get a dramatic shot from what would usually be just a "nice"....
Always happy to offer constructive input if asked....
I hope I have been constructive and that you take this in the good spirit in which it has been sincerely intended...
https://plus.google.com/u/0/109326676218981982431/posts
tim@rhinoarmy.org
Last edited by Tim Driman; 01-20-2015 at 10:20 AM.
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Hi Tim, no offense taken and it is fine to interject bits about the behavior or nature depicted so long as we also cover the photography and more technical aspects too. I use CCPS and do most of my conversions in ACR these days. Unlike a lot of the other BPN members, I am not a fan of LR and have it but don't use it. I just don't like the interface as much as I like PS. I occasionally use the Nik plug-ins but prefer to do minimal adjustments, keeping my image more true to the scene as I remember it. My mantra when it comes to pp is that "less is more."
B&W might be a good alternative here but there also may not be enough tonal variation. I may have a play around with it later. I do my B&W conversions in either PS or in Nik Silver Efex.
Thanks again,
Rachel
Last edited by Rachel Hollander; 01-20-2015 at 09:58 AM.
Reason: Added part about software for B&W
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Hi Rachel, it was the older, larger male that went for me if you remember, this guy was always sitting in the wings under a shady tree.
I think we both went for tighter crops for this, nothing much left, but without looking through the archives I would agree that tonally the image looks a little flat, but good detail. I think the FF works with the central, head on POV. I think the new upgrade will also crank up the overall IQ and content.
TFS
Steve
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The eye contact and raised head really raise this shot up above a lot of lion shots, and makes it connect with the viewer. For obvious reasons we don't often see low POV shots!
The hair is just a nice added extra to an already excellent shot
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Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. I'll play around with a b&w conversion.
Steve - yes, it was his coalition partner who had his mind on mating that charged you but this guy seems to be looking slightly to my right so where you were. It must have been something about your cologne that day.
Andreas - see, now Anette gave you a nickname but I don't think it is one that you want to use.
We'll have to come up with something else.
Thanks again,
Rachel
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Hi Rachel, That is so cool!
I should just warn you that I am technically challenged...
I just slink the easy route and then do the tweeking to get waht I need...
The more I do it the more I enjoy the B+W route these days..... But you have to have the appropriate shot to start with...
Well done.
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Did you feed him after midnight? :D
Great portrait. In most circumstances I would be tempted to say the face could be lightened up but this really puts the lion into the shadows where they are usually found resting
Lovely details on the mane and fur. I prefer the colour version on this image
TFS
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Thanks Tim, Shane and Steve. I much prefer the color version here. Steve, sorry but I think you backed off too much. Perhaps somewhere in between the two but as I said I much prefer the color. This is not an image I would have converted but for the suggestions to do so.
Thanks again,
Rachel
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Hello Rachel,
I cannot think of a better name for this character, and despite the serious look on this lion's face that cute hairdo makes me smile:) They are so beautiful and mischievous at this age...
I prefer the colour version, there's nice detail overall but especially in the blacks of the mane, despite the shade. You shot this so well, I like the DOF. I think the colour is spot-on and I am glad you did not lighten up the face too much - having seen a lot of lions in the shade of a tree I completely agree with you, this is "true to the scene" and I so like your thoughtful processing. The framing works for me, as you know I like to get close and IMO a portrait is always more intimate, revealing more about the subject - in this particular case emphasising the expression and that fixed gaze on the lion's face.
Lovely image Rachel, and the little grasses in the FG frame the subject well - reminds me of a sighting where I had to wait a long time for a tiny breeze to move a couple of grass blades away from the face of my lion:)
Enjoyed viewing, thank you so much for sharing:)
Warmest regards,
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Rachel color for me , which works nice
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Thanks Gabriela and Andreas, much appreciated.
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Punk? Too funny! But he might need a a few skull tattoos for the street cred. :)
The color version is great. Nicely done. Not sure, did you work the eyes at all? I'm wondering if a light touch of curves in the irises might bring out a bit more pop.
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Thanks Ed, nope, no work selectively on the eyes here.
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Howzit Morkel...Thanks buddy....Good to see you here also.
I found this site by accident when I came across Arthur Morris....Very glad I did as these guys offer the post shoot "techie" stuff which really challenges me....
When are you back in the bush?
Tim
www.timdrimanphotography.co.za
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Dear Rachel, I like the colour and the B&W....they give me a different perception of the same fellow, a true punk rocker! TFS
Kind regards, Charleen
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Hi Rachel, a bit late to your party, but a great portrait of the lion. Good DOF, the finer detail stands out nicely, and of course showing off the mohawk cut works well. Love the hint of flies, typical african bush. I prefer your OP colour version.
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Also prefer the color version. Subtle color but a nice tone for me. He does seem to be in that awkward looking teen phase, doesn't he.
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Thanks Morkel, Charleen, Stu and Steve for the comments. Have a great weekend.
Rachel