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Thread: Lion Family on the Waters Edge

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    Default Lion Family on the Waters Edge

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    4 Tours to Tanzania have been very good to me. Virtually a dream come true since I was about 5, when I started watching Johnny Weissmuller in Tarzan.

    Tanzania is spectacular. No fences anywhere, nothing captive, nothing "set up", no feeding culling, etc. The real thing. To be able to enter a park, you need to ride
    with a guide who has a 3 year collage degree, accepted by the National Parks. I would never settle for anything less. We go again for the Mara crossings in Prime time this summer, the
    crocs should be hungry! I will post another image from that place later on.

    There were about 12 safari trucks watching this family late pm, deep in the woods. When the family headed for the water, all the other trucks followed them - to the Wrong side of the water.
    My guide thought I was nuts when I said turn Left!!! I had to say it 3 times.

    The attached was the result of some anticipation. To me, understanding the wildlife, seeing and knowing what they are planning is one of the best assets a photographer can have.
    Besides the total and 100% commitment to respecting these creatures. They have given me so much, I cannot help but sit back, admire, and respect them - always.

    As for this image.. I was thinking a tighter crop, putting the eyes in the top third?

    Plus., I did clone out a branch in the bg.

    Thanks for looking.
    1/125s f/4.5 at 290.0mm iso400


    D300+2-400 1

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Love the low POV, and resultant reflection, pity that there's always one who won't play ball, normally it's one of the offspring.
    Happy with the framing here and feel it's more important to have the majority of the bodies in frame.

    Good sensible anticipation Ray, have been in that same situation myself many times, which for me is another reason to have your own vehicle (where possible) to avoid conflict with other guests

    Tanzania holds a special place for me also, have you ventured to Ruaha NP, if not I can highly recommend it.


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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Dear Raymond,

    First of all, I am truly impressed with your anticipation and understanding of lion behaviour, as well as respect for wildlife.

    I like what you have captured and I do understand it is quite difficult to have all characters cooperate and get the perfect shot. Somehow I find it quite charming in this instance, that the lioness has her eyes closed - it shows the degree of pleasure she is taking as she drinks... her kids are safe and near, safe for tonight anyway...everyone looks well fed and in good condition, so wonderful...

    If this lovely image were mine I would probably experiment with a more pano crop as in taking a bit off the top, just above the young ones' backs. I am tempted to retain the full reflection in the water, perhaps darken it for more impact.

    I somehow wish you pushed the ISO for more shutter speed, since you had some time to experiment while they were busy drinking - the end result would have been an even sharper image and you could afford to go for higher F-stop, so more DOF.

    Would certainly love to see more from you and I am sure you have some surprises in your folders:) Kindly accept my comments on your images as mere suggestions - I truly mean well and am fully aware that you and others might have a different opinion, this is just my view... I would be happy to receive your critique on my images as well.

    I really appreciate this post from you, enjoyed viewing, love lions...

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Quote Originally Posted by Marc Mol View Post
    Love the low POV, and resultant reflection, pity that there's always one who won't play ball, normally it's one of the offspring.
    Happy with the framing here and feel it's more important to have the majority of the bodies in frame.

    Good sensible anticipation Ray, have been in that same situation myself many times, which for me is another reason to have your own vehicle (where possible) to avoid conflict with other guests

    Tanzania holds a special place for me also, have you ventured to Ruaha NP, if not I can highly recommend it.
    Yes, we have 3 people in a safari truck max, lots of room, and happy guests. I have not been to Ruaha... and I will investigate. Please send me your images/website to this place?

    ray@raymondbarlow.com

    thanks!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gabriela Plesea View Post
    Dear Raymond,

    First of all, I am truly impressed with your anticipation and understanding of lion behaviour, as well as respect for wildlife.

    I like what you have captured and I do understand it is quite difficult to have all characters cooperate and get the perfect shot. Somehow I find it quite charming in this instance, that the lioness has her eyes closed - it shows the degree of pleasure she is taking as she drinks... her kids are safe and near, safe for tonight anyway...everyone looks well fed and in good condition, so wonderful...

    If this lovely image were mine I would probably experiment with a more pano crop as in taking a bit off the top, just above the young ones' backs. I am tempted to retain the full reflection in the water, perhaps darken it for more impact.

    I somehow wish you pushed the ISO for more shutter speed, since you had some time to experiment while they were busy drinking - the end result would have been an even sharper image and you could afford to go for higher F-stop, so more DOF.

    Would certainly love to see more from you and I am sure you have some surprises in your folders:) Kindly accept my comments on your images as mere suggestions - I truly mean well and am fully aware that you and others might have a different opinion, this is just my view... I would be happy to receive your critique on my images as well.

    I really appreciate this post from you, enjoyed viewing, love lions...

    Kind regards,
    Thanks for your kind thoughts.

    The D300 has its limits with iso... also, this scene with all 4 drinking lasted about 5 seconds! Not much time to play!
    I enjoy all suggestions, and appreciate your time to look, and comment. I will check out your work, but I leave soon for India, so time is not readily available.. lots to do!

    best wishes!

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Raymond - Great positioning to get them drinking and almost all looking up. You did well in the quick opportunity and with the somewhat slow ss. To me it felt a little light and bright as well as a bit too red. I know you don't like to do a lot in pp but this was about 10 seconds. A quick curves adjustment to darken, particularly the midtones, masking the lions at 50% opacity. I also dropped the reds -10 in a hue/sat layer. WDYT?

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    Lifetime Member Ákos Lumnitzer's Avatar
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    Great to read about the situation Ray!
    I would probably crop in a little from the right, but it's not a biggie.
    A very spectacular scene mate!
    Well done. Looking forward to more Africa pictures.

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    Hi Raymond, what a thrill to see this pride drinking at the water hole. I like the reflection in the watre and if it were mine, I would have cropped it symmetrical to and bottom to show the symmetry. TFS. Loi

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    Quote Originally Posted by Rachel Hollander View Post
    Hi Raymond - Great positioning to get them drinking and almost all looking up. You did well in the quick opportunity and with the somewhat slow ss. To me it felt a little light and bright as well as a bit too red. I know you don't like to do a lot in pp but this was about 10 seconds. A quick curves adjustment to darken, particularly the midtones, masking the lions at 50% opacity. I also dropped the reds -10 in a hue/sat layer. WDYT?

    TFS,
    Rachel
    Awesome. Thanks. I will try another edit soon, and seen if you all like it.

    I have never done a layer, never adusted mid-tones, don't have a clue how to drop the reds!, so anyhow, maybe some day I will learn, but not likely!

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    Thanks to everyone! Maybe my monitor is cranked up a little too bright, anyhow, the latest edition of the Lion Family. Now, I am not sure I like the
    "virtual center-line!" O well! Also, maybe a little too tight on the heads. Just thinking out-loud.

    Thanks for the help!

    Name:  _DSC7509 Lion Family on the Waters Edge 1200 web  .jpg
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    Name:  _DSC7509 Lion Family on the Waters Edge 1200 3 web  .jpg
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    Ok, last try for tonight, sorry if this is too much messing around.

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    Hi Raymond -- You have done so well with that slow SS and pulled out a beautiful image !! I have always dreamed to get the same with tigers and when that opportunity will arise i will surely implement with the things that i learned from this post ! I also liked your version in pane number 10 !

    I wish u all the very best for your next Indian outing !!

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    Quote Originally Posted by haseeb badar View Post
    Hi Raymond -- You have done so well with that slow SS and pulled out a beautiful image !! I have always dreamed to get the same with tigers and when that opportunity will arise i will surely implement with the things that i learned from this post ! I also liked your version in pane number 10 !

    I wish u all the very best for your next Indian outing !!
    Thanks Kindly, I will be at RTR in a few days, very much looking fwd to the tour!

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