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Thread: Machaton Male Lion

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Default Machaton Male Lion

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    As many of you know, on my past trips I had some fantastic leopard sightings and photographic opportunities. On my most recent trip, it seemed that the lions far outnumbered the leopards and provided much better photo opportunities. (I did see several leopards but they were not as cooperative this trip.) I photographed this Machaton Male Lion in the Timbavati Game Reserve. He was under a bush eating a young buffalo carcass that he stole from hyenas. There were at least 13 hyenas basically surrounding him and hoping to regain their kill but still keeping their distance.

    The lion's (Panthera leo) status on the IUCN Red List is "vulnerable."

    Canon 5D3
    300 f2.8 II
    1/4000
    f6.7
    ISO 1600
    Monopod from safari vehicle, ff, darkened areas that were not sunlit, levels, curves, selective sharpening in CCPS.

    C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

    Rachel

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    Hi Rachel, I like the interplay of shadows and light here. Very good detail and sinister stare from the lion. TFS.

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  4. #3
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel, I really like the idea, but feel I want more below and less above. I would try to vary the the darkness in tonal regions to create more depth, it just looks too flat and a bit 'processed' in it's look & feel to my eyes, sorry.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Hi Rachel -- I liked the concept but I am completely on the same page with Steve , as it is not appearing as natural as it could well have been also the clipped paw at the bottom is a bit bothersome here .

    TFS !

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  8. #5
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks guys. I can play with it a bit more. I used the radial filter to darken the areas so can try a few other things to vary it a bit more tonally.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    I like the light/shading across the face Rachel,

    but I'm wondering if it might work best if you completely darken the darks for the BG foliage and reduce the shadow on the lions face by another stop for more impact?

    TFS


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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Rachel I also feel you could lose some off the top - good key lighting effect here, and could work well in mono too?
    Good suggestion by Marc for some tweaks...
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  11. #8
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Marc and Morkel. Marc - I like your suggestion. I'll give it a try.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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