Mating at Sunrise

[Jay Shah]

Earlier this month when I was at Masai Mara, it seemed like peak season for lions mating. I already had a few images with mating in front light. So for this image I asked the driver to position the vehicle in such a way that I could get back lit image. Is it working? what could be done to improve? C&C appreciated.


Nikon D850 Tamron 70-200 mm f/2.8
110 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 s, ISO 1400.

[Dumay de Boulle]

I really like this image. I may have tried to move the lions more right and get the whole Acacia ​in. But still a lovely image telling a wonderful story.

[Jonathan Ashton]

I like the image as it is, if you wanted to try something just to see the results I would suggest dodge and burn the grasses to get a little expression into the ground. The rim lighting on the lions could be enhanced just a tiny bit?

[Jay Shah]

Hi Jon, what would you suggest I try to increase rim light?

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Jay - I like the image but I think it was a little too late for a traditional backlit image. It doesn't look like there was sufficient light hitting the lions to create a strong rimlight effect. What I would have tried for in the field was to get a vantage point low enough to have the lions more in silhouette against the setting sun and the vibrant colors of the sunset. Sometimes though the habitat just doesn't cooperate. You did well here to retain detail against the similarly colored bg. I just wish the road wasn't intersecting the lions. I agree that having the whole tree also would have enhanced this image.

TFS,
Rachel

[Jay Shah]

There was some shift in color at the left edge that is why I decided to crop. But the original does have entire tree and I would try to keep it intact in the next interation. Thanks for your comments.

[Rachel Hollander]

Whoops Jay. I just realized this was sunrise not sunset. So in that case it was too early rather than too late. You needed to wait for the shafts of light to start to hit the lions. Getting lower and against the sunrise colors for a silhouette would be the alternative.

Sorry about the confusion,
Rachel

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hi Jon, what would you suggest I try to increase rim light?

Initially I would try a luminosity mask, if that didn't work I would try Select Color, I am only suggesting a tiny increase.

[John Mack]

Greta frame. Love the light in that sky. Nice and sharp. The behavior is something i have not seen on here. Good job.

[haseeb badar]

HI Jay -- I really liked the scene and your thought process behind getting this image, but can't agree with what Rachel has to say . Keep the wonderful images coming from your Mara trip.

TFS !

[Steve Kaluski]

Nice image Jay, but don't forget you can post bigger.

TFS
Steve

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

I like the thinking here Jay and it works mostly, I would have liked the Acacia 'in' fully and lifting the exposure on the lions and FG a bit. TFS.

[Jay Shah]

Thank you all for viewing and comments. Much appreicated.

Steve, I have not changed anything from my side. But image did seem small when I posted. Don't know why, but will pay extra attention for the next one.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jay, are you exporting from LR? If so, in EXPORT dialogue box just change the X or Y output ie 1600px long, 1200px high which I think is more that sufficient. You can then keep to 400ppi. If you are worried about sharpening then Exp from LR at the OUTOUT size, sharpness flatten Save for Web, job done.

Seems a lot of folk are struggling on this stage, drop me a line if you are.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Jay a nice romantic shot .....
Works for me ...just wish you had not cut off the Acacia tree ....
TFS Andreas

[Jay Shah]

Hi Steve, I thought size limit here was 1200 px long or 900 mm H. Now that you have clarified it is 1600 and 1200 px and X&Y resply, I will have no problem submitting bigger frame. I use PS (export to web). Thanks for your continual guidance.

[Steve Kaluski]

I thought size limit here was 1200 px long or 900 mm H.

Indeed Jay, yes things sadly have not been updated. As I said, I personally find 1600px more than adequate on the long edge and 1200px on the short edge, dipping the KB under 600 (595KB) seems to avoid issues. Look forward to seeing the next image in the series.

Cheers
Steve