Last Sunday I was spoilt with a morning game drive and extremely lucky to come across this beautiful lioness. I only found out today that she has two little cubs, they are about three months old and she is hiding them away, hope to see them soon.
Image was taken at 7:30 am. Could not make use of the bean bag so I rested the lens on my folded knee as the subject walked past the open vehicle. She got very close and had a bit of fright when she heard the shutter, almost started to run but then decided to slow down again. So I only managed a couple of frames
My companion and I spent the entire morning following this lioness at some distance, she was hunting and busy stalking zebra and wildebeest. We really enjoyed the behaviour we were witnessing, at times I put my camera down and watched her disappear in long grass, only to pop up after a while in the most unexpected places.
I still cannot believe how close she got to a zebra foal, but for some reason she decided to give it a miss... I guess one is more careful when there are little ones at home waiting
Nikon D5
Nikon 500F4
ISO 3200
F10
1/1600s
Thank you so much for viewing and your kind comments on my previous images, much appreciated.
Hi Gabriela, loving this 'in your face, I mean business' shot. Perfect DoF, glad you upped it and not kept to f/8 .
An awesome encounter would of which I would love to have been there. The tight portrait works, albeit a fraction more above would be good IMHO. Overall the light I find one direction, so it's a bit flat tonally, however... keep it light on the LHS and warm, darken the RHS so the Contrast plays with one another. You have both the tools and know how, but for me this calls for bold, rich and strong, amplifying the scene and for once, being a little 'artistic' I think.
I know this is a departure from the OP, but hope it may make sense, just my take as I'm not saying this is a definitive, it can't be, it's just to expand and show a direction and if it's too rich or dark etc... it's only my take/suggestion.
I absolutely love your RP, thank you Steve for taking the time I will see if I can apply the same treatment to another frame I have of this lioness, this is very dramatic, my cuppa
Great frame. This portrait is right on. Nice pose and sharp as a tack. The depth of field looks nice as well. Side lighting works very well. Love the look in those eyes. Well done.
Photography is art. We're playing - or painting - with light, Steve We are not removing, nor adding elements that weren't there. Exaggerating things a little every now and then, but in literature it's the same, sometimes you have to push things to make a point
Hi Gabriela -- One of the best lion images posted here in recent times. Right into the face and the eyes are so powerful. I liked your OP but Steve's RP definitely opens another door , may be something between your OP and RP. But loving this image.
Thank you Haseeb, very kind words, much appreciated
The more I look at Steve's RP the more I like it... looks like I still have lots to learn. Just happy I do not get any complaints these days about DoF or POV
HI Gabriela ...what a lovely head on shot in lovely warm light !!!
Framing and details are looking very good and the colors overall are pleasing !!! Gonna love that STARE !!!!!
I already told you my opinion about the face ...meaning the lifting and loss of color in that area . Matter of taste ...... but your or others call and not a big deal .
Thank you Boetie! And yes you did tell me, but I only saw it clearly when I looked at Steve's RP.
Like I said, I still have lots to learn, LOL. And it's so much fun
Gabriela ...no problem as we all learn , but also see things different at times. This is also just my opinion ... for this image , the fun factor should also have its space , when we are doing things when the image is taken .