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Thread: Zuka Lioness. Not a Sunday Morning Stroll.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default Zuka Lioness. Not a Sunday Morning Stroll.

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    Dear Friends,

    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.
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    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.

    Well done.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    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

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    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.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I absolutely love your RP,
    Great, as I said it might be way off the original capture, but fun?

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    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

    I am jealous of your RP, I wish it was mine

    Warmest regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    What an encounter a super capture, I like the processing and also Steve's - excellent.

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you very much Jon!
    We missed you around here
    Gabriela Plesea

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    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.

    TFS !

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    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

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    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 .

    TFS Andreas

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    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hello Andreas,

    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

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    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 .

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