Hi everyone,
I am taking a break from tigers and have gone back to some old files from Africa. This was from my Mara trip in 2019. Couple of cubs enjoying their care-free time with mom. Almost Mom-climbing
This is almost full frame with my 500mm lens. No more room below sadly.
1DX II
500 II
1/640
f/4
ISO 12800
Wow mum certainly looks like she has been in the wars! detail looks good, just wondering if the lions are just a little on the orange side? I like the image even though the cub(s) are not looking toward the camera and neither are the adults.
Very sweet cub and mom's wounds add a bit of drama, she must be working hard to feed those little mouths. Unfortunately IMO there are a number of issues with this image, apart from framing which you already mentioned. The cub - who should be the focus of attention - is not quite sharp ( 1/640s not enough to capture motion) and image quality overall is not as good as we are used to seeing from you. Some green crept in on the paws of the cub and here and there in the white fur (possibly chromatic aberration due to low light conditions ?) perhaps you can try fix that in LR. There is a little cub in the lower right corner, he is turned away, a leg in front of him and I am not sure whom it belongs to. On the LHS of the frame we have another lioness, busy looking in the opposite direction or maybe taking a nap. I just feel that the elements in this image do not come together nicely to form an impact and generate a response from the viewer. I do understand, the reason why this photograph exists is the cubs' playfulness and cuteness which made an impression on you. But to me personally the way you composed and presented this image does not set the tone and mood I presume you intended. I also think Mom's wounds ( especially the one on the neck) are too bright, the red too saturated - I do not mean gory, just distracting.
Please forgive me for what sounds like 'negative feedback' - I know what you can do and have seen some amazing stuff from you over the years
Thank Jon and Gabriela for the feedback. I take it in the right stride and agree with the issues in the image. No worries. I have some nice ones to come!
Hi Sanjeev ... the small cub is cute while climbing on mummy's back .
Personally I do not mind that much about the cut off parts or the crop , to me it is not working in terms of technical IQ. I guess there was a good amount of noise to see and the NR made it too smooth for my eyes . the greens in the fg look thin and washed out ???!!!
Playful Cubs
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