1tree;1lion;5lioness;6cubs

[Hilary Hann]

You would think that in the expanse of the Mara Triangle there would be a better tree, with more shade for this pride of lions. I'm guessing at the exact number of cubs as I counted from some of the other images I've taken and I see at least 6 cubs. This photo was taken around mid morning. We then went down to Tanzania spending a day watching leopard, rhino ++++ before wandering back to this pride at around 5pm. They had only moved across the road, lazy bunch. Oh, and there was another big male but he couldn't fit under the tree so was out in the reeds nearby.

40D; 24-85mm @ 32mm; ISO400; 1/250; f13

[Steve Kaluski]

I guess Hilary this is nowhere near 'lookout' then?

Comp wise I like it, I like the position of the tree, lions and the ratio of sky to land. Sadly I find the lions a tad lost, albeit subtle. Personally I think you could open up the tree more & perhaps the lions too using a mask in highlight/shadow reducing some dominant dark areas, also to get more detail out of them, however be careful, as it can be quite an aggressive tool at times. Photographing mid morning and onwards can be tricky as the light at times is harsh and not very sympathetic to photographers which I am sure you know only too well. :) Probably could have used f/11 giving a bit more SS. It might have been worth trying a polariser only for the sky, but then this might also compound your shadows:(

OK Hilary bottom line, does it work, I personally it needs work, but others may think otherwise :)

I trust this is more in-line with what you want regarding feedback?

TFS
Steve ;)

[Ken Watkins]

Hilary,

I think this is a case of needing a double decker bus for viewing (like they used to have in Etosha).

[Marina Scarr]

I love the idea you had here. However, I would not have known there was a lion in the tree unless you had told me and still have difficulty seeing it. Love how the cubs are all lazing but difficult to decipher also. I think this capture had the potential to tell a wonderful story and I see where you were going. Just wish you had been able to see more of your subjects.

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks.
Steve, good suggestions regarding opening up the tree. I haven't worked the image beyond the basics because I agree that the lions are lost. I'm not sure what I could have done differently at the time to better illustrate the absurdity of so many lions in such a tiny shadow. Perhaps standing on Ken's bus would have helped! :)
Any feedback is filed away in the reference folder with thanks.
Re the polariser, I was using it quite a bit that day but obviously I hadn't considered it for this shot for some reason. I'll have a look at those shadows and see what comes if it.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hilary - I wonder if they also moved to stay in the shadow as the earth rotated. A lion sundial?

I'm confused by Marina's comment, is there a lion in the tree as well?

The shot does show the vast expanse of the Mara well.

TFS,
Rachel

[Robert Amoruso]

Hi Hilary,

I would have to agree with the others observations on this one.

[Harshad Barve]

Idea of image works for me
TFS