Portrait of a Lioness

[Grant Atkinson]

Canon 1DmkIII, 300mmf2.8is, handheld from a vehicle. S/Speed 1/200 at f6.3. Iso 800. Ai servo, eval metering. Location Tubu Tree camp, Okavango. 24 July 2010. 08h08am. Overcast conditions. Processed in ACR6, and PS. Added small canvas to rhs. Cropped from 10mp to 9mp.
This lioness stopped alongside the road, and I was able to catch her intent expression. I really like pictures of lions so can't help taking them:) The overcast conditions helped with reducing shadows and hard contrast.
All C and C welcome
cheers
Grant

www.grantatkinson.com

[Harshad Barve]

Absolute cool looking lady she is

Love the love , compo, details and colors , Excellent image
TFS

[Billy White]

great shot Grant - maybe I would use content aware and remove the fly over her left ear - I also take lots of shots of lions - always intrigued by the scars on their faces

Bill

[Rachel Hollander]

Grant - a beautiful portrait with great color, detail and comp. The bg is also pleasing. Well done.

TFS,
Rachel

[Marc Mol]

Ticks all the boxes with me as well Grant, a pleasing portrait.
TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

Nice, clean, simple and well process Grant. Would lose some space from the top, just seems a bit dead, unless it was for editorial etc?

Please tell me you didn't blur the BG and that is was done in camera. :D

TFS
Steve

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi All, and thanks for the comments. Steve, the blurred BG comes from f6.3, tall yellow thatching grass behind her and being very close to the cat. The image is only just cropped from 10mp to 9.4mp This lion and her buddies had just chased after a leopard that they came across as they were walking, and she was so intent on looking that she took zero notice of our vehicle. Thanks again for looking and commenting. Your point about the fly noted Bill..thanks.
cheers
Grant

[Steve Kaluski]

Steve, the blurred BG comes from f6.3,

Perfect, it just saddens me when I see that people blur BGs.

[Morkel Erasmus]

so crisp Grant - and love the stare. the light really aided you here...

I agree with Steve's crop suggestion, and would even have liked a little more space on both sides :)

[peter delaney]

lovely portrait... would loose some on space top , like the crop on sides...

gotta love that stare

peter

[DanWalters]

Beautiful portrait and nice warm colors. Agree about taking a little off the top.

[Hilary Hann]

Very fine portrait, love the look she has and I actually like the fly … adds atmosphere and avoids a sterile look. Would agree with crop suggestions.

[Stephen Earle]

The filtered light helped a lot in getting even tones. I would also take some off the top. Very nice portrait indeed.

[Grant Atkinson]

Thanks again for all the suggestions, and taking the time to comment. I will follow suggestions to crop.
cheers
Grant

[Robert Amoruso]

Great portrait image with a good OOF BG that is complimentary to the subject's color. I would crop down some from the top.

[Jason Kinsey]

Absolutely love this image Grant, and agree with the others on the crop from the top.