Lion in the Wind

[Grant Atkinson]

7D, Canon 70-200f2.8is, handheld. S/S 1/1000s at f/5.6, iso 320, focal length 70mm. Subject distance 8m, eval metering, ai servo focus. Cropped from 17.9mp to 17mp. Processed in ACR and CS5. Location Duba Plains, Okavango Delta, 6 March 2010, 12h37.
This male lion had just crossed a wide expanse of water and walked right by my vehicle. He was following the females of his pride. We waited for three hours before they crossed. Slightly overcast conditions, which helped soften the light. I thought that the wind blowing both his mane and the tall grass next to him added to the shot.
I have been away for the last month, and glad to be back on BPN
All C and C welcome.
cheers
Grant Atkinson

www.grantatkinson.com

[Steve Kaluski]

A very warm welcome back Grant and if I may say, a big congratulations from BPN to you and Helen, having just come back from your Honeymoon.

Will comment later, good to have you back.

kind regards
Steve

[Steve Kaluski]

Am away still so looking at this on a laptop is not great, as colour can vary depending on how you move your head, not ideal.

Firstly I like as presented, but wonder if it works better flipped, walking into frame rather than out? Not an issue, just a thought. I do think the grass blowing as you say, adds to the image, albeit subtle and I like the stepped BG.

A nice opening shot.

TFS
Steve

[Grant Atkinson]

Thanks Steve, for the good wishes too. I am now a married member of BPN. Heading back to Savuti today.
cheers
Grant

[Robert Amoruso]

Congrats Married Man.

I like the wind-swept look and the raised paw. Color does look a bit off but not sure what the color cast might me. I would prefer a bit more room behind the tail.

[Steve Kaluski]

Robert I thought there was a blue hint, but viewing on a laptop you don't get true representation unlike a fixed monitor. Grant I quickly tried in Saturation -7 hue & -10 sat which looked OK but am unsure, will leave it with you.

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi guys, i think what may have happened is that I pulled green from the image in ACR to tone down the big clump of bright green grass (this was midsummer last year) and this may have resulted in the blue cast, which seems most visible in the BG and sky. i will have a look at my original, thanks for the feedback
cheers
grant

[Rachel Hollander]

Grant - Congratulations and welcome back. Color issues aside, I like the raised paw, head up look and the bg combination of the tall grass and water.

TFS,
Rachel

[Hilary Hann]

Love the composition of this image and the feeling of being out in the wild. The lion comes across as powerful, strong and slightly menacing. I think the colour cast will be easy to fix.

[Austin Thomas]

Congratulations Mr. Grant.

I like the composition, raised paw and the eye contact. I also like the movement in the grasses.
I do see a slight blue/green cast and I reckon that a little more sharpening on the lions head would help.

Depending on your use for this image, I think the tall thin arrow shaped tree pointing out of the frame draws my eye and could be removed if required/ permitted.

Cheers

Austin

[Ofer Levy]

Very nice. I like seeing the habitat. Maybe moving the lion tiny bit more to the right.

[Marina Scarr]

Love the raised paw and the wind swept grasses. Agree on the cast and would probably consider cloning out the "palm" if it were mine since it does distract somewhat from such a powerful subject.

Huge congratulations on your nuptuals.

[Grant Atkinson]

Thanks for taking the time to look and the comments..I will reprocess and try a few different crops, and try fix the colour cast. I dont have any more space on lhs, behind the lions tail.
cheers
grant

[Harshad Barve]

Congratulations Grant
Terrific image of male lion , excellent
TFS