Deception Valley Lion

[Grant Atkinson]

Canon 40D, 70-200mm f/2.8is, handheld. S/S 1/50s at f/3.5, iso 400. Eval metering, ai servo focus. Cropped from 10 to 9.1mp. Deception Valley, Central Kalahari, Botswana. Jan 2009, taken at 18h45. Processed in ACR and CS5.
This male lion was following the rest of his pride across the open grasslands in the early evening, directly after a rainstorm. The wildebeest behind him were clustered together in concern, and watching his movements carefully, as well as the other lions. In hindsight I should have upped the ISO, but I took a chance that he would stand still and stare for long enough for me to grab one shot at least. All C and C welcome
cheers
Grant

www.grantatkinson.com

[Robert Amoruso]

I like the juxtiposition of the lion with the wildebeest. The composition is well balanced with the animals and the BG - good use of DOF and layering to add depth to the image.

[Steve Kaluski]

Excellent observations and feedback Robert, nicely done Grant.

40D hey, sure this not one of Helen's?

On a personal note Grant, I think you need to be aware of where you put your signature & size as, I feel on this one it certainly detracts and dilutes the power of the image.

TFS
Steve

[Dumay de Boulle]

Very nice...love the OOF Wildebeest in the BG

[Hilary Hann]

Agree with Robert, the layering really adds to the depth of this image with the wildebeest showing just enough detail. Love the pose of the lion with the intent stare and the tension in his muscles showing his concentration. He is placed well in the frame and you were lucky or planned well to get the wildebeest above his head, not mixed up in his top line. Good performance at those techs.

[Andy Biggs]

Cool image, buddy. I love the depth of the image, with the layering of subjects. I need to make it to Deception Valley with you someday!!

[Rachel Hollander]

Grant - agree with the others, nicely done. The oof wildies really add to this and I too like the layers. Well composed.

TFS,
Rachel

[Vivaldo Damilano]

All been said, I also like the layers plus depth and lions stare. I like the out of focus wilderbeest in the BG. Great Image TFS

[Grant Atkinson]

Thanks for all the comments. Point taken with regard signature Steve, I seem to continually bug you with that one. and no this isn't one of Helenas shots, Steve, just my older ones I am digging up. Hilary I was lucky and only just got the lions head clear of the wildebeest, I should actually have opened that gap a little more. It was taken a while back though. Andy, anytime soon would be good, think the place is showing really well at the moment
cheers
Grant

[Harshad Barve]

Terrific shot Grant

T Point taken with regard signature Steve, I seem to continually bug you with that one.

As my eyes riveted on the pose , signature never bugged me

[Morkel Erasmus]

the DOF adds heaps of story to this image Grant!! love the soft light and the colours too

[Grant Atkinson]

thanks Morkel and Harshad..i did get lucky with this shot as my shutter speed was pretty slow, but happily it worked out okay
cheers
Grant

[DanWalters]

Like the intense stare and the wildebeests in the background.