Concentration

[Mark Wiseman]

Concentration when stalking. This young male lion, shortly after drinking, is showing interest in it's prey and I was fortunate to capture the concentration in this image while he passed within meters of me. Kaspersdraai, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. I realize that the top of the image ideally requires more space, but I tried to get below the lions vision to try to create the affect that the viewer was below the level of the lions view, so that a different perspective is created. The following are the camera details:
Canon EOS 1Ds MkIII
EF 500mm f4 LUIS
Aperture f4
Shutter speed: 1/640
ISO: 400
Compensation: +0.7
Time taken: 6h34 (GMT +2hrs)
Any comments will be gratefully appreciated as to image improvement.

[Harshad Barve]

Love the details , light and BG , top shot
TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

I agree with Harshad - lovely light, details and BG Mark. I can't help but want a little more space on top even with your explanation (but maybe it's just me being silly ). Not a big nit here as it is an exquisite portrait.

You seem to frequent waterholes in the Kgalagadi that I have not had good luck with...Kaspersdraai and Cheleka notably...care to tell me why you like them so much and what I may be missing when looking for game in this area?

[Brendon Cremer]

Great image and love the light in the eye. I agree with Morkel, even having read your explanation, you could have lifted the front of the lens slightly to create a little more space on top and the perspective would have differed very little if at all.

I added a little canvas on top quickly, you could prob do this better with more time. And converted to sRGB colour profile. What do you think?

[Mark Wiseman]

Thanks for your help guys. I really like this image and agree that a little more space needs to be added. I will add some more to the top of the image and post on my facebook page. Thanks for your help, it is gratefully appreciated. With many thanks, Mark.

[Mark Wiseman]

This is the altered image and I agree it does improve the image. I trust you will approve of the reposting.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Final repost is the winner for me ...Nice intense look and great BG...Maybe try recover some of the whites in the chin and far lip just below the nose.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Yep the repost here has a lot better 'balance', Mark! Agree with Dumay on some of the whites...

[DanWalters]

Repost looks great. Like the warm colors and clean background.