Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Okavango Lioness

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    428
    Threads
    61
    Thank You Posts

    Default Okavango Lioness

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I am not sure whether I have been looking at this for too long and my eyes are playing tricks, or it does need some re-editing.

    To me the image needs to have a little something extra? And not too sure on the colour balance/saturation.

    Taken in the Okavango

    5D
    500mm
    1/640 @f5
    ISO100

    Feel free to tweak and play.

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Somewhere in Africa
    Posts
    3,723
    Threads
    251
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice soft colors and light. Nice intense look on the lionesses face.

  3. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  4. #3
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Russell - looks like nice light and eye contact but I don't think your eyes are playing tricks on you. Something looks slightly off, particularly in the chin and lion's left eye area. Maybe post a straight ooc jpeg conversion to see if people can help. Would be interesting to see and maybe it can be one of the monthly exercise images.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  5. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  6. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Phoenix AZ
    Posts
    644
    Threads
    85
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I don't know what you are looking for as I like the lighting and color. If I understand Rachel's comment, the unsymmetrical face is due to the lioness has one ear facing behind her instead of in front, looks normal to me.
    maybe some added vibrance would bring out some color.

  7. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  8. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Apethorpe, UK.
    Posts
    497
    Threads
    43
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Russell,
    I like your image. My opinion is similar to Stan in that I think there are certain points within the image that affect the overall symmetry of the image. I agree about the ear, but for me the shadow over the right eye of the lioness and the right side of the face affects the facial appearance. I would open them up in shadows and highlights using a smart object layer and one may need to do a bit of non destructive dodging and burning. I am not on my computer at the moment so cannot give it a try.
    Thanks for sharing and best wishes,
    Mark.

  9. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  10. #6
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi Russell, I like the stance, angle and direct look to camera, however I do find the overall image a tad flat. Also I feel there are some very OOF objects in the FG (subtle) that do play a part in visual clarity in places, albeit small.

    Perhaps a slight bump in 'oomph' and some enhancements in the blacks and little more in sharpening, so...

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  11. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  12. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Nacka, Stockholm, Sweden
    Posts
    433
    Threads
    43
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I really like this portrait. I have no problems with the ears. I think something looks a little weird with the lioness left eye. For my taste I like saturation and light to be between your and Steves versions.

  13. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  14. #8
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I don't mind the pose, and strangely (for me) the crop, or even the 'asymmetry' in the face here, Russel.
    It just lacked a bit of punch, which Steve's RP added for me. You might prefer it halfway between the OP and RP, though?
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  15. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  16. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Apethorpe, UK.
    Posts
    497
    Threads
    43
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Russell,
    Just my two cents worth, WDYT of the repost.
    Best wishes,
    Mark.
    PS: There are some different colour contrast issues in the face and that is possibly what your eye is picking up.

    Name:  lionrepost.jpg
Views: 57
Size:  177.9 KBName:  lion.jpg
Views: 57
Size:  216.4 KB

  17. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  18. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    428
    Threads
    61
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks for all the feedback, I went back to the RAW and reworked from scratch.

    I did a little gardening under the chin, though the marks on the left of the face are natural, so can't do much with those I am afraid :)

    Name:  okavango-lioness---Russell-Johnson.jpg
Views: 51
Size:  207.9 KB

  19. #11
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Russell, a good improvement and thanks for clarifying the marks, I thought they might have been FG vegetation, certainly over the left hand 'Y' of the nose.

    Obviously personal taste, but a slight -20 Magenta in the Red & upping the black in the Red channels to +20 just gives it that edge IMHO.

    All the best
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  20. Thanks Russell Johnson thanked for this post
  21. #12
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Russell,

    Looks pretty good to me in OP, I am unsure what you consider to be a problem

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics