The King in Monochrome(+color added)

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 29, 2009591 views16 comments

Been revisiting Africa, specifically my bw. I was using a lot of midtone contrast in them but now have gone back and pushed for a more global contrast. This portrait came alive once I did that and I think it is a big improvement.

Thanks for all the comments in 2009, here's hoping you all have an even better 2010.

Paul

5d2, 100-400
Lens (mm): 390
ISO: 1600
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter: 1/50

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Ant on December 29, 2009 at 9:17 AM

wow! majestic. I like a lot this B&W portrait, and the details that emerge also in the darker areas. The global contrast you chose seems to work very well!

Registered on April 13, 2009, 27 Posts, 474 Comments

Comment posted by Mitch Erwin on December 29, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Paul, your processing of this image in B&W is stupendous! Very intimate wildlife portrait. The contrast really draws out the details well.

Registered on April 24, 2006, 98 Posts, 656 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 29, 2009 at 10:05 AM

Very nice work Paul. I like how the face seems to have a spotlight on it. It really makes the portrait of this kng pop off the page. The deatil and tonal range is terrific!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 29, 2009 at 10:42 AM

In general I don't care for converted B&W, but this photo is an exception. Very dramatic. I would like to see in color.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on December 29, 2009 at 11:33 AM

Thanks everyone,

John, here's a quick reverse engineered color from the bw.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce Palla on December 29, 2009 at 4:37 PM

The B/W version is King. Awesome shot, Paul

Registered on December 19, 2007, 25 Posts, 328 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on December 29, 2009 at 4:38 PM

meow, I like the bw

!!!

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on December 29, 2009 at 6:00 PM

I prefer the b/w. Your contrast and warm tint excels and seems to abide the lion's mood. I would consider a tighter crop...portrait layout to confront viewers w/those eyes. Wonderful b/w, as is.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on December 29, 2009 at 7:15 PM

Excellent shot, Paul. The composition and execution of this are exceptional. I also like the clean processing. Excellent work!!

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 30, 2009 at 9:37 AM

HI Paul,

Well done - in my books the B&W version is much more eye-catching than the colour version. My only minor nit is that I think placing the subject slightly more to the right (and thus a little less centred) would strengthen this great shot...

Cheers - best wishes for your 2010!

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on December 30, 2009 at 1:12 PM

Thanks again everyone, I definitely prefer the bw myself.

Ken and Brad, as far the crop, I already cropped some and with iso 1600 wanted as much picture as possible. I left more on the right due to the folds in the skin, but maybe they don't add as much as I thought. Maybe I will just add a touch of canvas to the left.

Thanks again for the critiques,
Paul

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 30, 2009 at 3:24 PM

Thank you Paul, I just like the color version better. It does make for an outstanding B&W image.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on December 30, 2009 at 10:07 PM

Paul, that is one of the most beautiful lion portraits I've seen. The scars really tell a story too. The b&w works so well also

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on December 31, 2009 at 4:36 PM

A fine portrait indeed, I especially like the b&w rendering.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on January 2, 2010 at 1:09 PM

Love the conversion Paul. Beautiful image.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on January 5, 2010 at 7:14 AM

I like the b/w version most.. the contrast and detail are lovely

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments