Love

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 22, 2011123 views9 comments

On a recent trip to the Kgalagadi National Park I was fortunate to come across a group of 3 lionesses and a male around one of the waterholes. It was early morning and they were very relaxed. Two of them started grooming each other and I really like the image as it shows the softness in their faces and reflects tenderness.

Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Shooting Date/Time 04/01/11 07:52:51
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 7.1
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 1600
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Focal Length 500.0mm

Thanks for viewing. Your crits and suggestions are welcomed.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 22, 2011 at 4:09 AM

This has a rather "strange" quality because of the colour of the BG, I presume it is sand?

I really think it needs a little more room on each side, otherwise a very interesting result.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on May 22, 2011 at 3:13 PM

nice to see you posting here Neal!
I love the moment here and there is lots of detail.

I do think you can add some contrast as it would add some "pop" to the overall image. I agree that it is a tad tight on either side of the frame but I assume it's full frame?

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on May 22, 2011 at 6:31 PM

Terrific Interaction

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 22, 2011 at 10:13 PM

I like your approach here and for me, the results work fine. I agree, however, that this would be getting pretty tight if you allow for adding a mat and/or frame. The gesture makes the shot, and provides for a pleasing compositional shape.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on May 23, 2011 at 3:06 AM

A sweat image of interaction here Neal. Good detail and sharpness handled with sensitivity. Really like the 'Hi-Key' approach to this image, makes a change from the norm, I really like the thinking on this one. As Morkels says, perhaps it needs a little more 'pop', but then I wonder if you would loose the overall look & feel? If you haven't any more room either side then perhaps a slight crop off the top might help, visually evening things up?

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 23, 2011 at 11:39 AM

Interesting to see tender moments with the big cats and I like the detail on the larger version. The bright background kind of throws you at first glance but then my eye moved to check out the lionesses behavior. It would be nice to have a little more room on each side but a fine image as is, nice job in getting this, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on May 23, 2011 at 1:11 PM

Excellent behavioural image Neal, very intimate. The bright pale BG is certainly not ideal IMO and given that I would experiment with a B&W conversion in this case and go for a more artistic approach.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on May 30, 2011 at 11:01 AM

Excellent dynamic pose. I personally prefer the softer look you've accomplished here, but that's my own bias toward a more filmic look.

lucy

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments

Comment posted by Harshad Barve on May 30, 2011 at 9:58 PM

very nice interaction here

Registered on July 25, 2010, 39 Posts, 210 Comments