The sunrise hunter

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 20, 2013630 views9 comments

Rim-lit lioness at sunrise.
In hindsight I wish I had included a bit more space left + top.
I had to remove a bit of lens flare in the dark area.

Southern Kalahari, Botswana
Camera Model Canon EOS-1DX
Shutter Speed 1/4000 Sec. (

...ooh well at least camera shake is no issue

)
Aperture Value f/4
ISO Speed 1000
Lens EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM @ 200
FF

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on March 20, 2013 at 2:55 PM

I'm not sure about this one Vincent. There's quite a bit of flare from the sun (but that could just be my monitor) which makes a very harsh contrast with the darker bottom part of the image.
I like the way you've captured an orange outline around the lioness's back. It would have been nice if the yellow/orange glow from the sun could have seeped further down the image to outline a bit more of the lioness.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 20, 2013 at 3:45 PM

Though I agree with your self-critique, I love how it came out with the outline perfectly lit and exposed. Great mood shot.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 20, 2013 at 3:51 PM

I agree with you about the spacing. The dark bottom right seems a bit heavy to me, so I'd probably look to crop some of it out. Overall I like the result.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on March 20, 2013 at 5:34 PM

Looks very African to me and just as I could imagine this scene in real life. I like it as you presented.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 20, 2013 at 7:46 PM

I agree about the top-left but it's minor. Lowering ISO would have benefited you as well but the image looks pretty clean. Overall a great composition and the lighting is just right

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on March 21, 2013 at 1:04 AM

Thanks for the honest critiques.
@Martin: if you see the flare you need to calibrate your monitor.
@Luke: noise is absolutely not an issue in this image.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 21, 2013 at 2:20 AM

Shooting into the sun like this and getting an acceptable result is no easy feat. I think this turned out exceptionally well and like the composition quite well as is. I don't mind lens flare if done right, sometimes adds a bit of realism to the image though I trust your judgement that it had to be removed in this situation. Love the rim lighting and strong silhouette, powerful image!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 21, 2013 at 4:11 AM

A beautiful silhouette Vincent

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on March 22, 2013 at 9:32 AM

I like this image as is, wondeful rim lighting on the lioness and nice compositional balance betwen bright and dark areas.

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments