Pensive Juvenile

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 8, 2014187 views11 comments

Sometimes all you need is a basic portrait.
This young lion was lounging on a dunefield in the Kalahari at dusk with its mother and sibling.

For those interested, like last year I have posted my own "best of 2013" on my blog:
http://saffascapes.blogspot.com/2014/01/moments-of-marvel-in-2013.html

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f4.0 | 1/200 SS | ISO-1100

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on January 8, 2014 at 10:15 PM

Hi Mr. Erasmus!

Wow well this is pretty much perfect! The tones are really nice and complement the lion really well. Awesome!

Registered on November 4, 2013, 36 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 9, 2014 at 9:31 AM

Hello Morkel

The image has a Very Subtle Power to it. SWEET Image!!

The tones are soft and add to the overall scene. Not sure on your crop but the Image is Quite Centered both vertical & Horizontally.

Really nice Image.

Thanks for Sharing.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on January 9, 2014 at 9:50 AM

Hey Morkel,

As with most of your shots - their is WAY more to like than dislike in this shot. I love the colour palette, the casual feel that is conveyed by the bent paw (little thing, but love it), the DoF is great (and that makes the subject just pop out of the scene), and of course, the techs are spot-on (including sharpness of those eyes). Just a nice warm feel to this shot.

But - I have to be honest - that light-coloured bunch of grasses just behind and above the head definitely negatively impacts on my appreciation of this shot. I think that if that bunch of grasses was the same colour as the other vegetation (browner, darker) it would be much less of an issue to me, but because it's close to the brightest thing in the frame (and the only bright thing that's in the surroundings) it really stands out (at least for me). I'm not advocating cloning it out (I don't think that's your thing, and it isn't my thing either)...just stating what is...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this one...

Brad

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

Comment posted by James Blue on January 9, 2014 at 10:38 AM

This is sweet Morkel - beautiful details in the face...and I like the red Kalahari dune colors.

Jim

Registered on June 16, 2013, 16 Posts, 144 Comments

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on January 9, 2014 at 12:25 PM

Great tones and love the setting which makes me wonder if you might have one with the complete cat ........ Nice processing too Morkel !

Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on January 9, 2014 at 12:28 PM

Nice one Morkel, like the soft tones and gentle eye contact. Would tone down the brighter grass behind the head.

TFS
Steve

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

Comment posted by Joe James on January 9, 2014 at 10:54 PM

Nicely done Morkel! I checked out your best of 2013 and loved them all. May 2014 produce many more stunning images for you.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on January 10, 2014 at 1:02 AM

Morkel,
You have received some useful comments here, the pose is great but the surroundings are not the best. I think a tighter crop and some minor tweaks could improve this,

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on January 10, 2014 at 4:36 AM

the colours are super Morkel and the vignette works well here (or is it just selective blurring?)
You are the Kalahari expert, but to me th emuzzle looks just a little too pale/light.
neat portrait though with great eyes.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on January 12, 2014 at 5:34 AM

Thanks for the varied input, folks.
Agreed, should probably burn those grasses a bit. Good call on closer crop too Ken.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 12, 2014 at 11:55 PM

The pose with bent fore paw make this pretty special. I, too, had thought the face was a touch too bright and I like the suggested crop.

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