Young Lion Portrait

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 20, 2017278 views8 comments

This is a shot from October 2015 in Sabi Sands (Kruger NP, South Africa). It was taken a sunrise with a dark background. The lion was on a hill which afforded the low angle from the vehicle. I just decided to process it in B&W and to add a bit of tint. This fellow was observing a coalition of larger males that brought down 3 (or maybe 4) young buffalos the night before. Maybe he was considering stealing some it. He didn't make the move.

Canon 5D3, EF 300 F/2.8 IS I, EF 1.4X TC III
F/4 1/500s ISO 1600

Cheers,

Hisham.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Skip Layman on February 22, 2017 at 12:43 PM

I think the sepia tone works in this picture. I personally would crop this a bit from the left.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 558 Posts, 1704 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 23, 2017 at 10:51 AM

Hi Hisham,

I find this shot interesting. Whenever I see a monchrome conversion (or a toned image like this one) I am left wondering how the original full-colour shot looked (as I ponder if the decision to go to monochrome is one I agree with). But in absolute terms it's definitely a pleasing image. There does seem to be some funky "streaking" in the OOF background that is a bit distracting (in that it doesn't look too natural). In a perfect world it would be nice if the OOF grasses behind and to the right of the subject weren't there, but little you could do about that.

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on February 24, 2017 at 4:03 PM

I like the toned treatment here Hisham, especially in the larger version, the 5D3 is so good with high iso settings. He has a great intent look like he is thinking about doing some teen age stunt. The light is great for an early morning.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Hisham Atallah on February 24, 2017 at 5:55 PM

Thanks for the comments. Here is the color version for comparison. Brad, I think the streaking you are seeing is due to the darkening of the green channel during the monochrome conversion. Probably should pull back on that.

Cheers,

Hisham.

Registered on November 5, 2014, 121 Posts, 352 Comments

Comment posted by Genny K. on February 24, 2017 at 8:16 PM

I like the intensity in his gaze. It sure makes me glad I am not what he's looking at! I like your comp; it has the right amount of space for him to look towards.
The tint works for me, too. I wouldn't have thought about doing that, but it works for this. Good processing, too. I like both versions. The original version puts more emphasis on his chest, while the tinted one emphasizes his face and eyes.
Nicely done.

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Gettle on February 28, 2017 at 3:20 PM

Love your eye-to-eye perspective here Hisham.

Registered on November 29, 2016, 36 Posts, 111 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 28, 2017 at 7:22 PM

The low angle makes the shot here Hisham, I really like the rich greens in the background of the color version. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 7, 2017 at 4:57 PM

Nice portrait of this young fellow.
I like the colours, pose, and environment.
Congrats on a fine WP!
Sandy

PS : Didn't see until now that you also posted the original colour version. I'm torn - both have their mertits. I think I prefer the color version.

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments