MOTIF: Predawn Lion

Posted by almac on Wed Jun 23, 2004 11:07 pm

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Lion. Kruger NP, S. Africa.

Canon EOS 30, Sigma 100-300f4, f4, Sensia.

In Kruger at this time of the year the park gates open at 6.00am when it is still quite dark. First light is around 6.15 and the sun peers over the horizen around 6.45ish. We were first in line to leave the camp on our very last drive. About 5mins out the gate we came across a mating pair of lions sitting right next to the road. It was still dark. About 6.30 the light was semi useable, the meter showing f4 at about 1/3rd second. I balanced the camera on the beanbag on the window sill, set the timer, didn't move a muscle and hoped for the best. This was the first shot.

Sorry for the long winded explanation and thanks for looking !

Al
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almac
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by Dennis Olivero on Thu Jun 24, 2004 12:09 am

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Really like the comp with the subject looking out of the grasses and across the frame. I am pretty sure you are the first to take up the motif challenge. Guess I will have to dig something up

.. Dont apologize about the explanation, that is how we learn. Pretty sharp for the shutter speed. There is a slight magenta shift, seen in the white on the chin, easily fixed... Thanks for sharing... Nice work considering marginal conditions!

[b]Dennis Olivero[/b]
[url=http://www.northernlightnaturephotography.com][b]Northern Light Nature Photography[/b][/url]
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by chris earle on Thu Jun 24, 2004 6:08 am

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A very nice shot for such low light conditions. Well done.

Chris Earle
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by Rich S on Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:37 pm

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Nicely positioned to get the clearing in front of the face and the eye free of grass. Cooperative lion for 1/3 sec!

Rich

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by DC on Fri Jun 25, 2004 5:48 am

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His attention is clearly focused on something to sit so still for you

Excellent shot in difficult conditions.

Dave
Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windscreen

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by almac on Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:05 am

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Yeah that's right Dave and Rich, I was actually a bit lucky. His attention was focussed on the woman who had climbed halfway out her front seat window to get a photo. It was amazing to see the change in him, from relaxed in the grass to completely alert as soon as she left the confines of the car. He initially crouched down in the grass for concealment, like he was hunting.
Take 'em however you can get 'em I reckon !

Al
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by Carol Clarke on Fri Jun 25, 2004 6:10 am

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Very nice shot in the conditions described Al, and this is so typical of where you mostly find them - completely hidden in the grass, unless they lift their head!! I agree the slight magenta cast is easily removed in PS, and love that alert expression. Nice one!!

Carol Clarke
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the world will know peace"....Jimi Hendrix.

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by NDCheryl on Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:13 pm