Steven Jungerwirth  


King of the Jungle by Steven Jungerwirth

January 2022 - King of the Jungle

About the Image(s)

Another image from my November visit to the Brookfield Zoo. This guy was lounging in the back of his enclosure . . . at the edge of a cave-like structure. Sun was to camera right . . . illuminating his face/paws and leaving the rest of the scene in relative darkness.

Technical: Hand-held, Canon EF100-400 zoom @ 400mm, F5.6. ISO 1000, 1/250 sec. Adjusted whites/blacks/contrast/crop in LR. Removed leaves/debris from lion's mane in PS. Amputated tail (no anesthesia required) in PS. B&W conversion/dodge/burn/vignette in Silver Efex.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




Will Korn   Will Korn
The light is just amazing in this shot. And sharp. Very nice. Next stop, Serengeti Park.
  Posted: 01/01/2022 17:22:29
Steven Jungerwirth   Steven Jungerwirth
Thanks! I recently reviewed my favorite 2021 images (N=30); they were all taken within 20 miles of my home (almost half in my basement!) - so Serengeti Park seems far away. It's a trip I'd love to make someday - although not something of interest to my wife.   Posted: 01/02/2022 09:27:56



Chan Garrett   Chan Garrett
Yes, the light makes the image. I do not even notice that this is a scene from a local Zoo. While some might point out that the shaddows could be lightened to reveal more of the body on the big cat, the contrast between the light on the face and the shaddows on the body cause my eyes to go straight to the face with no desire to go anywhere else. I find myself in a face to face stare-down with this powerful cat.   Posted: 01/02/2022 14:18:52



Cindy Smith   Cindy Smith
That face! He is absolutely beautiful! The light on his face is so intriguing, and it really brings my attention right to his face and his eyes. Magnificent!   Posted: 01/07/2022 09:18:44



Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Hi Steven,

What a regal looking lion! And the light is phenomenal, as others have mentioned. The B&W works very well, something I wouldn't have expected. It's interesting that you have so many favorites from close to home. Most of mine are from the two trips I managed to do in 2021. I need to work on finding beauty close by and not just wait till I'm on a trip to pick up my camera.   Posted: 01/07/2022 10:58:29



Dale Yates   Dale Yates
Great photo! The light & shadows contrast is excellent and as Chan stated causes me to focus on the lion's face. The sharpness, especially the eyes,are very well done. I also like the black & white conversion on this. Very well done!   Posted: 01/07/2022 16:24:58



Lance Lewin   Lance Lewin
Hi Steve! Simply beautiful!

An expression of how beauty can be enhanced by Light & Shadow. Its perfect!   Posted: 01/14/2022 07:12:52