Sherry Icardi
July 2024 - Baby Lion
About the Image(s)
This little guy along with two other cubs apparently had wandered away from the pride and all the females were looking for the "runaways" when we came upon them. The mother was very upset with this little guy ...and he could not accept how he was being treated....and was whining to Mom ......when he realized he could not convince here gave up and pranced off from Mom . Just to get away from his punishment. It was so interesting watching this interaction. Taken in 2019 during a trip to Kenya.The only negative on the image .....no way I could get down to its level ....had to shoot from the jeep which was over its head. So my question does that make this imagine unusable? I really did not like the angle, but I was stuck....remember this area had 5 irritated female lions AND one male close by........ what are your thoughts?
Taken with my Nikon 850 D and 80-100mm lens at 400mm
1/1200 sec
f/.5.6
ISO 800
Processed in LR and PS mainly denoise and color and finally cropped. Posted: 07/10/2024 13:11:23
This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted
Interesting that you switched photos from the first one posted. I don't have a problem with the angle. No safari lets people out of the truck. Background a bit too bright. Since the focus and colors are so great, have you thought of cropping it to a square featuring the darling face in the middle? Tail fades out to nothing anyway. Just a thought. It's a very cute cub. Posted: 07/12/2024 20:05:04
Sherry:
You asked if it was "usable?" Guess it depends what you want to use it for :).
Not always being able to get low is one of the frustrations of safari photography, for sure.
My only critique of the image is that to my eyes the cub's eyes and face are a little dark.
Regardless of what you decide, you'll have this memory forever! Posted: 07/13/2024 01:19:44
You asked if it was "usable?" Guess it depends what you want to use it for :).
Not always being able to get low is one of the frustrations of safari photography, for sure.
My only critique of the image is that to my eyes the cub's eyes and face are a little dark.
Regardless of what you decide, you'll have this memory forever! Posted: 07/13/2024 01:19:44
I will! And it was a fantastic trip...14 days! Posted: 07/17/2024 18:46:36
I like this photo, Sherry. I've never been on a safari and know nothing about young lions. You captured this little fellow at a good moment and your backstory helps us to understand what is going on. Thanks for that. The focus is right where it should be--on his eyes. Good DOF to keep the attention on the subject. I don't think I'd crop it any tighter, as this is an image that needs breathing room for the implied action. Nice job! Posted: 07/16/2024 03:17:46
I have never been on a safari either. I really like the action and look in his eyes. I think the suggestion for a square crop might be good, the expression is in his face.
How did you like the 80-400 lens now that you have used other lenses? For my D500 and D850 I have 70-200, 70-300 PF, and the 500 PF. If I did a safari would it help to have the mid range? Posted: 07/16/2024 13:30:17
How did you like the 80-400 lens now that you have used other lenses? For my D500 and D850 I have 70-200, 70-300 PF, and the 500 PF. If I did a safari would it help to have the mid range? Posted: 07/16/2024 13:30:17
I was 5 weeks in the Botswana bush. My advice on cameras is take 2 bodies, and 2 lenses and forget the rest. You won't have time to be switching lenses and don't want to get dust in them anyway. Keep the weight as minimal as possible. Leave the tripod and take a beanbag. You won't often be out of the truck.
Posted: 07/18/2024 16:02:11
Posted: 07/18/2024 16:02:11
Thanks for your thoughts.
I had to really think about your question...for starters the 80-400 sits in my closet and never gets used. It is slower to latch on to the subject and too heavy, and when you get to the 400 your F/stop is so high you have to crank up the ISO...and this was before you had the flexibility of good Denoise (like LR and Topaz). May not be as much of an issue now.
When I went, I took both my D850 and D500 with three lens: all Nikkorr 24-120, 80-400, and 500PF. I used all three a lot. And I took the 80-400 for the closer subjects...but rarely birds. I use the PF for the birds. And the 24-120 for landscapes. Some of the landscapes were incredible. If I went again I would take the same type of arrangement except for Sony cameras ( A1 and 7r4) with 300Prime (and two teleconverters 1.4 and 2.0 which would take me up to 420 and 600. And the 100-400 Sony for the 7R4. I also might consider my D850 and PF lens...but not sure. I really like Prime lens so much better... Posted: 07/17/2024 19:07:52
I had to really think about your question...for starters the 80-400 sits in my closet and never gets used. It is slower to latch on to the subject and too heavy, and when you get to the 400 your F/stop is so high you have to crank up the ISO...and this was before you had the flexibility of good Denoise (like LR and Topaz). May not be as much of an issue now.
When I went, I took both my D850 and D500 with three lens: all Nikkorr 24-120, 80-400, and 500PF. I used all three a lot. And I took the 80-400 for the closer subjects...but rarely birds. I use the PF for the birds. And the 24-120 for landscapes. Some of the landscapes were incredible. If I went again I would take the same type of arrangement except for Sony cameras ( A1 and 7r4) with 300Prime (and two teleconverters 1.4 and 2.0 which would take me up to 420 and 600. And the 100-400 Sony for the 7R4. I also might consider my D850 and PF lens...but not sure. I really like Prime lens so much better... Posted: 07/17/2024 19:07:52
I think I will practice on horses and kitties this summer with the D850 and the 70-300 AF-P which is light weight, came out for FF cameras in 2017, so improved over the earlier one for DX. I used it when the 200-500 was too heavy to hold and then I get the 500 PF. Thanks. Posted: 07/18/2024 16:38:23
Hi Sherry,
I like Leslies suggestion of cropping. Just brightening the head a little will bring out the eyes even more.
I personally think all photos tell a story and there are memories behind each one of them. I recently heard a webinar in Georgia Nature Photography Association where the photographer talked about making projects. He mentioned how projects help using some photos that might not be the star of your collection but they complete the story. Posted: 07/17/2024 22:17:26
I like Leslies suggestion of cropping. Just brightening the head a little will bring out the eyes even more.
I personally think all photos tell a story and there are memories behind each one of them. I recently heard a webinar in Georgia Nature Photography Association where the photographer talked about making projects. He mentioned how projects help using some photos that might not be the star of your collection but they complete the story. Posted: 07/17/2024 22:17:26