I was in Ranthambhore a couple years ago, doing drives in the park for three days but coming up empty on tiger sightings such as this. I'm very envious! I see you are a frequent visitor and know the park -- and wildlife issues -- very well. I suppose I need to do more homework and go back to see if I can have a close encounter like this one.
As for the photo.... You say you are more interested in the expereince than producing the perfect photo. That's fine. You had a great opportunity here to produce a nice photo. It is a nice photo, but the blur (and low pixel count to post) detract from an image that I would love to see in all its intensity. You're shooting a Canon Mark II, so that's not an issue. You were shoot a 500mm lens and were at, I suspect, minimum aperture and 1/250 sec. And you also were shooting at ISO 500. The Mark II uses a CMOS digital sensor that's capable of nearly seamless quality throughout the dynamaic range of ISOs until roughly 1600. So bump up that ISO to 800, shoot at shutter speed that matches your focal length (I.E., 1/500 sec) and maybe try a monopod or bean bag to cradle the lens for support. Also invest in a Canon IS lens...Image Stablization. You will get better results. All this is my MO for African lions.
Great shot of such a gorgeous creature. Nice photo note, too. The stark blue sky against the snow-white feathers really work well here. You can tell it's a cold northern environment.
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 45 W: 0 N: 124]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 87 W: 0 N: 78]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
![Silver Note Writer [C: 3 W: 0 N: 18]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif){kind=small}
Roy,
I was in Ranthambhore a couple years ago, doing drives in the park for three days but coming up empty on tiger sightings such as this. I'm very envious! I see you are a frequent visitor and know the park -- and wildlife issues -- very well. I suppose I need to do more homework and go back to see if I can have a close encounter like this one.
As for the photo.... You say you are more interested in the expereince than producing the perfect photo. That's fine. You had a great opportunity here to produce a nice photo. It is a nice photo, but the blur (and low pixel count to post) detract from an image that I would love to see in all its intensity. You're shooting a Canon Mark II, so that's not an issue. You were shoot a 500mm lens and were at, I suspect, minimum aperture and 1/250 sec. And you also were shooting at ISO 500. The Mark II uses a CMOS digital sensor that's capable of nearly seamless quality throughout the dynamaic range of ISOs until roughly 1600. So bump up that ISO to 800, shoot at shutter speed that matches your focal length (I.E., 1/500 sec) and maybe try a monopod or bean bag to cradle the lens for support. Also invest in a Canon IS lens...Image Stablization. You will get better results. All this is my MO for African lions.