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Photo Information
Copyright: Adrian Hutton (aido) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1097 W: 168 N: 1218] (4046)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-22
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D2X, Sigma EX 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO HSM DG, DxRAW ISO 400
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Lions, Great cats - Grandes felinos, 5 favs. and up, Wildlife Heritage Foundation, UK, 100 points or more (Chapter 1) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-08-14 8:09
Viewed: 2497
Favorites: 7 [view]
Points: 108
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Male African Lion (Panthera leo) taken at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Kent in the UK. This is one of three brothers there, all very big Lions. Judging by the noises this one was making while watching me he didn’t want to share his lunch :-)

As a lot of people seem to shoot in raw now I thought I’d give a description of the post-processing I did on this image, hopefully somebody will find it useful. If anybody has different ways of doing this please add some comments.

In Adobe Camera Raw on the adjust tab:
Turn off Camera Raw auto-settings by pressing ctrl-U (always the first thing :-)).
Set the correct exposure by first sliding the exposure slide until any clipping on the highlight (right) side of the histogram has gone ; then slide the shadows slide until any clipping on the shadow (left) side of the histogram has gone. Clipping (or lost tones/detail) can be seen by vertical spikes at either end of the histogram ; raw files should contain enough data to recover highlight and shadow detail, assuming that the image is well exposed in the first place.

Adjusted brightness and contrast while checking the histogram, until it looked right (I don’t know of any great science to set these values, other than what I want the image to look like).

On the detail tab:
Set sharpening to 70.
Set luminance smoothing to 0 (this kills detail and really softens the image so I never use it).
Set colour noise removal to 0 (still use AlienSkin and NeatImage for this).

On the lens tab:
Slide the vignetting slider left to increase vignetting and add some darkness around the edges, purely personal taste.

This is minimum post-processing that all took less than a minute, now open in Photoshop.

My image at this point is still 4288x2848.

Selected the eyes, feathered by 10 pixels and brightened using levels.
Used the dodge and burn tools to increase some highlights and darken some shadows in the fur.
At this point I save as a .TIFF. That and the raw file get backed up as my master copies.
Cropped a little (maybe 5-10%), resize for TN.
Sharpened at 200% pixel radius 0.2 threshold 1 in unsharp mask.
Framed.

Total time taken for PP was 4-5 minutes.

Shutter 1/320
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 400
Exposure bias -1
Focal length 500mm
Handheld
Conditions: Strong sunlight and shadow
Date: 22/07/2006
Time: 12:03:38


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scottevers7, claudine, pac, marhowie, Nephrotome2, jmp, horia, SunToucher, RAP, liquidsunshine, Hil, SkyF, vanderschelden, MojoUK, blakitan, fyapici, graz, Robespierre, Signal-Womb, euryan, saguzar, thor68, valy67, metcher, Alex99, sAner, snowfalken, liziafa, jcoowanitwong, hekcik, jeanpaul, dew77, oscarromulus has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jeanpaul: Bonsoir JPaido 1 08-22 22:11
To AnimalExplorer: Thanks Paulaido 1 08-15 12:57
To flagman: Thanks Andyaido 5 08-15 08:07
To Evelynn: Hi Evelynnaido 1 08-14 20:19
To marhowie: Thanks Howardaido 1 08-14 12:16
To horia: Hi Horiaaido 1 08-14 11:46
To jmp: Not sharing...jmp 1 08-14 10:14
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Adrian,
An excellent portrait shot here. I really like the frame filling composition with the very tight crop. Perfect exposure has given beautiful colors and tones. Nice pin sharp detail. Nice note on you PP technique.
Scott

Hi Adrian,
What a beast! This is an interesting expression in this lion's eyes. He sure doesn’t want to share, no doubt about it... The details are great; we can almost see every hair on the animal's fur. Very good POV and composition too. Useful notes about RAW. TFS,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 0 N: 926] (7973)
  • [2006-08-14 8:50]

Hi Adrian,

This is how I like to see a male lion. The expression on the face is super!
My compliments for this great capture.

regards,
Zeno.

  • Great 
  • pac Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 84 W: 14 N: 158] (1729)
  • [2006-08-14 9:19]

Marvelous - I'm not going to try taking that away from him!

As Scott: GREAT pp-notes. Thanks a lot!

/Dan

extra portrait the leo, good shot and sharpnes and color photo is excelent;-)

Hello Adrian,
Man..this is fabulous...just fabulous! :)
Technical issues aside (just kiddin'),
The look you've managed to capture here is priceless..just priceless! ;)
I appreciated the PS details, thank you.
Very Well Done!!
PS - Did you ever resolve the XML error issue??
Howard

Strong sunlight and shadow? It is not to be seen in the resulting pic. Your post processing technic is very powerful!
Indeed I don't want my share of his meal.

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2006-08-14 10:03]
  • [+]

Hi Adrian,
What to put before? Pose, gesture, color, details, composition, techical notes,...? A masterpiece => favorite.
José M.

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2084 W: 216 N: 3767] (12502)
  • [2006-08-14 10:42]
  • [+]

Hi Adrian

Long time no post :) How've you been?

Splendid portrait of this magnificent feline! Great eye contact and eye colors. Also fantastic is the look of his face, somehow paying attention to you while eating.
Also, i appreciate the note...comes in handy to all new comers to the dSLR world (and future owners like myself:))

A big Bravo for the shot and TFS(everything...not only the image)
Horia

  • Great 
  • mrcrow Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 458 W: 123 N: 197] (2996)
  • [2006-08-14 10:54]

wonderful mealtime shot..in the wild they will eat each other if the frenzy gets too high
look at a males nose..its all scraped and scarred..not always from a love match
your excellent technique is evident here and the crop has kept us firmly focussed on the eyes..
cheers
geof

  • Great 
  • biero Silver Star Critiquer [C: 21 W: 0 N: 3] (161)
  • [2006-08-14 11:19]

Bravo Adrian.
Super photo tres impressionnante par sa nettete.
Il n'est pas question que j'aille lui enlever son os!
Salutations.
Pierre

Hi Adrian!
Amazing shot! Very good composed, great detail, seems that we are same to the foot of it...! Well done!

Regards,
Joăo

Hi Adrian,
What a super sharp photo. So many details are visable on the lion and its meal. I just love the way he eats and keeps an eye on you at the same time. Your PP work did the job perfectly, because they eyes stand out 100%
Excellent shot!
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2165 W: 124 N: 2567] (8208)
  • [2006-08-14 13:52]

fantastic shot Adrian,
the details are super, a very good point of view, good composition and yes the quality is fantastic, well done.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 871 W: 2 N: 606] (2034)
  • [2006-08-14 14:04]

A Very Great portret Aido , great details ,a beauty look , it's my diner sty wy, pov dof compositie framing very good job ,tfs ,Greetings Teunie .

HI Adrian,
o yes I see, he doesn't want to share - but you do, thanks for this wonderful shot.
The sharpness is excellent and you made the shot just at the right moment, what a face!
Thanks and bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2006-08-14 15:04]

Un encuadre bien apretado con una imagen soberbia de este felino Adrian.
La expresión captada junto con la nitidez que permite ver hasta los pelos de los restos del animal deglutido, son maravillosos.
Excelente encuadre con gran POV y perfecto DOF.
Felicitaciones por una excelente presentación.
Con admiración... Ricardo

A very tight framing with a superb image of this feline Adrian.
The expression captured together with the clarity that allows to see until the hair of the remains of the swallowed animal, they are wonderful.
Excellent enclose in a frame with great POV and perfect DOF.
Congratulations for an excellent presentation.
With admiration... Ricardo

A truly stunning capture Adrian,
The details are nice, clear and sharp.
Good colours, lighting and exposure. The POV is great and the eye contact makes this an outstanding capture.
Well composed and very good notes.
Thanks for posting, have a great week.

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 744 W: 11 N: 1412] (4849)
  • [2006-08-14 15:47]

Hi Adrian

Superb capture, the expression you have caught is great, I like the way he is keeping an eye on you, as if you were going to pinch his lunch. The sharp detail is excellent with perfect colours, well done.

TFS
Regards Hilary :)

Adrian,
Very good!
What an expression.
Saw the dessert...
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • MojoUK Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 7 N: 328] (1479)
  • [2006-08-14 19:40]

Howdy Adrian,

What a fab portrait of a Lion I have met before (they were born at Paradise Wildlife Park 2 or 3 years ago), great to meet one of them again and see what a handsome chap he has become. Not easy to get a good shot while their feeding but you have pulled it off magnificently. The timing on this shot is what makes it stand out for me, that upward stare and eye contact say it all (good choice of title). The exposure, composition, DOF, POV and great light are all puuurrrrfect.;-) Straight into my favourites this one goes.

Thanks for posting the info on how you proccess RAW in the notes, it will be very useful to many including me.

Talk to you soon and have a nice day ya'll.:-)

Mark.

Thanks Adrian, for the detailed description of your PP routine. I'm just a beginner at RAW and it all helps. This is a fabulous shot. Hand held?! I have the Sigma 80-400 and it is stabilized and I don't think I could hand hold it for any shot. You must be strong!

  • Great 
  • mbasil Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 348 W: 146 N: 706] (3067)
  • [2006-08-14 21:43]

Well done. Content wise I really like the shot. The lion's expression is very clear -- stay away. Wonderful to capture it. Technically I think this is top notch, too. Well lit and very clear. I like the tight crop, too.
Mike

Adrian
Excellent image. The lion's eyes seem to look straight through you. No question about who's dinner he has. The detail is awesome. Fantastic work.
Kathy
PS You lost me with "In Adobe Camera Raw" :-] But, someday day I will say "Of Course" TX Kathy

Hi Adrian,
Superb close up picture of this 'cute' beast. Greatly capruting his sharp eyes, while having his fresh meal. Superb shot.

Ben Lakitan

Hi Adrian,

Great capture, the expression you have caught is superb, I liked the way he is keeping an eye on you, as if you were going to pinch his lunch. The sharp detail is excellent with perfect colours, well done.

Best regards
Fevzi

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3453 W: 144 N: 5902] (17490)
  • [2006-08-15 6:57]

You come nearer and I'll have you for dinner!!
Excellent Adrian. what a capture, you show the 'real' cat here. Good job, TFS
Janice

Excellent close up of this carnivore at its best, the details are fantastic Adrian. Well done on this one. The expression on his face especially the piercing eyes are purrrfect! :)

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1029 W: 0 N: 90] (7745)
  • [2006-08-15 14:04]

Hi Adrian
Great portrait shot. Dont get near him he looks angry. Good colours, sharpnes, details, light, moment and POV.
Well done my friend

osse

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2006-08-15 16:08]

Hello Adrian,
and I'm not arguuing with him, he can keep every little bit. What a great facial expression, he sure does not let you out of his sight. I like this tight frame filling composition a lot.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 32 N: 790] (3052)
  • [2006-08-15 16:55]

Hi Adrian, another masterpiece. I love what you have done with the PP. You have really made the eyes and the fur come to life. Excellent lighting, outstanding details and great neutral colours. I know I have said it before but truly inspirational my friend. Great work enjoy the rest of the week and I will pop this into my favs.
Dean.

  • Great 
  • graz Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 21 W: 0 N: 26] (216)
  • [2006-08-15 17:05]

lovely capture of the king of beasts.he looks in charge of the bone and no-one will get it.great shot .tfs.
Graham.

Hi Adrian,
A very well composed portrait here. Very impressive and showing the right facial expression of our friend here.
Razor-sharp and good details.
I also appreciate your RAW-method description. Very useful.
TFS and regards, Ruud

That fellow sure likes his meat on the bone Adrian. Excellent capture as always. Love the close composition, sharpness and his expression. Thanks for your detailed pp work on this. Very valued post, well done.

I feel scared just looking at this photo. It seems so lifelike. The PP is excellent I really enjoyed the note (probably the best note on PP I've ever read). I really love this photo.
Regards,
Ryan

Wow, WOW, WOOOOW! Just a fantastic capture....
The look in the eyes
The 'snarl' of the mouth (caused by the food, of course)
The superb sharpness in the mane.
About your PP; I never use any 'sharpness' setting in RAW conversion, it's not flexible and anyway, I always thought that sharpening should be the last thing you do, which is why I turn it off. Other than that, pretty similar for RAW conversion.
I hardly ever see visible effect when using 0.2 radius, I usually use 0.3 for most conversions for TN.

Andy.

Hello Adrian,
Another excellent photo from you. The moment captured and title go by hands, details and POV are superb, like the light conditions and colours.
Definitely a very good pic.
Hernan

Juse awesome, all I can say.

TFS

hehe, looks like a poor photographer was not fast enough...
it´s all-you-can-eat-time at the Hungry Hunter.*g*
excellent lunch-shot, adrian! :-)
well composed, with a nice tight crop showing just the
impressive face.
terrific job & thanks for the PP-details,
as i have not tried the raw-format yet, thorsten.

Hi Adrian !
Wow what a look he has ! Looks really threatening, I wouldn't want to go close to him ! :-) Details, colors, exposure, composition and POV, everything is simply perfect on this shot. I also like the textures on the lion's fur. Very well done !
Valérie.

Hi, Adrian.
Great action and superb quality.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3046 W: 148 N: 4553] (14701)
  • [2006-08-17 22:55]

Hi Adrian.
I am again in the city and again see a remarkable picture in your execution. All your animals possess a surprising deep look and the Lion is not exception. It is a very strong side of your pictures. Their quality is as usually faultless. TFS and my compliments,
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1654 W: 79 N: 1456] (4742)
  • [2006-08-20 8:13]

Excellent shot Adrian! The fierce look on the face of the lion is great. Very well exposed, great composition and very sharp details. If this lens focusses, it's amazing! Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Hallo Adrian,

Superb close-up of this wild beast! The real beauty in lions is best visible in captive lions because they have less scars on their bodies. You've managed to capture this beauty very well! It's useless to write about technical and artistical issues as I couldn't find any negative point. The whole picture looks perfect! An excellent job! A great note and PP lesson too! It was really helpful and educative to find out the way you apply PP techniques to your pictures. A complete post once again! Thanks for a great work!

Greetings,
Eddie

Hello Adrian,
This guy is really mean. Composition and sharpness are stand out. Very well done.
JC

Hi Adrian,

this is a wonderful portrait shot. Excellent eye contact! Fantastic sharpness, details, natural colours and excellent POV. Excellent framing and note too.

TFS :-)
Norbert

Hi Adrian,
Fantastic shot!!!
To make impression - lack of word...
Everything just perfect!!!
TFS Malgosia

Bonjour adrian
Belle prise de vue C'est une trčs jolie bęte. Les contrsates et les détails sont clairs. Belle présentation J'espčre pour toi qu'il était en cage quand tu as pris cette photo.
Bravo et au revoir ....JP

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2006-08-25 2:31]

Hello Adrian,
Wonderful capture.He seems very hungry:).Well caught,framed and composed.Details and clear eyes are excellent.
TFS...:-)

Terrific capture Adrian!!! and good description... LOL

  • Great 
  • Krima Gold Star Critiquer [C: 60 W: 5 N: 7] (8)
  • [2006-09-18 16:44]

Hi Adrian,
Perfect timing... I love how you imortalized the moment. Nice POV
Best regards,
Crina

Adrian,
Another OUTSTANDING piece of work.
Best regards,
Mario.

hello Adrian

you have captured this wonderful male lion in a very interesting position, showing us its real brutality

techniclly your picture is perfect : sharpness, POV colours etc

ergards

jjo

Wow! You have captured a great moment. Thanks for sharing.

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