ATLeve

lion portait

This was a previous alpha lion at Atlanta Zoo. You could hear his mighty roar for a mile even in the busy city. Picture was taken in 2012 just before he passed ...
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This was a previous alpha lion at Atlanta Zoo. You could hear his mighty roar for a mile even in the busy city. Picture was taken in 2012 just before he passed of natural causes.
Read less

NIKON D3000

settings

Aperture f/5 ISO 800 Shutter 1/160 Focal Length 180/1

upload_date

Aug, 2015

Views

425

Likes

+16

Awards

Action Award

Zenith Award

Top Shot Award 21

Legendary Award

Great Shot

Absolute Masterpiece

+22

Outstanding Creativity

+14

Top Choice

+10

Superb Composition

All Star

Peer Award

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 2

Top 30 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

Farasi, the amazing lion featured at Zoo Atlanta for over two decades is my model, muse, and now angel. He died of old age. The photo was taken about 6 mo before the end. He and I just connected at the end of a long and HOT day.

Time

After 6 pm during dinner

Lighting

I struggled with shooting through insanely thick glass. There is a mild refraction of the upper left that I just never could angle enough to avoid. Farasi seemed to know his good side. He walked right up to me. Roared. Then sat down like a house cat. I must have 150 shots of him in our 20-30 min staring contest. Later I met his trainer whom I did leave copies of the photos for her. Once Farasi was bored with me, he simply & politely took a nap. Like I said, mega house cat flare.

Equipment

Nikon 700. Handheld. 200 mm kit lense, no flash, & torn in half jacket tied in peculiar spots trying to control the light coming in from behind me. Yes, I looked like a swaughter & acted like one. Waiting for him to come close took 2 hours or more

Inspiration

I adore animals. I foster kitties in need of homes and originally started at animal control. It was a wonderful way to give animals a chance to find a home and endless aray of different cats/dogs/rabbits/chicken/horses/lizards to model in different activities. They need photos & new photographers need a place to practice.

Editing

There is not a lot of edits here. There were a lot of shots before it though. I did enhance the contrast and adjusted the saturation levels in light room. I might release the photos of the roar in which case, I had a lot of edits trying to work around some interesting dentistry. Needless to say his flat canine was extremely white and stood out.

In my camera bag

It took way too long to realize a heavy bag doesn’t make you better- just makes you tired. I always wanted all my lenses just in case.., know I know.. you miss more from lugging the heavy expensive bag than just running with one great lense. I could go anywhere with my 200 mm lense & any Nikon. Plus, Nikon can take the abuse better than cannon or Fuji.

Feedback

Patience. Go practice with shelters & rescue to learn animal habits. You will be more ready and understand their jesters. Honestly, this picture got noticed but some of Fido saved lives. Remember - anyone can buy equipment. Dedicated eye and love of the art is needed to take something special. I do t care how fab the iPhone camera gets, real film will always have more heart & soul.

See more amazing photos, follow ATLeve

ATLeve

ATLeve

lion portait

This was a previous alpha lion at Atlanta Zoo. You could hear his mighty roar for a mile even in the busy city. Picture was taken in 2012 just before he passed ... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow ATLeve

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This was a previous alpha lion at Atlanta Zoo. You could hear his mighty roar for a mile even in the busy city. Picture was taken in 2012 just before he passed ...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.