Lioness Love
Oct, 2014Views
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Awards
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
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Contest Finalist in Pushing Limits Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
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Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
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One Of A Kind
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken at the Oregon Zoo on a rainy day in November. The lion exhibit is new-ish to the Oregon Zoo, and as a result it's usually swamped with little kids and their parents. But on this dreary day, there were hardly any people. So I was actually able to take some decent photos!Time
This photo was taken in the early afternoon. Fortunately it was a cloudy fall day, so the light wasn't too harsh.Lighting
The lion 'viewing room' was fairly dim, with just a giant glass window providing light. So I used a low light lens and that was enough!Equipment
I used my (now ancient) Canon Rebel T1i and my Tamron 90 mm macro lens (which can also double as a zoom prime lens).Inspiration
It was honestly a spur of the moment, lucky shot, 'right place right time' kind of shot. The one lioness was facing the window, day dreaming, and the other lioness walked up to her and gave her this affectionate head-butt before walking away. It all happened so quickly. I couldn't believe I'd captured it!Editing
I've edited this photo a couple of times. Mostly, I just adjusted the shadows, to give the photo an overall more moody feel. I also cleaned up the lioness' eyes, and fur. They had some tiny distracting scars and eye goop going on.In my camera bag
My kit lens (35-55 mm), my macro lens (90 mm), my 50 mm lens (my baby!!), and my telephoto lens (75-200 mm). I also carry my lens wipe, some neutral-density filters, and a flash... and sometimes my tripod.Feedback
You just have to be patient with wild animals. The best shots come from watching and waiting for the right moment to present itself. And you also have to learn the body language of animals, and how to move around them without scaring them away. I'm still learning how to capture animals in the wild.
