close iframe icon
approved icon WorldPix avatar Platinum
WorldPix
Banner

Faith



behind the lens badge

I was shooting at the Zoo and this large male Lion started roaring loudly right up against the glass. Over and over he roared getting the attention of everyone ...
Read more

I was shooting at the Zoo and this large male Lion started roaring loudly right up against the glass. Over and over he roared getting the attention of everyone within a mile or so. I've never seen anything like this in a Zoo as the lions are usually just laying around like they are waking up from Anesthesia. It shocked all the adults standing around and most people took several steps back in fear. In the midst of this rather scary display, a cute little girl ran over and placed her hands on the glass looked the Roaring Lion directly in the eyes and simply said, “Calm Down.” He stared her down for several seconds and then, amazingly did just as she commanded. I believe this photo tells a powerful story of Faith. According to Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the "...Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we don't see." The little girl completely trusts the glass to protect her from this massive, angry, and scary creature even though the glass that is separating her from this creature is invisible. I pray that God will give you Faith today as you deal with your own Lions.

Read less

Views

5207

Likes

Awards

Honorable Mention in At The Zoo Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 49
Contest Finalist in Stunning POV Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Creative Compositions Photo Contest Vol6
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 46
Winner in Best of black and white Photo Challenge
  View more
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
HuaweiP30Lite AnnHopta catherinethompson Mrphotoguy shukriabduljalil thierry Butler Normanthegr8 +43
Magnificent Capture
FreddyDavis lyndellanne Dacemac ronsmith BenDufeck amanciocouto_0073 lifearound +37
Top Choice
SensualSunshine MamaDragonPhotography cr8aphoto Aarti_Sachin_Soman lisadow_6517 EuroBen MariaMercer +32
Superb Composition
keithhempfleng andreamartngonzlez Kevin-D ileanaandreagmezgavinoser StephanieLynnePhotography joanacaixeiro Serg60 +29
Outstanding Creativity
cometolifephotography EllieBurginphotography Mosoni jdmarks64 wendywiltshire bogusiakolouszekvanmoorsel mylilja +27
All Star
barryjthompson larryollivier Chrisbinns1999 Ottolia 713Aydin PeterEvans23 tazzzer62
Genius
WildSidePhotography Resquin sue-zon JePePhoto RobCornerPhotography jensfischer
Superior Skill
jimboz abegiordano debbietintle michaelatkinson_5804
Virtuoso
fredflintstoneh Confalonieri alistairhunt Stephenholder

Emotions

Impressed
Steve_Thomas Pakhomova karenpphotography RulaFalih80 ZoltanKr cristianogmusa EsmaralduS +16
Happy
Serg60 manh

Top Ranks

Monochrome Addiction Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Monochrome Addiction Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Spooky Moments Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Shallow Depth Photo Contest 2023Top 30 rank
Spooky Moments Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Shallow Depth Photo Contest 2023Top 30 rank week 1
Baby Addiction Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Baby Addiction Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 5
Baby Addiction Photo ContestTop 20 rank month 1
Baby Addiction Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 3
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol16Top 20 rank
Baby Addiction Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 2
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol16Top 30 rank week 1
Childhood Chronicles Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Hope Through The Lens MissionTop 20 rank
The Photo Art ProjectTop 30 rank week 1
Mankind In Monochrome Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Mankind In Monochrome Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Friendship Photo Contest by mylioTop 30 rank
Monochrome Love Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Monochrome Love Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Fun People Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Fun People Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Fun People Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
That Is Us Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Capture The Wildlife Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Capture The Wildlife Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Feelings In Monochrome Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Creative Moments Photo Contest vol1Top 10 rank
Creative Moments Photo Contest vol1Top 10 rank week 1
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol13Top 20 rank
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol13Top 10 rank week 1
Depth Of Field Photo Contest 2021Top 20 rank
Depth Of Field Photo Contest 2021Top 10 rank week 2
Depth Of Field Photo Contest 2021Top 10 rank week 1
Monochrome People Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Monochrome People Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Thankful Photo Contest 2021Top 10 rank
Thankful Photo Contest 2021Top 10 rank week 1
Fingers Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
People Monochrome Photo ContestTop 10 rank
People Monochrome Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Humanity Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Humanity Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Monochrome Moments Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Monochrome Moments Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Human Touch Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Women I Admire Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Women I Admire Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Glass Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Glass Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
The Human Touch Photo ContestTop 20 rank
The Human Touch Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Where Is The Face Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Full Adrenaline Rush Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Full Adrenaline Rush Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Kids Being Kids Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Kids Being Kids Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
At The Zoo Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Interesting People Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Interesting People Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Monochrome Masters ProjectTop 10 rank
Monochrome Masters ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
Behind You Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Behind You Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Boys And Girls Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Boys And Girls Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
People In Black And White Photo ContestTop 10 rank
People In Black And White Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Experimental Photography ProjectTop 20 rank
Experimental Photography ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
Special Moments Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Black And White Compositions Photo Contest Vol 4Top 10 rank
Special Moments Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Black And White Compositions Photo Contest Vol 4Top 10 rank week 2
Black And White Compositions Photo Contest Vol 4Top 20 rank week 1
Passionate Photographers Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Passionate Photographers Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Passionate Photographers Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
ViewBug Photography Awards 2018Top 10 rank
ViewBug Photography Awards 2018Top 10 rank week 2
ViewBug Photography Awards 2018Top 10 rank week 1
Monochrome Wildlife Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Monochrome Wildlife Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 6Top 10 rank
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 6Top 10 rank week 1
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 5Top 10 rank
Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 5Top 10 rank week 1
Covers Photo Contest Vol 49Top 10 rank
Never Stop Exploring Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Covers Photo Contest Vol 49Top 10 rank week 2
Never Stop Exploring Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Covers Photo Contest Vol 49Top 10 rank week 1
Creative Reality Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Shooting Hands Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Creative Reality Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Shooting Hands Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Stunning POV Photo ContestTop 20 rank
The Lifestyle ProjectTop 10 rank
Young And Active Photo ContestTop 10 rank
The Lifestyle ProjectTop 10 rank week 1
Young And Active Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Stunning POV Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 rank
World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 rank week 2
Stunning POV Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Black And White Compositions Photo Contest vol3Top 10 rank
World Photography Day Photo Contest 2018Top 10 rank week 1
Black And White Compositions Photo Contest vol3Top 10 rank week 1
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 5Top 20 rank
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 5Top 20 rank week 1
Bokeh Games Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Bokeh Games Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Black And White Female Portraits Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Black And White Female Portraits Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v4Top 10 rank
Everything In Black And White Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Creative Compositions Photo Contest Vol6Top 10 rank
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v4Top 10 rank week 1
Everything In Black And White Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Creative Compositions Photo Contest Vol6Top 10 rank week 1
Anything Babies Photo ContestTop 30 rank
A World In Black And White Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 15Top 20 rank
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 15Top 10 rank week 2
Covers Photo Contest Vol 46Top 10 rank
The Fluid Self Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 15Top 10 rank week 1
Covers Photo Contest Vol 46Top 20 rank week 1
The Fluid Self Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Monthly Pro Vol 40 Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Monthly Pro Vol 40 Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 31Top 20 rank
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 31Top 10 rank week 2
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 31Top 10 rank week 2
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 31Top 10 rank week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 31Top 10 rank week 1

Categories


33 Comments | Report
marijanarsovski
 
marijanarsovski March 13, 2018
interesting :D
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 18, 2018
Thank you!
Stephenholder
 
Stephenholder March 25, 2018
Having been in a similar situation, a lion staring me down and ultimately charging at me I know precisely how this moment feels, your photograph took me straight back to that unique moment which oddly I cherish. Thank you
HuaweiP30Lite
HuaweiP30Lite April 11, 2023
A lion charged at you? How come you're still here? 😁
eelcovanroden PRO+
 
eelcovanroden March 29, 2018
Congratulations, what a wonderful photo!
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 30, 2018
Thank you, Eelcovanroden!
ricklecompte Platinum
 
ricklecompte March 29, 2018
What a great explanation of the image and meaning...
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 30, 2018
Thank you, Rick! I appreciate your comment.
AvigayilPhotography
 
AvigayilPhotography March 29, 2018
I love the story behind this image. :) Congratulations on your challenge win! It's well-deserved! God bless!
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 30, 2018
Thank you, Avigayil! God Bless you also!
alistairhunt PRO+
 
alistairhunt March 29, 2018
Fantastic Shot! Great Capture! FAITH!!
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 30, 2018
Thank you, Alistair! I was so happy to catch this moment!
JDLifeshots
 
JDLifeshots March 29, 2018
Awesome capture! Congrats.
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 30, 2018
Thanks JD! I appreciate the kind words!
Pamelabole PRO
 
Pamelabole March 29, 2018
Amazing capture!! That must have been awesome to witness. And in your write up, a wonderful way in which you related it to our lives and faith. Congrats on your challenge win! : )
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 30, 2018
Thanks, Pamela! I'm so happy you got something from the write up! I love blessing others with my photography.
thunderlake Platinum
 
thunderlake March 30, 2018
Outstanding! Congratulations!
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 30, 2018
Thanks, Thunderlake!
NaturesHaven
 
NaturesHaven March 30, 2018
Congrats on your challenge win.......beautiful image......well done......
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix March 30, 2018
Thanks, NaturesHaven! I appreciate the comment.
grandmaof7 PRO
 
grandmaof7 April 05, 2018
This is an amazing photo. Congratulations!
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix June 23, 2018
Thank you, Grandmaof7!
florinabelu-alexandru
 
florinabelu-alexandru April 22, 2018
No words!Take breathing!Lucky to witness this moment!
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix June 23, 2018
So Lucky!! The world is such an amazing place...each day is a gift.
SuKai PRO+
 
SuKai May 21, 2018
This is fantastic. What a capture of two souls one of innocence and one of power.
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix June 23, 2018
Well said, Susan. Thank you for the comment.
RamyDelariarte
 
RamyDelariarte May 24, 2018
Rare photo. Awesome capture
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix June 23, 2018
I was lucky to capture this moment. Thank you, Ramy.
DeLacy15 PRO
 
DeLacy15 June 12, 2018
Wow!!! I love the story!! Amen. Beautiful!
WorldPix Platinum
WorldPix June 23, 2018
Thank you, DeLacy!
davidisaacyoung
 
davidisaacyoung July 06, 2018
This is such an awesome shot and a great story. Glad you were able to catch it so quickly
shema PRO
 
shema August 06, 2018
great image and story!
vijaiendran
 
vijaiendran August 17, 2018
Wow!! Great photo and a greater thought for the mind!
truevincy
 
truevincy August 20, 2018
Amen!!
montezbond
 
montezbond September 24, 2018
That is f#%king awesome!
joybello PRO+
 
joybello December 27, 2018
Wow!! What a powerful image and object lesson in the story!! Thanks for sharing!! Faith can move mountains of impossibility, & in this case, calm a lion!
Brandibaby17
 
Brandibaby17 March 25, 2019
Thank you. :) for your eyes to see with.
MadhavSharma_0407
 
MadhavSharma_0407 April 16, 2019
Wow man you have an interesting story behind the shot ....you did pretty much good by adding the b/w and moreover you have captured it like no one can make out of there is a glass too.....I like that you shared the story behind you r shot .....inoove how the lion looks in the eyes of the li'l girl...thank you so much
leonbuter
 
leonbuter August 28, 2019
Excellent photo. Lion that should be be in the wild finding itself in a "people's" world. I see a girl almost sharing the lions wish for freedom...almost like there is a connection. Love this!
lindaarcher
 
lindaarcher September 13, 2019
We are all faced with something. But the faith of a child is so pure and untainted. It is when we grow up and get hurt that we see the world as it really is, a scary place. Without God’s promises we would forever be lost. What a absolutely blessed and timely capture. Hope you have this one framed! Thank you for sharing. Needed this today. 💜There really are not enough words to tell you what this did for me today.
maryphippsseward
 
maryphippsseward May 20, 2021
Wow!
catherinethompson PRO+
 
catherinethompson October 29, 2021
Stunning capture - love the interaction.
CPKphoto
 
CPKphoto December 07, 2021
Magnifique COMPOSITION D'IMAGE
AnnHopta PRO+
 
AnnHopta December 19, 2021
This is absolutely PERFECT!
ragabelhmamy
 
ragabelhmamy January 08, 2022
Great Shot
D'photo
 
D'photo April 06, 2022
This is amazing
vijaychambel
 
vijaychambel April 23, 2022
Wow. Just WOW.
lindaarcher
 
lindaarcher May 07, 2022
This is one of my favorite photos!
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

The San Antonio Zoo.

Time

Just before sunset.

Lighting

This shot was taken in light shade which was perfectly lucky as it decreased the reflections from the glass.

Equipment

I used a Canon Mark IV with a Canon 200mm prime lens shot at f/2

Inspiration

I was shooting at the Zoo and this large male Lion started roaring loudly right up against the glass. Over and over he roared getting the attention of everyone within a mile or so. I've never seen anything like this in a Zoo as the lions are usually just laying around like they are waking up from Anesthesia. It shocked all the adults standing around and most people took several steps back in fear. In the midst of this rather scary display, a cute little girl ran over and placed her hands on the glass looked the Roaring Lion directly in the eyes and simply said, “Calm Down.” He stared her down for several seconds and then, amazingly did just as she commanded. I believe this photo tells a powerful story of Faith. According to Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the "...Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we don't see." The little girl completely trusts the glass to protect her from this massive, angry, and scary creature even though the glass that is separating her from this creature is invisible. I pray that God will give you Faith today as you deal with your own Lions.

Editing

Not much. I converted to black and white and burned and dodged the shadows and reflections a bit.

In my camera bag

I love my Mark IV. When I’m traveling I usually have this camera in my backpack hoping for a moment to present itself.

Feedback

It’s hard to plan for a shot like this.. the moment just happened! The best advice I can give is to shoot a lot and certain moments will just present themselves.

See more amazing photos, follow WorldPix

It’s your time to shine! ☀️

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

Already a member? Log In

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, and acknowledge you've read our Privacy Policy Notice.