Lion child of the wind
Kgalagadi Lion wind blowing through his mane.
Kgalagadi Lion wind blowing through his mane.
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Oct, 2018Views
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Awards
Action Award
Zenith Award
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 6
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Earth Day Photo Contest 2019
Contest Finalist in Wildlife On The Move Photo Contest
Top Shot Award
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Photo Contest Vol 46
Community Choice Award
Staff Favorite
Peer Award
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Virtuoso
Superior Skill
Genius
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Behind The Lens
Location
Photo was taken in Kgalagadi National Park, South Africa.We are fortunate to live only 2 hours from the park and have visited a lot over the years.Time
It was taken at 12H05 on 27 December 2010. December in Kgalagadi is hot and the sun is extremely bright.Which is not perfect conditions to take photos. We were very thrilled when we found 2 lions next to the road doing what lions usually do in summer, sleep! This lion got up and walked to the watertank a bit back from the road and I took this photo on his way back to his brother. I love the way the wind blew through his mane. Lots of shadow and light points.Lighting
This photo is all about natural lighting. First of all taking photos of wildlife in a National Park it is impossible to set up a scene. This photo was taken at midday in the heat of summer. The sunlight is extremely bright and you do have a problem with heat waves. Shutter speed 1/1600. Aperture f/6.3. ISO 400.Equipment
Photo was taken with Canon 1000D and Sigma 150 - 500 lens. No tripod or flash were used. Camera was handheld.Inspiration
I must have taken thousands of lion photos over the years, but you are always hoping for something special when you spot lions in Kgalagadi. Usually the lions have dark black mane, but this one is a blond lion with a few low lights in his mane. This photo is full of movement. The lion walking towards us, the wind blowing his mane. Just love how things change within minutes. A few minutes before this photo both lions were fast asleep under the tree.Editing
I don't do much in Post-processing. I did crop the photo a bit, but other than that I did not alter anything.In my camera bag
I have my 2 Canon bodies, a Canon 7D and a Canon 550. The lens I use the most will be my Sigma 150 - 500, with the Canon 18 - 135 second. I take mainly wildlife photos and for that the combination of the Canon7D and the Sigma 150 - 500 works the best.The Canon 550 and Canon 18 - 135 combination is light enough for walking around camp taking photos. Way back when I started with a cheap point and shoot camera, reach was my biggest issue. There has not been a day I regretted getting the Sigma 150 - 500 lens. I seldom wish for more zoom, and the few time that you do wish, the photo was not worth taking in the first place. I got a Canon 10 - 22 lens last year trying now my hand at landscape photography.Feedback
All of South Africa's National Parks are great for photography. You have to be prepared for anything at any given time. You never know when and where the action will take place.You need to have your camera settings right from the moment you pick up your camera, there is seldom time to change anything once you started taking photos. My advice, to anyone starting with Wildlife photography, is to be open minded. Don't start out with a picture in your mind. It seldom turn out the same way
