<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/reverseimage/4844744737/" title="Lion B&amp;amp;W 1024~ by jupitersolo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/4844744737_cdefc925e0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Lion B&amp;amp;W 1024~" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/reverseimage/4844744713/" title="Lion B&amp;amp;W 1024 by jupitersolo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4844744713_59a47c59c2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Lion B&amp;amp;W 1024" /></a>

 

I prefer the second one. Not a fan of the intentional DoF on the first one.

 

Both are a bit contrasty for me. That said, I like the sharper foreground in the second one, but not the bamboo in the background. Soften the bamboo and I think it would bring out the lion more.

 

I love the contrast...but yeah I like image 2 better as well.

Try image one again....but keep the lions body in focus...just make the grass soft...I think thats why its bugging me...its just a floating head.

 

Thanks,

OK, how's this one?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/reverseimage/4847156508/" title="Lion B&amp;amp;W 3rd by jupitersolo, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4847156508_cb9c4d217d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Lion B&amp;amp;W 3rd" /></a>

 

I actually prefer #1 over #2. #2 appears to have a bit too much sharpening to me.

If there was more tonal distinction between the foreground foliage the lion, the foreground being in focus would work better IMO, but sine they are relatively similar in tonal ranges, blurring of the foreground foliage sets the lion's face apart and really makes it the clear focus of the image.

In #1, I immediately see the lion face, but in #2 I see the lion face and the mass of leaves. The OOF leaves are less distracting to my eye than the in focus leaves.

Having said that, I think it awesome that you got the lion to pose for you and sign a release etc... They can be so difficult to work with, bunch of wild animals "off set"...

 

OK, Post #5 looks great to me.

 

Post #5 is stunning Love that one much more now.

 

Second one from the first post, but I like the new one better than the first 2.

 

I like this one MUCH better. The Lion really pops a lot more against the background...and you didnt over soften the ground, looks more natural.

 

How do I make money with my awesome photgraphy consulting prowess?

 

Thanks, that's were I was heading, but wanted a few more eyes on it. I didn't take the front as much as the back and cut the opacity on the level for the foreground adjustment.

 

I like the final version much better as well. Of the first two I like the first one better as it set the lion apart from the background and foreground, but the foreground was softened a little too much.

 

yea the latest one is the tits.

 

Yeah, it just threw it off balance.


Thanks again all

 

+10

 

Pic #2-I like the detail.

 

 

#5 is spot on..

 

Wow, 5 is real good!