Developing a hunting strategy

Image Critiques Wildlife Critiques
1

Developing a hunting strategy.jpg
Developing a hunting strategy.jpg1500×1000 161 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

On a morning drive just at sunrise, I noticed two Cape buffalo staring in a specific direction. Following their gaze, I detected the head of a female lion protruding from the tall grass, and a group of lions a short distance away. To compose my image, as an over-the-shoulder shot, I had the driver carefully move the vehicle so that I could focus on the two buffalo as the subjects, with the single lioness to one side, and the rest of the lion group forming an out of focus foreground.

The image depicts a group of lions implementing a strategy for a buffalo hunt. The solo lioness is the ‘Hunt Chief’ (the dominant pride female). Largely hidden by the tall grass she moves to attract the attention of the buffalo. At the same time, she communicates which individual is her choice of prey to the rest of the hunting party. The other participants will then attempt to separate the two buffalo and assist the hunt chief to subdue the chosen animal.

Specific Feedback

Any and all comments are welcome.
I am particularly interested in critiques on composition and storytelling.

Technical Details

Camera equipment: Nikon D850, 1/1600 sec @ 420mm, f / 4.0, ISO 800, -0.33 EV.
Lens: Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 300mm, f2.8G ED VRII +1.4 TC)

Critique Template

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  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:
2

A great story framed very effectively ! Such stories are normally conveyed effectively in a video, but you have succeeded in a single frame, that’s a big achievement !
Ideally, I would have preferred to have watching oof lions completely inside the frame, but you were shooting with a fixed lens, anyway that is not a deal breaker.
Cheers :heavy_heart_exclamation:

3

I agree with what Jagdeep has said here Garnet. This is a well composed image of the hunting strategy at play. Well done.

4

Exactly as Jagdeep says. I have nothing to add. Having seen what you describe live before, I haven’t been able to tell the story of how lions hunt in one image like you just did. Great!
Grt, Ingrid.

5

Thank you @JRajput , @Ed_Williams and @Ingrid_Vekemans for your feedback. It is much appreciated.
I apologise for the delayed response. Sometimes life, and Mother nature (in the form of the recent atmospheric river), interfere with our plans. I will respond more quickly in future.