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Image Description
Late afternoon rainstorms are common in the Maasai Mara during the season that I prefer to visit. The downpour arrives swiftly, yet dissipates just as quickly. As sunlight filters through the receding storm, the lioness casts an over-the-shoulder gaze at something beyond our sight. The juxtaposition of lush greenery and a distant golden landscape, entwined with the lion’s regal presence, creates an ethereal yet commanding image. The combination brings to mind an impressionist painting, hence the title.
Technical Details
Nikon D500, 1/800 sec at f/2.8, ISO 1800.
Shot at 125mm using Nikon 70-200mm f2.8.
Post-processing with Lightroom Classic.
Specific Feedback
All feedback appreciated, especially on the conceptual and emotional impact of the image.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
For me the image evokes a sense of calm and strength. The lioness, seemingly at peace amidst the tall grass and light rain, suggests a moment of quiet reflection in the wild. The soft lighting and gentle rain contribute to a tranquil and serene mood, contrasting with the lioness’s powerful presence, capturing a rare and intimate glimpse into her solitary contemplation.
Hi Garnet, this is a beautiful fine art image. I love the painterly feel of it, as well as the off-scene source of light and the depth of field. The horizon disappears into the rain and gives me the impression of a vast open space. I’m also captured by her looking into the distance. The combination of her gaze and the sense of space make me wonder why she’s alone, and where are the others (?). Very nicely executed Sir!
This is indeed an artistic piece of work Garnet. I love the contemplative mood. Love the soft colors and the soft rain with the over the shoulder look into the distance. Wonderful.
The lion’s pose, the colours in the image and the textures in the grasses and rain are all wonderful. The only thing I find a bit distracting is that one stem of grass that runs almost vertically about a third of the in from the left. I don’t know how you feel about cloning but I would be inclined to remove it.
Hi @Michael_Thornton . Thank you for your kind comments. She was not alone. The rest of the group was huddled down in the grass off camera. She was the only one that remained on the small mound when the rainstorm hit. She simply turned her back on the rain, which was fortunate for me as that was the pose I wanted when the rain stopped and the light broke through.
Hi @Tom_Nevesely . Thank you for your feedback. I had convinced my self that the one stem of grass didn’t detract from the image. However, now that you mention it I cannot look at the image and see that it is the only noticeable stem of grass that is vertical and not bending with the wind. I will see if i can deal with this and repost.
A very calming, peaceful and evocative image. The lion seems to be surveying her territory, in the gentle rain, and thinking “What a marvelous place this is.” That strong vertical grass on the left is a bit of a distraction to me, as well as the 2 grasses through the shoulders.
Makes me long for Africa again (returning spring 2026)
Very well-done !
Thanks to @Tom_Nevesely and @SandyR-B , I have reworked the image to remove the suggested distractions. I am posting the reworked image for further comments.
By the way, you can edit your original post to include your re-worked image. That way viewers can quickly and easily view both and see the changes that were made.
Initial reaction: A beautiful treatment of an evocative environmental portrait with a lion’s compelling stare toward an unknown target. I love the contrast between the calm softness of the rain and the unsettled tenseness of the lion’s gaze.
Garnet: this is a wonderful capture of the lioness in the soft ligfht of a rainfall. the pose with her looking backwards over her shoulder makes you wonder what has captured her attention. The tonal renderings and captured detail are all excellent.
No idea how I skipped this image, so late to the party here
I strongly agree with others…a stunning capture !
I really admire the flow of image, how the various elements are in the flow from right to left, the rain; the grasses; the gaze of lioness; the wind (though we can’t see it, but well interpretted by grasses).
You may slightly boost the saturation of lioness selectively, if you like.
That’s a beautiful image!
Superb composition and the light-touch processing is excellent.
Her relaxed gaze and rain drops create a mood that is not often found in big cat photos.
The rework is an improvement.
