What is Wrong with this Picture?

[Dewi]

This is also where personal taste comes into play as well.

I much prefer the composition of the second shot due to the fact that the Lion looks as if he might be about to move, giving it more drama - what has he seen? Is he about to hunt? It immediately made me ask questions as to what was going to happen next. (I'm not talking about colour v monochrome preferences here just composition/impact).

With the rule of thirds, it's accepted that this advice is given as the system works, but if you look at some of the top photographers photos, they break these rules sometimes to dramatic effect.

Great capture in the first place MM.

[Grumpy]

Of the three pictures, the second is, to me, the most dramatic. Given your liking for monochrome (and ability in photoshop ), Try making this picture monochrome, leaving just the eye in colour for dramatic effect (will it work?) The 2nd picture probably works better than the 3rd owing to the eye of the lion being placed on the top-right intersection (which I guess is what you intended when you cropped it). Crop to place it anywhere else and the picture would probably have turned out less pleasant to look at....

either way..... great post processing from an undramatic original

[Sprocky]

Grumpy, I would also like to see the second shot in monochrome with colour only in the eye. If anyone can get it right to a tee, PR can.....

[PRWIN]

Grumpy and Sprocky thanks for the challenge

[Flutterby]

Left, right...they're both nice! -O

[PRWIN]

Thanks Flutterby,

There is a big difference in the two shots above, If you look at the first the paw is leading you into the photo and up to the eye, then your gaze goes else where. the 2nd which worked in colour does not work that well now as the paw is very prominent and is obstructing the view into the photo.

[Grumpy]

The challenge was gracefully accepted and...... the resulting images speak for themselves......

[Amoli]

What did I do wrong with this pic.
I can see that I should maybe have mirrored it for staters....

I don't mind you copying and posting suggestions with the pic.

[PRWIN]

Amoli

No I wont do that on this shot as is he is looking at you and that is what you want (at least thats the way I like it). 2ndly why I say no you don't have too much space in front of the cat to play with. Also you look from left to right, by doing that you are looking into his gaze.

Another major problem is that you have cut the front paws off, now you have only one option and that is to go for a portrate shot. I would cut the bottom off half way belowe the chin and then up along the ear removing the back legs as well. Top and front is all right to me.

Then its the normale colour, highlightes amd saturation to be added th finish the shot

I am posting this now but will edded it and repost the picture and try and explane what I did when I have finished as I still have to see what will work



Firstly I croped it like I said, then I darkend the area around the lion, added yellow and orange as it was a bit light. I also rotated the crop clock wise as well to get the look down a bit, darkend certain areas on the lion and of course lightend the area and added saturation on different levels to the eyes and the cat. Lastly towned down the colours a bit and added black with highlites and sharpend it again

[Amoli]

Wow, it certainly is 'richer'. Thanks PR.
I still have the original, and will start playing around with it to see if I can match what you did.