I get asked so often about culling images and which ones you should keep and edit to share. In March during an India workshop, this male tiger came to get a drink by his female. I took many images at 50 frames per second (fps) so I would have many poses to choose from.
What is it about this image that led me to share it with you? First, I love the eye contact which brings a personal connection to this magnificent beast! His eyes are powerful, confident, and intense! Second, I love the tongue position and responding water ripples. Third, I really like the ears but wish both were pointing at the camera; nevertheless, you can see how both have been torn in struggles! Fourth I love how visible the muscles are in this pose. Finally, I’m not bothered at all the entire animal isn’t visible.
There are many factors I consider when culling but eye, ear, tongue and body position are important on a drinking big cat!
OM-1 | M.Zuiko 150-400mm TC1.25x IS PRO @ 500mm
1/640’s* | F5.6 | ISO 4000
Handheld from Safari Vehicle | Processed in DxO PureRaw 5 | Edited in Lightroom Classic
*I pushed my shutter speed a bit as he drank for a very long time.
