Simba

LARGE - Edition of 12
Unframed - 56" x 71"
Framed - 71" x 86"

STANDARD - Edition of 12
Unframed - 37" x 47"
Framed - 52" x 62"

This photograph makes no claim to be anything other than a lion portrait.



Lions are lazy animals and sleep for most of the day. They hunt at night and around sunrise and sunset. This means very early starts and the employment of good guides with the very best tracking information. In Lewa – where this picture was taken – there are only a couple of lion prides and they are often not spotted for days.



This lion had just killed and eaten and his demeanour spanks of being both sated and content. But he is alert – his right eye is very telling and grabs our focus in the picture. It is imperative to me never to have an eyeline that suggests the cameraman is looking down on the lion. That implies human and vehicle encroachment rather than personal immersion. In this case, my eye is at the same level as his and this parity makes it a strong portrait.


The picture was taken just after 7 am. This timing generally offers the best light for lion shots on the equator and this image in a large format is a testimony to the validity of that rule. There is an intense beauty to it.

~ David Yarrow