The King's Speech

Most tight portraits of lions disappoint either because the
camera is above the lion’s eye, the distance between camera and
subject is further than one would like, or the lighting conditions
compromise the textural detail. In most cases, it is all three of these
issues and this is no surprise as lions do not live in studios and are
extremely dangerous. The opportunity to take this portrait of Yame,
the most handsome lion in Kevin Richardson’s sanctuary in South
Africa, came about because of a cave we had built for another
project. There was just one source of light, and by the time it
reached Yame’s face, it was even and kind, allowing me to
glorify its detail. I knew that even the most marginal of compositional
imbalances would have a visual impact, so the key was to be
patient. If I put the camera down, or had a breather, there would be
every chance I would lose the moment of a true 180-degree face off.
The result conveys regality, beauty and wisdom – all leading
characteristics of adult lions. They are the Kings of Africa and I think
in those precious moments in the cave, Yame had quite a
lot to tell me.