In the Lion's Den
Category: Books,Science & Math,Biological Sciences
In the Lion's Den Details
From Booklist Human fascination with lions is long-standing and won't diminish as long as photographers keep making images of them as powerful, memorable, and beautiful as Iwago's. There is almost nothing between these covers that is not image; the introduction is barely more than four pages, the captions never exceed three lines, and the typefaces of both are small (sharp, though). No one should complain, even though the subject matter--hunting, feeding, mating, playing, resting, and showing off those marvelous fangs--is familiar past the point of mere cliche. There are some surprises: a male killing another in a fight, some females contentedly mudbathing, wide-eyed lions being very careful around some elephants. Again and again, Iwago provides an especially fine image, sometimes because of framing and composition, sometimes because of an animal's expression, most strikingly because of his practice of infusing the expected golden tones of a picture with violet. Ray Olson Read more
Reviews
See the Amazon description aboveThis is an excellent set of photos that cover much of the life of lions and the Pride.The author has selected a number of telling images .The photos capture the lions and lionesses in the many roles they play, along with the wonderful photos of the Cubs.You see the lion marking his territory, fending off nomadic lions, resting ang enjoying the Cubs as well as getting the first go at the food.You also see lions mating to secure the next generation.There is also a picture of 5 lion brothers at a watering hole-- they would make a strong coalition in a Pride takeover attempt.Lionesses are seen alone or together, out huntingThere are a number of photos of lionesses with Cubs of various ages, nursing them, carrying one in her mouth, walking down a path, and the pride at rest, or at a watering hole.There are views of kills.SummaryI was really pleased with the book.Like the other reviewers, one would have to say the text is brief ( several other books I have by Japanese photographers are similar-- I presume it is the language gap )Image production could be better, but for me the number of first class images well outweighed this objection.