This photograph was taken on a rainy afternoon in the Maasai Mara. I had a specific frame in mind and was patiently waiting for the right moment. Living in the Mara full-time gives me an advantage in anticipating such opportunities.
When our guide mentioned that a lion pride had made a kill, I knew this was the perfect time. Typically, lions remain inactive during the rain, either sleeping or seeking shelter under trees. However, after a successful hunt, they tend to be more active, increasing the chances of capturing dynamic moments.
Lions carry a significant amount of water in their manes during rainfall. Once the rain subsides—or sometimes even during a heavy downpour—they shake it off in a dramatic motion. Observing the most active individual in the pride increases the likelihood of capturing this behavior.
For a black-and-white image like this, a dark or green backdrop is essential to create a deep black background, making the raindrops stand out. If the shot is executed well in-camera, post-processing becomes minimal. Here, it was simply a matter of increasing the highlights and lowering the shadows to achieve a starry, glistening effect on the falling raindrops.
