New Joiners - Animals #540

When photographing animals, it is not always possible to frame shots as accurately as you would wish. Therefore, it is important to remember to crop images during editing to ensure you achieve clean and well-framed shots. In this instance, the bike handlebars in the bottom right corner are hugely distracting. A tighter crop would vastly improive this shot.

This is an excellent nature shot. The low viewpoint, exposure, and focusing are all spot-on. The timing and technique are near perfect and I also like the slightly unconventional composition, with the hare running out of frame (with more negative space behind, rather than in front of the subject). This highlights the snow the animal has disturbed, helping create a sense of speed and movement. A superb shot - well done!

The low-level, natural perspective really suits this shot - combined with a large aperture, a low viewpoint will help you highlight your subject against a diffused backdrop. I love the glimpse of sea and surf in the background - it helps create a sense of place. It's a shame we can't see more of the sanderling's profile and bill, though.

This is a very sweet image, but a little too contrived for my own personal taste - I favour subjects being captured in a natural looking setting. Shooting captive subjects can be a good way of honing technique - as long as they are captured at good, ethical wildlife centres.

This is one of those photographs that at thumbnail size looks very impactful, but when viewed larger, just isn't quite sharp enough. It is essential that the eyes of animals shot in portrait are bitingly sharp, otherwise impact is lost.

This is a wonderful photo, showing both hunter and hunted. You can practically see the alarm in the hare's eyes as it sees danger approach - and also the increasing urgency in the foxes step as it realises it's been rumbled. This shot is beautifully natural - it tells a story, yet allows the viewer to imagine the outcome. A superb nature shot - well done!

This shot won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I like the bold, graphic nature of this high-key composition. It is a beautifully simple and the black and white conversation suits the frame perfectly. Stark, but striking. I wonder if a landscape format composition might have worked better than vertical, though?

The photographer might have only had a few seconds to capture his shot, but they did a very good job nonetheless - capturing the brief moment this roe deer popped its head up above the crops to sniff the air. It is well focused and surprisingly sharp given the slow shutter speed. The diffused, low contrast light is attractive. It is a well framed and interesting shot.

I do like the intelligent use of depth of field in this shot. The cat's head and eyes are pin sharp, yet the shallow zone of focus has rendered the animal's outstretched leg out of focus. This has helped create an effective lead-in line. You can achieve amazing results using your camera phone.

This is a beautiful portrait. I love the bold framing and gorgeous, golden backlight. Focusing and depth of field are spot on and the photo boosts compelling eye-contact. Is it just me that also finds the image slightly humorous - with this large, apex predator appearing to play hide and seek behind one, tiny branch! A great image.

While it is obvious from the leather jesses on the owl's legs that this is a captive bird (and possibly shot in a studio), this remains a well lit and attractive shot. Barn owl's are such beautiful birds and the sidelight really helps highlight the owl's distinctive outline and markings.

This is a stunning pooch portrait, that any owner would be thrilled to have on their wall. The warm sunlight really gives the shot life, depth and saturation. The golden, autumnal bracken creates a compelling and colourful frame and the dog's eyes hold the viewer's attention. Lovely...

I love shots of water birds captured from a low-level perspective, such as this photo of a little grebe. It is rarely easy (and often without risk) to get a camera and lens down to water level, but doing so reduces the surrounding water to an attractive blur and helps the subject standout boldly. A well executed shot.