New Joiners - Animals #560

I love how crisp and sharp this image is and despite being a bright day, you've exposed it well and ensured that the giraffe isn't in harsh, direct sunlight. The shallow depth of field ensures the background isn't distracting or detrimental.

Zoo photography can be challenging when it comes to photography as the enclosures aren't often photogenic or appropriately lit. You've used the foreground really well to frame the image and I think it works really well in black and white.

I truly love artistic images like this which utilise a slow shutter speed to introduce motion to your image and adds a mythical feel. You can tell what the subjects are which is sometimes lost if poorly done and my only feedback would be to increase the exposure slightly to make the image pop even more.

Gulls are often highly overlooked when it comes to wildlife photography but they can be incredibly photogenic which you've expertly shown here. I love that you've chosen black and white as it works really well with the contrast and outlines of the subjects.

I love how well you've captured this with the action completely frozen and no motion blur. The low shooting angle works really well and the shallow depth of field ensures that the background isn't distracting. If anything, that gorgeous colour adds to the image.

The fine feathers on the back of this beautiful egret are so crisp and sharp and I like that you've captured the image as the bird is lifting the foot. The composition is spot on and the exposure is good with no blown highlights or lost details.

The light in this image is divine and I love how you've captured it with the wings spread and her looking over at you. The composition is spot on and the shallow depth of field ensures that the background foliage doesn't distract.

Whilst this image arguably breaks some compositional 'rules' with the subject looking out of the frame, I'd argue it works in this image. I think it works really well in black and white and I like the separation from the background.

It can be challenging to capture a good image of snails and slugs when it comes to wildlife or macro photography but I love what you've done here. The low angle works incredibly well and the entire subject is in focus. I'd consider increasing the exposure ever so slightly so we can appreciate some of the smaller details.

The lighting in this image is fabulous with no blown highlights or lost details and I like the separation from the background to the mice. The centralised composition works well and you waited for the right moment to ensure that both mice were looking down the lens.

The foliage in the foreground here works really well to frame the cat and I love how well the eyes pop from the image. It works well in black and white and whilst it 'breaks' some photography 'rules', I think it's a stunning image.

The centralised composition works well here and the two zebra are so similarly placed it's almost as if it's a mirror image. It works well in black and white with the contrast popping nicely and the shallow depth of field minimises any distracting elements from the background.

I love the colour palette on this image as it's vibrant but still natural. The focus, depth of field and exposure all look good and and I like the composition. Be cautious if using sharpening or de-noise software as it can sometimes leave artefacts behind on the image.