Damselflies look amazing in frame-filling close-up. Their disproportionately large eyes and antenae give them plenty of character. At this level of magnification, depth of field is water thin, so the photographer has done really well to capture such a sharp result. The diffused background helps the subject standout. A well captured and impactful insect portrait.
This is a very elegant shot with the flow and shape of the green foliage complimenting the shape of the egret's interaction. The photographer has timed this shot well and got their camera settings spot-on. The 'reverse' vignetting that the photographer has added is too strong in my view, and the brightness of the sky is very obviously darker in the middle of the frame. I would rework the file to correct this and produce a more natural and even result across the sky.
At first glance, this looks like nice shot, but it lacks critical sharpness - unfortunately the egret's eye and head are soft. This might be due to focusing, but I suspect (in this instance) the shutter speed isn't quite fast enough to freeze camera motion. Ideally, always try to select a shutter speed value that exceeds the focal length of the lens - so in this instance, a shutter upwards of 1/400sec would have been the best choice.
This is a fun, quirky shot of this row of pigeons. I love how the closest bird is looking in the opposite direction to all the others. I also like the choice of shallow depth of field. Focusing is spot-on and the light and shade provide depth. I might be tempted to crop this shot a little tighter, though, to lose a little off the top of the frame, and also exclude the distracting green railing in the bottom right.
The light and atmosphere is delightful in this image. I like the light, bright result and the timing - with mother walking proudly side-by-side with her foal. Sadly, the shutter speed is too slow and the foal is a bit blurry as a result. Next time, don't be afraid to increase ISO speed to generate a faster shutter.
The warm sunlight is gorgeous in this shot. Images like this help underline the importance of getting up early, or staying out late, in order to shoot wildlife in great light and dramatic conditions. This is an attractive shot and, while it would be preferable to see more of the crane on the left, overall this is a nice image.
This is a very eye-catching shot, with the colour of the background complimenting the robin's orange breast. The image is sharp and mouthful of food adds interest. However, I'm a little concerned at how close the photographer must have been to the nest to capture this image (focal length 132mm). Always remember to place the subject's welfare first when taking photos.
This is a very well captured and timed image. The composition is good, with the river bank behind framing the swan and providing context. I love the water droplets splashing up, and the swan's straight neck as it strains to gain enough momentum to take off. The focusing is spot-on and exposure well controlled - nicely done!
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I'm not quite sure what to make of this image. Visually, it is very eye-catching, but I'm struggling to believe this is a single file. At f/4, depth of field is so shallow that recording one butterfly in flight sharply would be an achievement, but two is exceptionally unlikely (both subjects would need to be on exactly the same plane of focus). The flare looks like it is added, rather than natural. However, the photographer hasn't supplied a lot of information, making it tricky for me to give honest and informed feedback. I suspect this is a composite - and it is well done. However, for me, photography is an in-camera skill, which is why this image isn't ranked higher.
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Welcome to Photocrowd’s ‘Animals’ contest for New Joiners! These contests are a chance for new members to introduce their photography to the community, and get a taste of how Photocrowd contests work. They can be entered by anyone within their first 28 days of joining Photocrowd. After 100 images have been submitted the contest closes and the Crowd will start rating the images. The Expert Judge will also be judging the images and writing reviews at the same time. All the winners, both Crowd and Expert, will be announced after 3 days of judging. Make sure you also check out our two other New Joiners contests - ‘People’ and ‘Landscapes’.
89 Photographers
11,794 Ratings
I really like this composition, with the young fox looking curiously toward camera, framed beautifully by the surrounding vegetation. It took me a little while before I saw the second fox further back along the path, but it adds extra interest. I like the environmental perspective and the gorgeous soft evening light. The file is a little noisy, which is a shame. But overall this is a very nicely constructed shot.
This is a really fascinating shot - the photographer has captured a really interesting moment as the cormorant batters an eel. Yes, the light is a little harsh, but the action more then makes up for it in my opinion. The photographer has reacted quickly to the action unfolding - well done. From a processing perspective, I might be tempted to calm down the highlights slightly and also apply a little noise reduction.
This is almost a nice portrait - it is sharply focused and I like the way the foliage frames the wolf. However, it is overexposed - too much light has entered the camera and the highlights are blown. Negative exposure compensation (or a faster shutter speed, if shooting in manual mode) would have resolved the issue. Or shoot when it is overcast and the light is naturally diffused.
