New Joiners - Animals #598

This should be a nice enough portrait, but unfortunately, it's just not sharp enough. Be careful to place the point of focus on the animal's eyes and be prepared to take a series of shots to ensure at least one successful frame. Remove dust spots (top right corner) during editing using the Heal or Clone Tool.

What wonderful visitors to have coming to your back garden. This is a well-captured image, with both foxes sharply in focus and the flowerpots in the background providing an urban context. A slightly lower viewpoint might have produced a more intimate perspective.

This is a lovely story and a well captured portrait. The dark, clean background really helps the dog 'pop' from its surroundings. The low viewpoint is natural and the processing adds a sense of drama. However, there is a little bit of haloing obvious beneath the Bulldog's head, around its shoulder. I think a fraction more negative space is needed to absorb the subject's intense gaze.

I have kids and I recognise the look of impatience that you can see in this mother's eyes! This is a nicely timed and captured shot. It is just a shame that the faces of both cubs are obscured. As it is, I might be tempted to crop this image tighter to focus more on the adult's head and expression. Doing so would would also exclude a few distractions from around the edge of the frame.

This is a sweet shot. The cygnet appears to be swanning around (excuse the pun!) on its parent's back - and I love the swan's little glance back toward its young. Exposure is well controlled with highlight detail retained in the bright plumage. The mirror-like reflection creates a balanced, symmetrical frame. For my taste, the composition is slightly tighter than it needs to be, but overall a very strong shot.

I like this shot. Starlings are beautiful birds and you can how iridescent their plumage is from this photo. Despite the high ISO, noise is well-controlled and the photographer has done well to capture some action - with the bird flapping its wings and shouting. Unfortunately, the brightly lit twig (to the left of the frame) and foliage obscuring the starling's wing (top right) are distracting, and push this shot out of my top 10.

This is a really gorgeous flight shot. I love the timing and the shape of the egret as it takes off. The focus is perfectly on the subject's eye and there is plenty of detail to enjoy - including tiny water droplets falling from its feet. The soft, subtle backdrop compliments the bird beautifully. Exposure is well controlled too. A top shot and worthy winner.

This is a decent enough capture, but - in my opinion - it could have been so much better by simply turning the camera vertically. The subject's feet are abruptly cut-off, and its composed tightly at the top of the frame too. A vertical composition would have solved this, providing space top and bottom, and creating a more balanced composition overall.

I like this 'voyeuristic' style of nature photography, shooting through vegetation using a shallow depth of field to capture very authentic and natural results. The out of focus foliage help frame the nest and direct the eye to the birds. However, it is worth me reiterating that taking photographs of nesting birds should only be done responsibly - ideally from a hide and from distance. Disturbance can cause adults to abandon eggs.

I like the contrast between the subject and cool, blue tone of the rocks. However, for me, this shot could have been dramatically improved by opting for a lower shooting angle - the elevated perspective is unflattering. Next time, get down on the ground and shoot from eye-level.

There is lots to like about this leopard portrait - for example, the rich colours, detail, and well-controlled exposure. However, the branch overlapping the cat's face is hugely distracting and unfortunately undermines the shot. I'm assuming the photographer couldn't adjust their shooting position. Therefore, all you can do in situations like this is wait until the subject changes position, allowing you to achieve a clean shot. Patience is often the key..

This shot has bags of atmosphere. It is a tricky shot to capture with such a dark subject contrasted against a bright sky, but the photographer has controlled exposure well, revealing detailing in all the key areas. You can see a little 'haloing' around the subject's body, though, caused by the localised adjustments. The dark cloud frames the raven really well and the unconventional crop is eye-catching.

This is a bold composition, with the post placed centrally and the subject positioned high in the frame. But it works well I think - the composition certainly makes you stop and look. The light, bright processing and squarish aspect-ratio give the photo a slightly fine-art appearance. The gull's white plumage is a little too bright and washed out for my taste.

There is something about this shot that I really like. Maybe its the processing and tone, which gives this photo a timeless, retro feel. Or just the subject's slightly comical appearance. However, it is an engaging portrait, boasting lovely detail, texture and sharpness.

I love those out of focus highlights in the background of this spider shot. The photographer has done well to carefully position themselves so that the spider is placed neatly within one of the bright circles - doing so highlights the spider, and helps give the image depth. I might be tempted to reduce overall contrast slightly and also tidy up a few distractions caught within the web. A nicely captured close-up.