New Joiners - Animals #609

Puffins are such charismatic birds and it's always a pleasure to see appealing shots of them. The vantage point is a bit unique here and works with the side light illuminating the bill and a recent catch. The exposure is on point regarding the highlights and also helps darken the surroundings to bring attention to the subject.

I enjoy how this shot places emphasis on the amazing gape of a male Lion. Yawn or roar, it's still something amazing to see and credit to the photographer for being ready to capture the moment. Lions, even while resting, give a sense of majesty that's inspiring for any onlooker.

This well timed shot is another example of an environmental frame that adds interest to the viewer as it includes behavior and a moody atmosphere. When observing this composition I get a sense of the space and feel as if I'm there. It's inviting to the viewer and you can only wonder how loud that stag's call actually is.

I love the wide angle perspective on this Camel shot and the black and white conversion is the definitely the right choice here! Utilizing a monochrome look helps with the bringing out the textures on the animal, the waves, and the moody clouds as any color distractions are pushed aside. Great work!

The photographer's usage of color in this image really make it stand out and I suspect that was the desired effect. The snake's behavior combined with the vibrant reds and yellows make any viewer stop right in their tracks. While not venomous this frame gives you the impression it's best to back off and not get any closer.

Comedy is a powerful tool that's not often used to its fullest potential when it comes to animals. This is an adorable image and something that will make any onlooker smile when seeing it. The composition makes a nice usage of the available lines and there's a sense of depth as well.

The stare of a Leopard is something I've seen in person and an event that I'll never forget. This is an incredible portrait and the surrounding foliage is used wisely as a natural frame that supports the image without taking away from the animal. The stare captured reveals a look of intimidation and power, which is representative of such a formidable predator.

This snake image has some appealing depth and exaggeration due to the wide focal length used. I appreciate the photographers choice to convert the image to black and white, yet keeping the eye's color to ensure that's where the attention will land. Upon close inspection it's also nice to see the body trailing into and out of the upper right hand side of the frame.

I've always wanted to photograph a Walrus and spend some time with this species. This is a delightful image and I'm immediately brought in to the formidable tusks on these amazing creatures. The textures on the upright individual reveal just how tough these animals are built and what they withstand in the harshest of environments.

I love animal images such as this one that include a surrounding environment and go beyond the standard portrait. I'm amazed at how close the photographer was able to get to this gull as the shot was taken with an iPhone. The composition is strong here as it takes advantage of a diagonal line that splits the frame up nicely.

What makes this image standout for me is the color harmony. I appreciate how the greens in the Iguana compliment the background colors. Further, the textures and details on the animal are in fully display for the viewer. The engagement factor is also quite high with the reptilian eye also grabbing attention.

There are some animal shots that require a second look and this capture absolutely beckons one. At first glance I almost missed the young chick sticking out in the lower left corner of the frame. It's a nice surprise and reward when the audience gives the shot its full attention.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm seeing here, but it certainly peaks my interest. I suspect it's a caterpillar of some sort. You can make many analogies, though this reminds me of a bad hair day that we all experience at some point. This shot plays to the amazement of diversity in animal life and some humor to go along with it.

Black and white conversions work well with Zebra shots and this one is no exception. I love how the young one is framed up against its parent in a beautiful show of intimacy that's noticeable to the viewer. You also get a sense of the future potential for the young Zebra as to what it will hopefully become.