New Joiners - Animals #619

This image has lovely atmosphere and the photographer has done really well to get within shooting range of these two deer. There is only one reason why this image has been rejected - image quality. The file quality just isn't good enough. This may be due to excessive cropping - or not capturing/saving the file at its best quality setting. If it is the latter, always ensure you capture and export your photos at the highest quality setting.

This is a nice shot of a spectacular subject. The low shooting angle works really well, producing a very natural looking perspective. For me, the crop is a little tight, though - I'm not keen on the water dragon's tail being 'amputated'. More importantly, that patch of overexposed light (to the left of the reptile's head) is very distracting. A slight change of angle would have helped exclude it.

This is nicely timed shot, with the swallow captured with wings outstretched. The background is diffused and attractive and, at first glance, this is a very striking image. I would prefer the negative space to be in front of the subject rather than behind it, though. Also, the photographer has clearly cloned-out a cable (or something similar) from the photo. If you look approximately a third way down, you can see the cloned area quite clearly, stretching right across the frame. The cloning is a bit crude and could be improved. I would try again, using Content Aware Fill in Photoshop, which clones things more intelligently and seamlessly.

This is a nice, authentic shot. It is interesting to see a squirrel nibbling away at a seed pod for a change. The timing is good, with the seed pod resembling a big smile! Although the light is dull, exposure and framing are good. The vertical composition suits the subject well.

I love the backlighting in this shot of a gull in flight - it highlights the bird's shape and wings beautifully. The saturated blue sky provides a nice, colourful backdrop. The focusing is good, but for me the composition feels a bit static with the subject placed so centrally - a slight crop (to place the gull right of the centre) would improve the framing.

I'm a sucker for a cute shot with 'ahhhh factor' and this is a very sweet photo. I like the wide-angle, environmental perspective - and the photographer has caught the moment well with the squirrel on two feet, begging for food! A nicely captured and fun shot!

This might not be a 'pretty' shot, but its a well captured photo and a great bit of behaviour, with the heron carrying its fresh catch. The square aspect ratio suits the shot. A lower viewpoint might have helped place more distance between the subject and background, but I doubt getting lower would have been practical or possible in this instance.

When you photograph a common, widespread subject - like a Canada goose - you have to work hard to capture a shot that will standout from the crowd. This is not only a well timed and captured shot, but the lighting and context works well. I love the ripples and highlights on the water too. The framing is a little tight, though - the composition feels a bit crammed and claustrophobic to my eye.

I like this head-on viewpoint - damselflies are more commonly photographed in profile. Depth of field is incredibly shallow at higher magnifications, but the point of focus is perfectly on the insect's eyes. The background is attractively diffused, although the grass cutting horizontally behind the damselflies head is a little distracting. A nicely captured close-up - well done!

What an impressive animal! Using the bracken to frame the stag works well in this instance, and the light and shade in this shot create good depth and contrast. I might have included a little more space around the subject - the composition does feel a bit cramped. Otherwise, a nice portrait.

You either love or hate this type of photo. Although the photographer hasn't provided any background information, I assume this is a composite, as the shot just doesn't look real. The heron itself is a little overexposed and I'm guessing this photo wasn't taken at night! Compositionally, I'd like to see a little more space to the right to absorb the heron's gaze. Speaking personally, I'm very much an in-camera photographer - opposed to digital artistry - but its obviously very subjective. Are you a lover or hater?

This a gorgeous pooch portrait that any dog owner would be pleased with. The wintry conditions have created an attractive high-key result - and the snow clad trees behind the subject provide context. Focusing, exposure, depth of field and timing are all spot on. If I could change anything, I would just slightly increase the separation between the top of the dog's head and the tree-line behind - but that is just nitpicking!

Being a nature photographer, I normally favour shots of wild animals, rather than pets. However, this is another really good dog shot. I love the lighting, with the Christmas lights creatively draped around the German Shepherd - they add interest, sparkle and contrast to the portrait. The image boasts great eye-contact too.

I like how the light frames the two cats in this photo. I can't quite work out if the light is natural, or the photographer has achieved this effect in editing - I'm pretty sure its the result of dodge and burning. Either way, the result is effective with the area of light spotlighting the subjects. The mixture of light and shade certainly provides good depth and interest.