Despite being shot in captivity, this image has a natural feel to it. The photographer has captured character and expression. The shallow depth of field - combined with pinpoint focusing on the gorillas eyes - helps direct the viewer straight to the animal's eyes. It is a beautifully captured and composed portrait with gorgeous bokeh.
When you look at this shot you are simply struck by the amazing detail and beauty of the eagle's plumage. Its feathers are bitingly sharp and defined. However, should the point of focus be on the subject's eye instead? The depth of field is too shallow to record the eagle's eye and beak sharply, which - personally - I find a little distracting.
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100 Images entered
I really like the environmental feel to this elephant shot. The trees create a natural frame for the subject and the subdued tones in the background provide a pleasing backdrop. My only real niggle is the tree stump just behind the elephant that looks like an extra leg! It probably wasn't practical to move, but a very slight change in shooting position would have hidden the stump behind the animal.
You see so many photographs of mallard ducks, but this is a little bit different. I love this little flotilla of ducks - they are nicely spaced, and mostly all moving in the same direction. The frame is well balanced and the colourful reflections and light are attractive. A nice environmental portrait.
Photographing anything in flight is tricky, but insects are really challenging. The photographer has overcome the restrictions in light and depth of field to capture a really good shot. The bee is sharp and nicely placed. Although a faster shutter would have recorded more definition in the insect's wings.
Brief
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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’.
84 Photographers
8,036 Ratings
This shot is beautifully sharp and the exposure is spot-on. However, the framing isn't quite right. The thick tree branch in the top right corner feels heavy and dominant, while the two monkeys are abruptly cut off at the bottom of the frame. The composition either needs to be wider - or intentionally much tighter.
This is a really well timed shot with the two doe's nose-to-nose. The wintry conditions are lovely, but unfortunately the image quality just isn't good enough - the file is quite soft and pixelated. This might be due to excessive cropping - or maybe the camera's finest quality setting had not been selected? The framing is a little tight too in my opinion - I'd like to see a bit more breathing space around the subjects.
This is a beautifully sharp shot and the diffused backdrop helps the subject standout. However, in my view, the kingfisher is too central in the frame, which produces a rather boring, static composition. Placing the bird to the right of centre - looking into the space to the right - would produce a more engaging result.
This is a very cute shot on three very young fledglings. The image lacks critical sharpness, but the framing and exposure are good. However, it is worth underlining the importance to keep a responsible distance away from young and newly fledged birds. They are highly vulnerable at this stage and you do not want to inadvertently stop the parents visiting with food - or prematurely disperse the young birds or cause them alarm.
The selection of a high ISO has allowed the photographer to employ a shutter speed fast enough to capture this action. The shot is superbly timed and the water motion - created by the dog jumping into the water - has generated a frame and interest. The mirror-like reflections produce great symmetry.
This is a fantastic moment of interaction between mother and young. The two juveniles on the wire are both nicely in focus. I love the hungry swallow on the right, mouth gaping, demanding to be fed next. The photographer has timed this image expertly well. A slightly faster shutter would have helped record the adult bird more sharply, though. And the tight crop has unfortunately amputated the tip of the juvenile's wing. A great action shot, though - well done.
It is always good to see photographers trying to be innovative and creative with perspective. This low, worm's eve viewpoint produces a really impactful result. It is sharp in the right places, and the colour of the swan's beak adds punch and directs the viewer toward the swan's eye. A well 'seen' and captured portrait.
I think this composition is fabulous. I love how the other gulls frame the subject so perfectly. A brilliantly timed shot - whether it is intentional or not. The shot is a little dark in my opinion, though - I would increase exposure slightly and maybe also shave a little space off the top of the frame. A very eye-catching photo.
