New Joiners - Animals #658

This might not be a particularly original frame, but it is a clean and striking portrait of a magnificent animal - the subject's grandeur provides all the impact needed. I suspect the photographer added a vignette, or darkened the backdrop, to produce an inky, contrasting background which helps the lion 'pop' from its surroundings. A well exposed and sharp result.

I think a tighter crop - or a vertical composition - would produce a more impactful result in this instance, but I do like the idea of this shot. The photographer has carefully and effectively composed this photo with the gull looking toward the moon. There are a few obvious dust spots visible in the sky - remember to remove these using the Clone or Heal tool, and give your a sensor a clean when required.

I love the shape of this swan, with wings beautifully outstretched and illuminated by the sun. However, I'm not so keen on the processing. The photographer has increased shadow detail quite aggressively, and also warmed-up the photo. The result is a shot lacking contrast (almost HDR like) and the swan appears orange. Subtler editing would produce a more natural and pleasing result.

I love the dappled light and natural feel to this image. The main subject is nicely separated from its background and the animals and woodland behind create a sense of place. Personally, I would try to calm down the bright highlights (on some of the deer) in the background, which currently are a little distracting.

This is one of those almost 'too good to be true' opportunities, with this butterfly perfectly perched on the reptile's nose. The framing is a little too tight in my view - personally, I'd like to see a little more breathing space around the insect's wings and the iguana's spines. But I love the juxtaposition between the two animals. This is an engaging photo.

Although the twig above the squirrels back is a little distracting, overall this is an engaging shot with depth and life. I like the head-on viewpoint and the dark, cool processing. The tree frames the subject well and the vertical composition suits the shot.

This is one of those photos that, at first glance, doesn't have instant impact. However, it is an interesting shot showing behaviour and great context. The shot is well composed and really conveys a sense of place and just how wild and inhospitable the environment is. A well captured and interesting nature image.

This is not an image you can like, as I assume the photo was taken at a bull rodeo or a similar event. I'm not a fan of anything that manipulates animals, but photos like this do help tell a story and - importantly - highlight their circumstance or plight.

This is a great iPhone close-up of a stunning little insect. The small sensor found in a phone helps produce a larger depth of field - ideal for creating environmental portraits like this. It is a shame that there is a leaf overlapping the demoiselle's body and wings, but otherwise a nicely framed shot.

Taking photos from a paddle-board cannot be easy, so credit to the photographer for their skill and balance. The mirror-like reflection really makes this shot, and the vertical composition produces a result with compelling symmetry. Exposure is spot-on and the timing is good too. Maybe the inclusion of a little more negative space in front of the subject would have produced a slightly stronger composition overall.

I love the detail and sharpness of this feline portrait. The photographer has captured plenty of character too. However, for me, the negative space is in the wrong place - it should be in front off the subject (with the cat 'looking' into the space), rather than behind it.

I'll be honest, I do not enjoy photographs of animals being dressed up or manipulated. It is bad enough with cats and dogs, but somewhere it feels worse with a reptile. I know bearded dragons are very popular pets, but this type of photo makes me feel uncomfortable - sorry.

The black and white treatment really suits the texture of the goat's hair and the grain of the fence posts. The fence itself frames the animal neatly. Focusing and exposure are spot-on and the end result is a pleasing animal portrait.

I do like underwater shots taken from below the subject, looking upward into the light. This approach can create bold, impactful results - and sea turtles have such an instantly recognisable outline that they suit being silhouetted. The highlights in this shot are a little bit bright, though. A smaller aperture might have produced a starburst effect, and a more interesting final result.

Firstly, it is important to mention that photographers should always keep a responsible distance from young seals. This tightly framed portrait is striking. I love all the sand stuck to the seal's front and whiskers, and the low perspective has allowed the photographer to throw both foreground and background attractively out of focus.