Marbled whites are gorgeous butterflies and it is lovely to capture two or more together. However, it is always hard to record two insects sharply in one frame due to the limited depth of field - and focus stacking is rarely practical with lively subjects. The photographer has done well in the circumstances. The warm, saturated processing isn't to my taste, but the shot has plenty of impact.
Nature photography and conservation have close ties and this photograph tells a story. It is a lovely image, highlighting the rhino's close bond and also the fragility of their existence due to the ongoing threat of poaching. The light, detail, and tight composition combine to create a strong image. The background blur looks odd in places, though - particularly just in front of the mother's ear. I'm not quite sure what has caused this issue, though?
The dark, mono conversion has created an atmospheric result. This is an intimate shot, with the grasses and out of focus foliage creating a natural frame - providing an almost voyeuristic feel to this image. As the photographer says, black and white is an excellent medium for placing emphasis on texture and markings.
Although the subject is a little too central in my view, I do like the natural frame the branches provide. The photographer has done well to find a clear, uninterrupted view of the squirrel. I'd be tempted to crop a little off the left of the image-space - doing so would effectively place the subject left of centre looking into the negative space.
What a lovely story and a fun and well-captured photo, too. This shot boasts great eye-contact, with the cub looking directly down the lens. The overcast light suits the subject. The subject is beautifully sharp and the shrubs and pots make a great frame. This is an engaging urban portrait - and just reward for helping take care of this fox family. Well done.
I would love to know the story behind this photo - where was it taken, how did the photographer manage to get so close to the subject, and their flash set-up? Although I personally favour images with a little more breathing space, this is a well captured shot. The subject is sharp and the photographer has captured a sense of motion, which provides interest and energy to the shot.
100 Images entered
This is a very simple, but beautiful seasonal image. I love the 'wall' of texture and camouflage that the grasses and branches behind the fox provide. Overcast light helps photographers capture fine detail and accurate colour, and the dull conditions suit this frame. With the fox looking directly toward the camera, eye-contact is strong.
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’.
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I love this egret's ruffled feathers - it is certainly having a bad hair day! For me, the subject its too central, though - the composition would benefit from having more space in-front of the bird. Unfortunately, on close inspection, the egret just isn't sharp enough - nature photos are rarely successful if the subject's eye isn't pin sharp.
This is so close to being a top shop, but ultimately it falls down due to a lack of separation. Unfortunately, the main subject merges with the gull behind, which dilutes the photo's impact. The framing is also too tight, with both wingtips 'clipped' by the edges of the frame. When shooting flight or action, always frame your subject with a little extra space around it to prevent accidental amputation!
This flight shot is well timed and a very good effort indeed. However, the dull conditions can make it harder for AF to lock-on to subjects and the harrier's eye is not quite sharp enough. Despite the relatively low ISO, the image is also quite noisy - consider using noise reduction software, like Topaz Labs DeNoise AI.
This is a strong and beautifully sharp and detailed portrait of a truly impressive animal - you certainly wouldn't guess it was taken through plexiglass. In my opinion, the contrasty light would suit this photo being converted to black and white. Removing the distraction of colour would create a stronger, more impactful result. Give it a try...
This is a nicely captured shot with lots of context and interest. Unfortunately, the dark background has fooled the camera's TTL metering into over-exposure, and the photo is too bright. Thankfully, in this instance, it should be easy enough to correct in post processing - just drag back the exposure slider until the image looks more natural and less washed-out.
