New Joiners - Animals #684

Certain conditions such as strong, overcast light work well for high key photography. The overexposure strategy is the right call here here as the blown highlights remove any surrounding distraction and bring attention to the alligator. Also important is the still water which provides a near perfect reflection of the subject.

This is a very interesting image and what strikes me most about it is the contrast between the subject and background. You have a delicate Boisduval's Butterfly perched on a large rock or hard stone. The shadowy chasm cuts through the composition and helps bring more attention to the butterfly.

Rabbits and hares are adorable animals but they seem to have insatiable appetites when it comes to your garden. The moment captured here will definitely bring a smile to most as there's a comedic value due to the subject's posture and expression. The sunflower leaf curves and frames the rabbit's head in a pleasing way.

This is an interesting take on a horse portrait as the photographer utilizes a strong approach to composition. The curved line that enters the frame on the left side brilliantly slopes up and down as it exits on the right. The bright background also offers a nice contrast to the dark horse.

While the baby Monkey is quite cute, there's a sense of captivity or sadness that can be felt due to the surrounding human elements and the expression on the animal's face. The placement of the monkey in the center of the frame works as it divides the wires and elements of focus.

This is a really cool take on a house cat portrait. The cat face shaped entrance almost acts as a second subject in the frame and the shadows within help separate and define the face. Also, the cat's eye color is gorgeous and really stands out amongst the surrounding bland tones.

Golden Retriever pups are incredibly cute and this image lets everyone know why that's the case. The shallow depth of field provides a buttery smooth background and the pup's placement in the frame satisfies a solid composition approach. The face is lit nicely and the sideways glance is a plus.

Belted Kingfishers are very shy and hard to get close to, so huge kudos to the photographer. I enjoy seeing all of the bird's feather detail as well as the textures on the goby. The surrounding water droplets give a sense of the bird's behavior as they are known to smack their prey around.

A minimalistic approach to wildlife photography is seldom used, but it can be so powerful. At first glance, I'm drawn to the soft colors and amazing lines created by the waves in the water. The overall blue tone serves as a calming effect to the viewer. I also like how the seabird cuts through the line pattern in a diagonal direction.

This Leopard portrait includes a powerful stare and gives the viewer a brief glimpse into their preferred habitat and hunting behavior. The cat's face is surrounded by foliage and the out of focus elements above the eyes add interest. You also get the impression this particular Leopard is eyeing prey down below.

I always enjoy unique approaches to composition and this shot definitely fits that mold. By simply flipping this dog image, the photographer takes a good capture and brings it to the next level. The trees naturally frame the subject and the diagonal line cuts through the frame perfectly. The contrast between light and dark stirs lots of interest and mood. Great work!

This Roe Deer capture is all about the gorgeous, early morning backlight. The post processing is done well as some contrast is added to separate the subject from the surrounding field. A shallow depth of field is a good choice as the the grasses are diffused with little texture and do not compete with the subject.

I absolutely love this close-up, macro shot of a bee. Seeing an animal such as this in life size form really allows for proper appreciation by the audience. Focus on the eyes is spot on and the surrounding orange tones compliment the subject well. There is also a sense of expression which is very difficult to capture with insects.

This is an aesthetically pleasing image of typical Giraffe behavior. The brown and tan tones dominate, yet there's still a nice separation between the subject and the tree line behind it. Upon close inspection, the oxpecker birds foraging on the Giraffe are a nice bonus and compliment the picture's feeding theme.