New Joiners - Animals #693

There is a lot going on in this image and that's what makes it stand out. You have interaction within the seal group and between the seals and a curious gull overhead. The light is diffused, all subjects are in focus, and the soft colors are rather pleasing. The gulls observing on the right side of the frame are a nice bonus.

The black and white conversion is a great choice and I appreciate how the composition breaks the rules with the Deer facing out of the frame. The velvet antlers flow away from the face nicely and balance out the weight of the image. This is an artistic shot and can work well as a print.

Orangutans are incredibly special primates and facing lots of adversity due to habitat loss. You can't help but to be drawn in to this individual's stare and expression. The contemplation and sadness makes you wonder if he knows the challenges that lie ahead. This is a beautiful, yet haunting image.

This ram image demonstrates a great sense of space and atmosphere. The ram blends in to the gorgeous surroundings, yet still stands out enough to anchor the center of the frame. You can't ask for a better scene as the supporting habitat perfectly compliments what this species is all about.

I have come across several Peacock images that take a similar approach to composition, but this one sticks out in a positive way. The bird's position in the lower right hand corner of the frame adds more interest. The feathers completely comprise the background and color is off the charts.

Getting an eye level perspective is key to the success of this image. The dark or low key feel creates a pleasing mood for the overall shot and helps the green tones stand out and take center stage. The line of focus falls nicely on the face and eyes to create engagement.

This image comes with a powerful story and the overall feel matches the message in my opinion. The dark mood and subtle illumination on the subject is very well done here. I rather like how the highlights pop on the mouth and neck. While dark, you can still see a glimmer in the eyes and texture in the antlers.

I love the golden light in this image as it adds great color and compliments the cormorant silhouettes. The positioning of the birds works well as they are engaged with each other and not looking away. The varying height of the perches is also pleasing and creates a a diagonal line of interest.

This image took a lot of hard work by the photographer and it paid off. The low perspective is essential to the shot's success as is the bird's sideways glance. The one leg trick is a nice touch as well as the surrounding color that helps make the scene pop for an otherwise drab bird.

This is a unique photo as it tells a story, but also has an abstract feel about it at the same time. The textures of the sheep stand out at first glance, and then you get an understanding of what's going on based on closer inspection. Seems like these sheep definitely conform to the herd.

Wow, talk about capturing a moment of action in just one frame. Getting all four of these dolphins airborne is quite an accomplishment. While the shutter speed was not fast, it was fast enough to freeze the movement. The water contrails give context for how high these animals can jump.

This is an absolutely stunning portrait of a wild Corsican Mouflon. The soft light is just perfect and compliments the entire scene well, including the tones of the animal. The eye contact is dead on, creating a strong sense of connection for the viewer. The surrounding frame sets the scene without distraction. Great work!

I like how this image helps convey a sense of scale between the ladybird and our own size. Using a pink flower petal for the out of focus background is a nice touch and compliments the rest of the frame well. I also like the curved line that works its way from one side of the frame to the other.

I don't see many Jaguar portraits so this immediately caught my attention. The gaze into the distance conveys a strong sense of pride and power, which match up well with this species. The dark vignette helps to remove any distractions and puts the viewer right on the subject and its expression.

This horse image has a nice surprise when after a quick study. The young one peeking behind the adult's neck is definitely a bonus and helps this shot to stand out. Some of the details are also interesting to including the flies surrounding the eye, nose, and mouth. Good textures are on display in the mane also.