New Joiners - Animals #698

I'm not exactly sure what went into taking this image, but the final result speaks for itself. The shot is a cross between a portrait and digital art in a very pleasing manner. The border collie is very cute and the orange powder compliments his black and white color very well.

A black and white conversion is the right call for this iguana image. The textures really stand out as do the patterns and edges all throughout the subject from the jagged edges to the circular scales. While the eye is not as bright and doesn't stand out, it's not a detracting feature.

I love the sense of space and environment that surrounds this dog image. The subject's placement in the frame is wise as the lighter tones from the sky allow for a stronger reflection. The stream or river guides the viewer through the frame nicely with a strong sense of depth.

This Osprey image has a lot of positive elements to include behavior, light, and composition. I love the soft, yellow sky created by the backlighting as well as the square crop, which works well with the overall scene. The in flight action is captured perfectly and the fish demonstrates their primary feeding behavior. Great work!

This is such a dramatic portrait of a puppy and it really brings you in at first glance. The dark, low key effect brings emphasis on the pup's textures and makes the eyes the star of the show. The soft yellow color of the eyes is gorgeous and the direction of its stare works well.

Most close up owl portraits in controlled conditions are taken with a head on perspective, which makes this sideways glance refreshing. The feather textures around the bill capture my attention as does the eye's reflection that includes a face or cage indicating captivity. The low key or dark background also creates a pleasing studio like effect.

I love the perspective included this composition. As a viewer, you're placed right on a Camel looking into the caravan as it proceeds through the desert during a sunrise or sunset. The light is pleasant and the colors on the riders' clothing add a nice pop of color to the overall brown scene.

When it comes to symmetry, this Red Deer image has it in spades. The head is vertically aligned in the center of the frame with each eye and antler balancing the composition perfectly on both sides. The animal is tack sharp and the distant background is pleasantly soft. The image also has great color harmony.

The depth of field selected for this image is spot on as focus falls exactly where it should, on the head of the insect. As a result, the out of focus grasses do not distract and add lines and curves which create additional interest. It's always great to see outstanding invertebrate shots.

This particular contest includes many great dog portraits such as this one. The dark mood of the overall frame is offset by the gorgeous, orange eye that adds just a slight pop of color. The water increases the textural elements as well. It's also worth noting there's a great sense of contrast even with the complimentary dark tones.

What a tender moment that's captured between these two young Lions, The empathetic expression of the Lion to the left is a highlight of the shot. The surroundings are rendered darker than both subjects brining all attention on their interaction. The surrounding textures of the trees is a nice touch as well.

This cat image represents a great usage of black and white technique. The overall darker look brings emphasis to the highlights or whites on the animal's face surrounding the head, mouth, and eyes. Upon close inspection you can see a bit of color in the eyes, which is a nice nugget for the viewer.

Gentoo penguins make for incredible subjects. I love the leading line that's created by their placement in the composition, starting in the upper left corner through to the lower right corner as the closest subject exits the frame. The fact that there's little overlap between the penguins is also a plus.

The light direction illuminates the owl's eye just right as the surrounding scene is darkened in a vignette. The out of focus orange tones in the background also compliment the subject well. The luminosity of the overall frame keeps the viewer's attention where it needs to be, which is on the owl's face.