New Joiners - Animals #718

I love the moody atmosphere that sets the stage for this Mountain Hare image. A wider perspective gives the viewer a sense of the surrounding moorland and its preferred habitat. There' is also a some layering created by the out of focus and in focus elements. Lastly, the strong diagonal line leads your way directly to the subject. Great work!

A black and white conversion is always a good choice for Elephant images as it highlights their skin textures. Additionally, the dirt bath behavior further emphasizes the contrast in tones. The photographer wisely kept enough space above the subject to not cut out a piece of the action and motion.

This is an interesting image and requires a closer look and study by the viewer. I like the subtle, yellow tones on the Carp's mouth and how the fish cuts through the frame from one corner to another. The water in the upper right adds some diffusion and provides a sense of motion as well.

This is a very unique capture of behavior. Most Spider images that I come across are static without any sense of action or movement. To see it wrapping a wasp in its web so clearly is quite an exceptional moment. The square crop including both subjects in the center of the frame is not a distraction.

It's nice to see some invertebrate shots in an animal photo contest. The depth of field selected by the photographer works well as the entire grasshopper is in focus while the surroundings are not. Your attention is drawn to the subject and the overhead perspective is a unique as it highlights its textures.

I love the level of engagement between the horse and man in this image. While the horse is connecting with the man, its focus also appears to be on the lens in a coy manner. The editing is strong and the colors appear to be slightly desaturated in an appealing way.

The use of negative space on the right side of the frame in this dog image is a smart decision. It helps bring attention to the subject and leave space for its outward gaze. The subtle brown, red, and blue tones are pleasing and the the dog is very cute of course.

The pale blue eyes of this young Leopard cub steal the show. The split branch crossing through the frame places additional emphasis on the eyes in addition to their color. Focus is important as it needs to fall on the Leopard's face versus the surrounding elements and it is spot on.

The curious facial expression on this young Orangutan takes center stage in the image. The surrounding fence and blanket introduce human made elements and tell a larger story of our relationship with this threatened species. I feel a sense of innocence and vulnerability that comes through when studying the shot.

I've never seen an image of a Sambur before so I'm pleased to see this species for the first time. It's actually a positive that this shot was taken through the vehicle's window glass. as it incorporates rain drops and creates additional mood and atmosphere. The surrounding grasses give the viewer a sense of its habitat.

The gorgeous backlight takes this dog image to the next level by providing pleasing bokeh in the distance and an emphasis on the pup's breath. There is also a nice rim light around the dog and the frosty grass textures stand out as well. You can almost feel a slight chill in the cold morning air.

This is a such a joyful image to look at. The Rottweiller's expression and mid air action is quite the attention grabber. The out of focus man in the background adds to the story of the dog, but doesn't distract due to a shallow aperture and how he's separated in the frame.

This is such an adorable shot. The dog posed perfectly with its costume on full display for Halloween. The autumn leaves add a nice touch of color and help tell a story of Fall. The shallow depth of field is pleasing as focus falls perfectly on the pup's face while the surroundings are in a pleasing blur.

The photographer wisely used the surrounding debris to camouflage the cat as the tones blend well together. Conversely, the same debris that disguises the cat also emphasis it with wooden framing that encapsulates it perfectly. The overall gritty feel of the shot gives it a more artistic feel and could serve well as a print.