New Joiners - Animals #725

I appreciate images that adopt a bold approach to composition, as we see here. The temptation for most would be to include the entire animal in the image but, in this case, the photographer has recognised the strength of exclusion. The position of the lizard's head and body as it arches upwards is the key element, the head dissecting the line of tonal change in the background, the colours of which nicely compliment the animal. The background is out of focus, which brings all the attention to the subject. I think a tighter crop would work even better, losing some of the right side and top of the frame, but retaining the vertical format.

Gannets are such photogenic subjects, with their bright plumage and bold features. This image is taken in a popular location on the east coast of the UK, where the birds breed in large numbers, nesting on the cliffs and affording close views. There are a number of pleasing elements to this image, most notably the soft lighting which is perfect for bringing out all the detail in the plumage. I also really like the contrasting out of focus background which has allowed all the focus to remain on the Gannet. But the thing I like the most is the clever use of out of focus vegetation (in this case I'm guessing flowering Thrift) which helps frame the bottom part of the image and adds a beautiful and complimentary wash of colour to the photograph. I would have placed the bird a touch further to the right of the image which would better balance the overall composition in my view, but a beautiful image nonetheless.

Some of the technical aspects of this photograph are well executed. The lighting and exposure are well-judged, the shutter speed has allowed the bee to remain sharp with a little blur in its fast-moving wings to add a dynamic element. The depth of field is pleasing, sufficient to retain detail in the subject but not to overpower the background with too much distracting detail. I really like the complimentary colours of the insect and the flowers of the plant it is visiting. I would be tempted to crop in tighter to the subject.

This is from a series of similar images entered, all of which showed an interesting technique that produced some nice results. I love the high key the light tent has enabled the photographer to capture here - and what a great choice to put a cat inside as it was bound to be intrigued and offer numerous unique compositional opportunities. This is my favourite pose from the images entered - I really like the symmetry of the cat's head, with its ears, nose and whiskers all pointing skyward in unison - an unusual perspective for the viewer. I would have cropped in tighter to exclude the rear end and tail to the right, as I don't think these offer anything to the photograph. The colours are off - this may have been intentional, but I would prefer something true to life as I think the composition is the real art here. The photographer makes reference to struggling with a moving cat and a 1/200 shutter speed. With flash, it is the flash duration that will freeze the action (assuming the settings allow no ambient light to creep in), not the speed of the shutter, so you shouldn't find freezing movement an issue.

This must have been a fantastic experience to watch a feeding Otter in its natural environment, and this image communicates this to the viewer well. I like the overall composition, the line of the Otter's body cutting pleasingly across the frame diagonally from top right, leaving the correct amount of empty space in the bottom left of the frame. The lighting is rather dull, but this has allowed plenty of detail in the animal to be captured. It is nice to see a photographer who is not afraid to use modern ISO capabilities to enable optimum shutter and aperture settings to be used in poor light.

Black and white can be very powerful, especially with tight portraits as we see here. Taking away the colour has concentrated all the attention on composition, shape, texture and form. This is a perfect choice in this instance - the way the light is falling on the face has picked out so many details such as the wrinkles in the skin and the individual hairs for the viewer to enjoy. I also really enjoy the wistful glance away from the camera into the distance, giving the image a rather voyeuristic feel, as if the viewer is intruding on a private moment. The dark corner in the top left of the frame detracts a little, and I would have cropped in tighter to reduce its impact.

The choice to under-expose this photograph was well judged - the dark tones have given it so much character. I have always found herons to be a bit sinister-looking, and the dark mood of this image has given this bird a rather malevolent air that I find quite captivating. The light falling on the right side of the bird is exquisite, and has helped to sculpt its form and provide a three dimensional feel to the image. The branch is a little unattractive and I would have cropped tighter to reduce its impact.

Direct eye contact can be very powerful in wildlife photography as it creates a connection with the viewer. The eye contact in this image is the most important element - it is immediately arresting. The light is soft and warm, perfect for the warm, earthy tones of the mound beneath this Cheetah's feet. The side-lighting helps to sculpt the animal and give the photograph depth. The portrait orientaion is a good choice, emphasisng the shape of the mound and the animal's bold, upright posture. I would crop some of the sky from the top of the frame.

A good pet portrait needs to portray a degree of personality. This image is a great example of how successful this can be - in this case it is the addition of the toy that tells the viewer something about the dog's personality and the connection it has with its stuffed friend.. The direct eye contact creates a further connection, and I love the choice of background - the wood adds texture without distracting. The black and white conversion also works well here, bringing out all that fabulous fur detail which also works with the colour tones well. A slight pity the left paw disappears out of the right bottom corner of the frame.

This is a clear winner for me, mainly due to the fantastic light and colour the photographer has captured. I really like the relationship between all the subjects and the way they have been placed in the middle of the frame, the reflection line perfectly positioned across the centre of the image. This creates balance and a calm that reflects the stillness of the water. The warm colours of the background are to die for and I also like the four darker areas in each of the corners that draw your eye to the centre of the photograph and the group of cormorants. There is so much to enjoy in this image, beautiful stuff.

Chipmonks are so cute that they very rarely fail to please as photographic subjects. I like the composition of this photograph and find the flowers to the right of the frame add colour and balance the animal nicely. The pose of the Chipmonk is a classic - those paws held towards the mouth as it nibbles on an enticement no doubt provided by our photographer. I would have preferred a shallower depth of field, but a nicely taken image that is technically solid.

The composition of this image is so strong and you can't fail to be intrigued by it. There are many elements that can make a good photograph, and one of these is providing the viewer with a narrative. This image is a great example of that. Not only is the lighting perfect - see how the pavement shimmers and how either side is framed by the warm tones of the Mediterranean street - but the cat provides the perfect contrast to the lighter central strip of the photograph. I love its bold position in the frame, breaking all the rules so skillfully. I'm left wanting to know more about this animal and to roam the streets it calls home.

What strikes me most about this image is the diagonal split of cool and warm tones provided by the light and shade contrast in this scene. I also appreciate the mood the rising water vapour provides as it is backlit by the sun, its rays shining through the trees behind. This is so full of mood and has gentle energy that makes it hard not to enjoy. The cinematic crop is a great choice here, adding to the drama.

Cats are inquisitive by nature, and this image tells the story of that personality trait rather well. I really like the way the leaves are framing the cat's head, bringing all the attention to the eyes and the face. I also enjoy the branch leading out of the bottom right corner of the picture - this works so well with the outstretched left paw. The exposure would have been tricky to get right here - so many cameras would have wanted to under-expose the cat. There is some fringing around the leaves and sky which I find rather ugly and distracting.