New Joiners - Animals #731

This image demonstrates how simplicity can be so successful in photography. In this case, the photographer has recognised the way the light is falling on this longhorn, and deliberately under-exposed the shot to highlight the shape and form it sculpts. The conversion to black and white further simplifies the photograph and adds to its impact. I also really like the bold crop which compliments the dramatic lighting really well. This is an image that demonstrates the power of exclusion in photography - taking away distracting detail through exposure, colour removal, and bold composition. This is a real lesson in how to use light to create drama in a simple portrait and I love it for that.

Weasels are an animal that love to hide away in log piles, dry stone walls, and the like. This is an image that captures their love of those environments well. I really enjoy the upright, curious posture of the animal, the eyes and face in sharp focus capturing lots of detail for the viewer to appreciate. The lighting is complicated, yet delicate, and the photographer has judged the exposure well to produce a pleasing result. I would crop in a little tighter to remove the distracting out of focus element in the bottom right corner, and reduce the empty space at the top of the shot.

This image is a great example of the photographer thinking about all the elements to create something well balanced and visually appealing. I love the gorgeous warm tones of that soft evening light - perhaps the most essential ingredient to its success. The way the photograph is divided into clear and well-balanced portions with clear separation is also pleasing. Those two lines of Zebra could not have been placed better, and that bull Elephant is expertly positioned in such a commanding area in the frame. It’s a bold move to have him so close to the edge of the image, but it works so well, his posture so animated - it’s as if he is herding these animals into the uniform lines we see. What I appreciate the most about this shot is the choice of crop. This is such an overlooked part of post production - the panoramic crop in this case compliments the scene perfectly and gives it that cinematic edge. A slight shame about the Zebra cutting through the bottom right edge of the image, but this takes nothing away from a well crafted photograph.

There are some very technically accomplished images in this selection, and this is perhaps one of the most perfect. Composition, lighting, exposure, focus, and depth of field are all well judged and combine to make a very successful image. This is clearly taken by a photographer that understands how to use flash to create atmosphere and three-dimensional depth. But to create truly successful images, you need an extra element. This is provided in this shot by that tongue which rightly takes centre stage - it’s the first thing your eyes jump to. Captured at the perfect moment, it provides the gecko with real personality that the viewer can connect with. If an image can elicit an immediate emotional response from the viewer, then you know it works.

Bald Eagles are another popular subject for photographers. Photographing them in flight is one of the more difficult things to do well. The photographer has demonstrated skilled use of the technical settings to achieve a good balance of exposure, and to ensure a sharp shot. A fast shutter speed is a must if you want to keep everything sharp, at least 1/2,500 second, as was used in this instance. A dark bird against a dark background often won’t yield the most impactful results, but the way the light is catching the primary wing feathers has created enough separation for this shot to work. When cropping images like this, it is often best to leave more room (on the left in this example) for the bird to ‘fly into’. This creates a more relatable image for the viewer and a better balanced shot overall.

Puffins are such endearing birds that create an immediate connection with the viewer. This image is a little different from the crowd, giving us a glimpse of part of this bird we don’t often see. It’s rather a treat to be able to enjoy all the detail in that bright orange gape which grabs all your attention from the moment you set eyes on the photograph. The cooler tones of the uncluttered background are the perfect partner to ensure your undistracted gaze remains where it needs to be. I rather like the slightly off-centre positioning in the frame too. I think improvements could be made in post production to add some contrast, bring out the whites better and really make the image pop.

The Bee-eaters’ good looks and colourful plumage make them popular photographic subjects. This is an example of a classic, much-photographed image as the bird poses for the camera with the prey that gives it its name. There is so much that the photographer has got right here. The exposure is spot on, the background nicely out of focus and uncluttered, the focus is on the bird’s eyes with sufficient depth of field to ensure that there is plenty of detail in that gorgeous plumage, and the pose has been captured at the perfect moment. It’s a shame that the edge of the frame clips the bird’s tail feathers, plus the crop used leaves too much dead space in the top right corner.

There is something rather enigmatic about Brown Hares and this is a classic pose that conveys this feeling. Technically, there is simply nothing to fault here. The composition is very strong, the symmetry makes this image work so well, and the overall crop balances the shot well. The point of focus is on those eyes that are staring down the lens, creating a connection with the viewer. The long lens has rendered the background nicely out of focus, it being of a complimentary, even tone that ensures all the attention is in the subject. The overcast lighting conditions are perfect for capturing all the beautiful detail in this mammal’s fur. Lovely work.

The thing I like most about this image is the lovely detail in the lizard’s scales that has been captured. The way the light is falling upon the animal’s skin has created a three-dimensional quality that really brings those scales alive. The exposure is well-judged, tricky with a background of contrasting light. The depth of field has retained the detail in the animal, but put the background out of focus. The background is a little cluttered and distracting, but this photograph has so many qualities to enjoy.

What I like about this image is the symmetrical relationship between the gosling and its parent. The head positions of the two provide a nice balance to the frame. I also like the fact that the focus is deliberately on the gosling, with the adult softer and fading a little into the background. This conveys attention on the youngster, with the parent taking a supporting, protective role. The choice to exclude all of the birds was a good move as this further concentrates attention on the complimentary head positions. The lighting conditions looked a little challenging with some contrasting light, but the photographer has balanced the exposure well to retain details in both the highlight and shadow areas. I would be tempted to clone out the bright blade of grass at the bottom of the frame as this draws my attention a little.

One of the things that has struck me about this selection is the strength of the compositions. This image is a great example of that - viewer’s should appreciate the placement of the spider in the frame here, and the way the photographer has used the silk threads of its delicate web to reach into the corners of the frame to anchor the image. Also note how the brightest area of light has been positioned behind the subject, the darker portions forming a natural vignette to further frame the main character. The lighting on the spider is subtle and effective, showcasing some beautiful detail with good depth of field. A very strong image with immediate impact.

This image is so full of character - I love the way the composition leads the eye directly to the Cheetah’s face as it slumbers, head turned towards the viewer, eyes tightly shut and chin resting on its shoulder. What is this animal dreaming of? The lighting is beautifully soft, and this has allowed so much detail in the fur to shine through. It’s also nice to see a delicate touch with post-production which makes the most of the details and colours. I would crop a sliver off the left of the frame to improve the balance, but a minor adjustment to a well-captured shot.

Including a lot of environment in wildlife images can be more difficult than it would first appear. Balancing a composition in a pleasing way with a dynamic subject can be frustratingly difficult at times. This image has managed to capture that balance really well and provide the viewer with a window into this animal’s world. I enjoy the bold placement of the sheep as it stands proudly at the top of its domain, the blue background sky the perfect contrast to the warm, earthy tones of the rocky outcrop. While all the emphasis may be on our triumphant-looking peak-bagger, look around the image for a little longer and you will discover another animal seemingly making the arduous journey to join its companion.

The composition of this shot is so strong. I love the way the fox is directly side on to the photographer who has chosen to place the head and shoulders in the bottom left corner. This leaves so much space in the rest of the image for the animal to look into and for the viewer to enjoy the lovely meadow environment which acts as a natural frame for the main character. The exposure and focus is bang on the money and I like the little pops of colour provided by the flowering thistles. The grass stem in front of the animal’s face is rather dominating and distracting - removing this in post-production would be my choice.