New Joiners - Animals #736

Most Jellyfish photos that I come across contain the standard perspective of one rising up rather than upside down so this is refreshing. The pastel color combination of blue and pink is appealing and a true highlight of the image. I also appreciate how the tentacle angle toward the upper left corner of the frame.

This is a high impact image that grabs your attention at first glance. It's as much of a landscape image as it is an animal image. The energy in the water and the Gull flying over the King Penguin group really stick out. There's so much atmosphere and the layering from water to mountains to sky is amazing. Fantastic work!

Atlantic Puffins are a favorite bird of many and you can see why. These birds are extremely photogenic and always bring a smile to the audience. The angle light hits the Puffin's eye just right and illuminates some of the color which blends well with the blue background. The vertical crop also compliments the bird's posture.

This is very pleasing and interesting Lion portrait. It has an infrared feel to it. The bright eyes immediately draw the viewer in and the mane surrounds the face and acts as a border in the composition. The textures also stand out due to the monochrome version. This would look great in print.

It's refreshing to come across underwater photos. I love the rich color in this image and how it's applied in layers moving from left to right in the frame. This Blenny is such cool subject as well and not something you see every day. The physical structure of the fish is unique and viewer can appreciate how it blends into the environment.

What a different image this is. I'm drawn to it due to the emphasis on shape and scale. The seal is tight and large in the frame and acts as a contrast to the smaller mountain range in the distance. The highlight for me is the connection between the two as the Seal's nose appears to touch the tip of the mountain and creates some cool shapes.

The Macaque Monkey parent shares a priceless expression with the photographer. It's an expression of perhaps interest or intimidation as it surely intends to protect its newborn young. I like the monochrome conversion as it simplifies the shot and brings attention to the story. The varying degrees of luminosity and texture also stand out.

This Seal appears to be winking at the photographer. These shots can be difficult as you need to time the capture as the animal emerges up from the water. The vertical composition makes sense here as it easily includes the rest of the submerged body and allows the face to be near the center axis of the frame.

The story contained in this photo is captivating. The Monkey is missing a limb, but still appears to be resilient and making due, despite its setback. Keeping color in the eyes while turning the rest of the frame to black and white was a good call as it creates a sense of drama.

There is a beautiful sense of atmosphere in this Heron image. The bright bird stands out and contrasts well with the surrounding blacks and greens of the forest. I don't typically see Herons in this type of environment, but it's a solid combination. I suspect there's some fish to be had in that stream.

I rather like the sense of humor that comes across when viewing this image. The Cat's expression appears fierce as it nibbles on some greens. Some of the leaves frame the eye and cut across the face, which actually add to the shot. There's a sense of direction and flow to the composition.

This is solid Butterfly image that puts an emphasis on color. The pink flowers in the background compliment the yellow tones of the subject. The dorsal perspective with outstretched wings flatten the entire scene and allow focus on the entire Butterfly. Lastly, the subtle vignette brings attention to the center of frame.

I appreciate the symmetry in this image as well as the color harmony. The head on perspective of the Dragonfly looks great and the position of its wings is quite pleasing. The surrounding branches add interest and frame up the subject nicely. I'm fascinated at how delicate these insects can appear while being incredible hunters.

This cat image is very artistic and a nice play on shadows and light. The film used in the shot creates a pleasing grain and adds a bit of grit to the overall feel. The subject's fascination with its own shadow tells a story and can be interpreted in a variety of ways by the viewer. A well thought and executed shot.

This is nice capture of some fast action as an Eagle attempts to catch a fish. The bird combined with its reflection have an abstract element to it upon first glance. The water contrail creates a bit of texture and chaos as well as providing a sense of motion for the viewer.