New Joiners - Animals #737
Caron Steele

New Joiners - Animals #737

June 2024

Entry 20782420
5th
209
Expert
winner
Entry 20811867
2nd
19

This image has so much drama and impact that it's hard to look away. The light is divine and golden, the action is palpable and the image itself is technically spot on. The composition works well and there's nothing I would really change.

100 Images entered

I love the angle and perspective on this image and the inclusion of two sea lions works much better than if there was just an individual animal. The colour is so rich and vibrant without being over processed and the exposure and focus is spot on.

I really like how you've composed this image and whilst it arguable breaks a couple of compositional 'rules' it works exceptionally well. The varying shapes on the wings of each bird adds to the overall flare and it works well in colour, although could also work in black and white.

Entry 20793211
63rd
9

I love the blue hour colour palette you've captured in this image and the water contrasts so well against the subjects fur and face. The centralised composition works well and the subtle warm hues in the sky compliment the image well.

Entry 20794084
14th
7
Entry 20794154
36th
5
Entry 20794643
19th
29
Entry 20794709
27th
6
Entry 20795048
11th
9

The warm colour palette is fantastic and whilst it would've arguably been an even better image if both zebras heads were fully visible, I actually like it how it is with both tails flicking up and some level of symmetry.

Entry 20796310
54th
11

Whilst this is a natural behaviour with the bird trying to thermoregulate, I love how it could be perceived as a spunky attitude. The shallow depth of field and lovely, smooth background really isolates the bird and if you wanted to try something a little different, this could work in black and white too.

The shallow depth of field really draws you into the subject here and I love the range of colours in the background: whilst they're still perceivable and add to the image, they don't distract away which can always be a risk.

Entry 20796561
31st
8
Entry 20797687
46th
3
Entry 20797694
47th
5

There's often the temptation in wildlife photography to always try and fill the frame, but this can be a self limiting approach and you lose any context of the surroundings which can enhance the image. I love everything about this and the aspect ratio works so well too.

Crowd
winner

I love how you've used the surrounding foliage to naturally frame this intimidating leopard and the fact that the eye colour matches the surroundings enhances the image even further. The composition and exposure is spot on and it's an image you can really 'feel'.

Entry 20802195
64th
7

The atmosphere in this image is truly fabulous and I love the cool colour palette. The behaviour you've captured makes the image so much more than if it was simply a swan sitting on the water and the direction it looks in draws you into the image and keeps you engaged.

Entry 20804246
4th
7

I really like the behaviour you've captured here and the composition works well, despite the subjects face almost being centralised it wouldn't have felt 'right' had it been set more to the left due to the rocks peeping in from the side.

Entry 20807613
23rd
7

The golden hour light in this image is truly divine and really enhances the image: it simply wouldn't have the same impact were it taken in the middle of the day, whilst it would still be a fabulous image with great expression in the face and eyes.

Entry 20812284
7th
9

You've managed to capture a majestic animal in his surroundings in a way that really engages the viewer. The composition is spot on with the subject looking into the frame, therefore drawing you in and the surrounding mountains are so striking and well exposed.

Entry 20817359
8th
5

95 Photographers

Entry 20804847
12th
9

The soft bokeh on the background is truly fabulous and really enhances the sharpness and detail on the face and bill. I love the subtle colour from the bill against an otherwise quite desaturated scene, paired with the warmth from the feathers.

Meet the expert judge

Brief

See more contest details

Welcome to Photocrowd’s ‘Animals’ contest for New Joiners! These contests are a chance for new members to introduce their photography to the community, and get a taste of how Photocrowd contests work. They can be entered by anyone within their first 28 days of joining Photocrowd. After 100 images have been submitted the contest closes and the Crowd will start rating the images. The Expert Judge will also be judging the images and writing reviews at the same time. All the winners, both Crowd and Expert, will be announced after 3 days of judging. Make sure you also check out our two other New Joiners contests - ‘People’ and ‘Landscapes’.

8,595 Ratings

Donkeys are such charismatic animals and I think you've captured that well here. I like the fact that, whilst the depth of field is quite shallow, you can still get a feel of the surrounding habitat, whilst keeping nice detail on the head and face.

Entry 20812526
18th
5
Entry 20813310
38th
2