New Joiners - Animals #739

Lions always make great subjects for facial close-ups as they ooze character and charisma, as we see in this example. Using a black and white approach helps to concentrate attention on this shape and form and works so well. The focal point, exposure, general composition, and post-processing all show a practiced hand and have collectively produced a pleasing image. The chin is uncomfortably close to the edge of the frame, but a strong image nonetheless.

Photographing wildlife underwater adds another dimension of difficulty to the process and I always admire images like this. There are loads of positives - the focus is on the turtle's eye as it needs to be, the exposure is nice having captured detail in both shadows and highlights, the post-processing is sympathetic to the image, and I particularly like the balance the reflection brings to the upper part of the frame. The subject is clipping the bottom and right side of the frame - a bit of a shame, but still an image to be proud of.

This style of Hummingbird photography is something that I have seen many times, but this is a very good technical example. What I like is the attention the photographer has paid to the composition, especially the choice of background which has a nice colour pallet, is beautifully out of focus to create a buttery smooth feel, and compliments the flower while contrasting with the bird so it takes centre stage. The pose of the bird is perfect, those wings extended to the rear revealing all of the head and body. The focus is spot on and the shutter speed enough to keep everything sharp.

Pet portraits are common in these contests, and it takes something more than a simple snap to stand out from the crowd. Here the photographer has clearly thought about the composition, using the wooden structure of what is possibly a gate to create a frame for this puppy. The direct eye contact is key - the viewer needs to feel a connection with the subject - especially one with a face as cute as this! The exposure and focus are both perfect, and I like the way the background is clean and simple. The square crop works well, but the top edge of the frame is a little awkward with that thin sliver of rail not well balanced - a tighter or looser crop would improve things.

I think Moose photograph best when in the water or mud it helps to balance their appearance as their legs are suprisingly long! Here we see a perfect example of them in their natural habitat. I love the connection between what I assume is adult and offspring. The young moose is our main character, the viewer being treated to a full view of the animal. Most would be tempted to include the entire adult moose in the image too, but the exclusion of the rear half is a clever idea - you see the protection and presence of the adult, but the youngster remains the star. The water droplets dripping from the youngster's mouth are a nice touch that adds some interest to a rather tranquil scene. There is something about the crop that does look a little unbalanced - perhaps there is a little too much space in the top portion and a squarer crop would work better?

I applaud the bold compositional approach here which has produced a pet portrait that is a little different from the norm. Although this is clearly a heavy crop, it has been used to great effect. I really love the composition which concentrates on that amazing side view of the cat's eye - the little catchlight brings life to the whole image. The nose balances the eye well, although I think the crop on the right is a little too tight for comfort. The choice of a dark background ensures that there are no elements in the image to distract from the detail we see in the cat's face. A bold image that is worthy of a highly commended tag.

I love damselflies as photographic subjects. They are so beautiful, colourful and delicate. Those outsized eyes often act as a centrepiece and draw the viewer into the image. In this case, the photographer has chosen a slightly wider view to include all of the body and wings as the insect clings to its perch. The star of the photograph for me is that gorgeous warm-toned background, the perfect accompaniment to the cooler blue of the subject. Exposure would have been a challenge here and many would have under-exposed the subject, fooled by the camera metering for the brightness of the background. I would have cropped in tighter in a vertical format as the space to the top and right is rather redundant in my view.

Great photography is not just about technical excellence. For me, it is more about originality, and I like images that show me subjects in a way I haven't seen before - this Green Heron is a great example of that and is one of the reasons it is a winner. That direct eye contact with the viewer is key as it creates an immediate connection and is the focal point of the image. And just look at the erect head feathers that give it such a gawky look, as if it has been surprised to find itself staring down the barrel of the photographer's lens! Technically, keeping a subject in focus as it flies towards you is probably one of the more difficult things to achieve, although modern cameras such as the Nikon Z8 used here do help massively. Kudos to the photographer for choosing settings that enabled this image to be captured successfully. Some may argue that the cropping of the wings detracts from the technical qualities of the photograph, but the square crop is a clever choice to help take the attention away from this issue. For me, it is all about that direct stare and the comical quality - top stuff!

This image is all about the connection between these two animals, the photographer having done a great job of hitting the shutter at the perfect moment. The overall tight composition is pleasing with a nice central balance which is ideal for the subjects. The glance of the right hand chimp at the camera creates a nice connection with the viewer. I also like the way the hand is framed below the chins of the chimps. The photographer has worked with rather harsh light, but has done a good job of exposing correctly and making post processing adjustments to soften its impact. The dark area of the background in the top right corner would perhaps benefit from lightening slightly in post to lessen its impact, but a really accomplished image.

Skimmers are such unusual birds - that lower mandible looks so extraordinary protruding as it does beyond its upper partner. This enables the bird to feed in a unique way, skimming the surface of the water, its beak open and lower half cutting through the water looking for unsuspecting fish near the surface. This behaviour creates fantastic opportunities for photographers to capture dynamic images such as this. I like the attention the photographer has paid to the composition, something the chosen crop has helped to cement. The wings pointing into opposing top corners provides a nice symmetry, the repeating reflection helping to underline this perfectly. The soft, golden light gives the image warmth and compliments the tones of the plumage and bill. The settings have been chosen wisely to capture the action and keep the image sharp, and the focal point is on the bird's head and beak - perfect placement. The water trail and airborne droplets add to the drama. I would have liked to have seen this taken from a lower perspective, with the camera closer to the surface of the water, but a great shot well executed nonetheless.

This image is all about the skill of capturing the action. Timing a shot like this and getting the subject in focus has been made easier with modern equipment, but there is still a lot of skill required to nail it as has been achieved here. I like the fact that the photographer has really thought about the shutter speed and chosen correctly - it is amazing just how fast it needs to be in a situation like this to get everything sharp. Far better to compromise on aperture and ISO in favour of faster speeds. This is a great example of the camera being able to capture a moment that is very difficult to see and appreciate in real time as it happens so fast. I'm not sure I'd want to be the fish here - its day looks as if it about to take a turn for the worse! The image is a little over-exposed - under-exposing by a stop or so will help to keep detail in the highlights in these situations - it also helps with keeping the shutter speed higher and the ISO lower.

Using light in a creative way can produce images with a different feel, as we see here. The photographer has chosen to work with backlight in this photograph - a perfect choice to emphasis the hairs on this caterpillar, especially against the dark background. Understanding exposure is key to making the most of this technique, and the photographer clearly understands how to balance this to create the feel they want. Shooting into the light may not produce literal images full of detail, but it is replaced with drama and creativity when you know what you are doing. I think the balance of the photograph is good, the dark background a perfect choice, the lighter foreground adds interest, and the detail of the caterpillar is compelling.

This photograph is all about the expresssion on this Gorilla's face. The human-like features make it easy for the viewer to read the rather sad-looking expression which triggers so many questions about his mood and what he is thinking. I think he looks rather melacholic, those eyes rather wistful staring into the distance. The flat lighting has allowed the photographer to capture so much detail here, and you can really appreciate the power of this animal from the build of his frame. The out of focus background helps to keep all the concentration on the animal and the amazing detail we can see.

I really enjoy images that give subjects a bit more space and show some environment. They can frequently be more interesting for the viewer than the close portraits we photographers so often crave. Here, the photographer has chosen to do just that - the perfect choice in the scenario (in my view at least) cleverly using the tones of the grassland habitat to compliment the warbler's plumage. The image works well as the subject is free from vegetation cutting between it and the lens - not a common occurrance for a bird that likes to keep itself hidden for a lot of the time. I also enjoy the regular patterns created by the grass stems - all too often these will cut across each other and create a confusing and chaotic frame that detracts rather than enhances. The depth of field is excellent - just enough to give the viewer a good sense of habitat, but shallow enough to keep the concentration on the subject. Personally, I would not have placed the bird centrally in the frame, but positioned it towards the right hand third for better overall balance.

This image is a really good example of how to create a compelling portrait. Firstly, and most importantly, there is direct eye contact from the subject to the viewer. I mention this often in my reviews, but it really is an important component as it creates an immediate connection. Secondly, there is good separation from the background which has been achieved through slight underexposure, ensuring that the shaded background does not render any distracting elements. Then there is the overall balance of the composition and the choice of vertical crop. I love the extended paw in the bottom right, this really helps to fill what would otherwise be blank space in this area of the frame. The post-processing is skilled and has brought out plenty of detail in the fur and the animal's features for the viewer to enjoy.