New Joiners - Animals #744

There is a great sense of dram and mystery in this flamingo image thanks to the low key exposure. The rippled water and reflections are important to the composition, so the vertical perspective is a wise choice. Further, the textures and contrast in the wing feathers stand out as well.

The jagged fence line running diagonally through this image is a strong compositional technique as it supports the dragonfly and also helps guide the viewer throughout the entire frame. The shallow depth of field is sufficient as the out of focus elements are still evident. There's also a small vignette which is pleasing.

This image is one of the more artistic in the overall selection and that's a great thing. There's a sense of minimalism as the caterpillar is small in the frame., but in a pleasing way. The colors and textures changes in your eyes moves from one side of the frame to the other.

It's amazing to see how such a large animal can blend into a surrounding environment without much effort. While the Moose is prominent in the frame, it takes a second to put everything together and figure out what's going on and that's part of the fun. The birch trees add nice texture as well.

I absolutely love the color and how it defines the silhouette of the Butterfly in this image. The rich tones in the background move smoothly through the subject's wings and help give definition to its shape. Placing the butterfly in the lower right corner of the frame creates a solid composition as well. Great work!

The photographer's use of light and shadow here add drama in support of a strong story. You can clearly get a sense of place with the urban surroundings. Importantly, all of the cats are in focus and the composition places all emphasis on them. The engagement factor is also high here.

Great Horned Owls are very difficult to find, let alone photograph during the day. The autumn leaves in the background add a nice pop of color, but it's the Owl's eyes that take center stage. Upon closer examination, it's interesting to see how the bird blends in with the perch and surrounding tree branches.

Animal habitat is an important feature and something worth capturing to help tell a story. The sunflower dominates most of the frame, but it's actually a supporting act for the Bee in flight. The flower pedals double as leading lines toward the subject and colors are almost a perfect match.

Sometimes a black and white conversion can transform an image in such a positive way. The monochrome effect here brings emphasis to the backlit mane on the Lion as well as the light and shadows amongst the brush in the background. The posture is also interesting as you get a sense of just how gentles this animal is moving.

Sometimes shadows can be the highlight of an image and this is a good example of that. The dragonfly's shadow on the leaf steals the show and turns a snapshot into an interesting shot. The jagged edging on the vegetation adds a bit of grit and provides an organic feel.

Bee Eaters are gorgeous birds and it's nice to see a smooth background that compliments their beauty without any distraction for the viewer. The interaction between the birds stands out and the red eyes are just captivating. I rather like how the entire frame is on a diagonal axis, which adds interest

I appreciate macro photography a lot and it's good to see it executed well, especially with such small and charismatic animals as the jumping spider. The focus falls perfectly in the Spider's eyes and face while allowing the rest of the boy and surroundings melt away. A great engagement factor here.

This is such a pleasing image of a Spider, a subject not always beloved and often not photographed. The dark and low key feel compliment the subject as does the supporting web. The depth of field used is just right as the Spider is in focus and the details are incredible.

This puppy image is extremely cute and the studio approach works well due to the choices made. Beyond the pup's amazing expression, the old trunk and brown tones that permeate through the image blend so well together and complement the subject perfectly. The pink tongue also stands out amongst the other drab tones.

The dualistic perspectives in this image are amazing and it requires a closer look to appreciate. The dog and its owner are lit differently and looking in opposite directions away from the center of the frame. That said, you can still feel their close connection and want to know more of what's happening here.