New Joiners - Animals #767

Many mammals have an undeniable appeal, especially when they remind us of the cuddly toys of our childhood. This image is one of those shots - there is instant connection through that direct eye contact which arrests our attention. The framing of this image is pleasing, I like the strong anchor the trunk of the tree provides for the left of the frame. The vegetation in the right half of the photo, although a little distracting, does help to fill this space, balancing the trunk on the left and completing a frame for this animal to appear within. It's the rim lighting on this raccoon's fur that really lifts this image. Note how it creates clear separation from the background and how much detail it highlights - even the whiskers stand out. The pose is very endearing, the paw grasping the bark and the glance around the tree can't fail to please. The green leaves just below the animal are a little distracting and I would tone these down a little in post production. I would also have warmed up the bark of the tree a touch.

This is a nicely balanced and well composed portrait of this beautiful animal. Technically, there is much to admire with this image. The overall balance of exposure, point of focus, depth of field, and post-production all point to someone who knows their way around a camera. Note the low angle of view which has helped the photographer create separation from the background and a more initmate connection with the animal. Note also the nice diagonal that is formed by the fox across the frame from the tail in the bottom left to the animal's left ear pointing into the top right. I would be tempted to remove some of the distracting twigs and grasses, and to introduce a little more contrast.

A classic leopard in a tree image that has been beautifully crafted. I like the sweep of the branch to the right of the frame as it arches around the animal, anchoring that side of the image. The horizonal branch in the right third is nicely balanced with its sister to the left. The gaps are filled pleasingly with leaves, all of which provide the ideal frame within which this animal sits. The direct eye contact with the viewer creates an immediate connection and ensures our focus is directed where it needs to go. The central position of the leopard in the frame is also a good choice in this instance, creating a feeling of calm. I also enjoy the little spot of light on the cat's head.

You can almost feel the saltwater spray on your face and hear the rush of water as this whale erupts from the water. There is so much drama captured here, an amazing moment in time and a perfect reminder for the photographer of their experience. Technically, the image shows skill in the shutter settings which have allowed the whale and the water spray to be sharply frozen - it would have been such a shame if this animal were blurred. I also like the choice of composition - placing the whale off-centre adds to the drama and gives it a little space to twist into on its return to the depths. Some of the whites are over-exposed, a product of the harsh light. These may be able to be pulled back a little by reprocessing the raw image.

I like the framing of this shot - the way the curved log or rock within which this lizard is sitting sweeps around the animal and seems to gently cradle it as it sleeps is rather endearing. The shape of the animal and the position of the eye in the frame is well judged, and I rather enjoy the toes as they peep into the shot. For a phone image, this is a good job.

This photograph has borrowed a street photographer's technique of using strongly contrasting light and shade to create a compelling portrait. I like the approach here, that diagonal shaft of light has generated some really cool shapes and patterns, the dog sitting perfectly in its spotlight. While the dog is clearly the main attraction, there are so many other things for us to enjoy. The bold colour of the wall is magnetic, those strong shadows creating amazing shapes with their uniform pattern, dissected by the vertical line of the retaining chain and its accompanying shadow. In the end, this image makes me rather sad - the dog appears as if it's in a prison cell. Photographs that generate strong emotional responses are the successful ones.

This close encounter with a clouded leopard must have been an amazing experience, and one celebrated by this beautifully detailed portrait. I like the composition, the placement of the cat's head affords it space to look into the the right and upper portion of the frame. The point of focus is right on the money, the depth of field isolating the animal from the background whilst still retaining a sense of place. The exposure is also well-judged. The image lacks a little contrast and I would revisit the edit to get more from it.

A nice portrait of a colourful bird that displays some good technical skills. Most importantly, the photographer has ensured that the point of focus is directly on the bird's eyes - this is critical with images like this as it connects the subject with the viewer. The depth of field is good, retaining enough detail in the bird whilst rendering the background out of focus and removing any distracting elements. Post-production shows a subtle touch - so many would be tempted to over-use the saturation slider. I would brighten the area around the breast a little to reveal some more feather detail.

This has the makings of a very successful image - all the ingredients are there. I really enjoy images of animals that include plenty of space and show them in the context of their environment. There are so many elements to juggle that make them more tricky than tight portraits. This image shows great compositional skill. I love the strong anchor of the lighter-toned plateau the bison is standing on. It allows all the attention to be immediately drawn to its darker shape. Note the pleasing area of shade below the animal. The plateau also forms a neat divide from the plains below, like an elevated stage. The horizontal lines of the terrain cross the frame pleasingly and really give us a feel for the environment. The post production needs some work as the image is a little flat. Levels and contrast adjustments would lift the photo and really amplify the textures, tones and layers captured. I would also crop this as a 16:9 ratio and remove the strip of sky at the top - this adds nothing. The letterbox crop would give the image a cinematic feel that I think would compliment it perfectly.

This is another image that has all the elements of a really successful shot. I love the way the foliage and the dappled light have been used to frame this tiger as it makes its way through the forest. The use of light here highlights the tiger's stripey camouflage perfectly. The angle of the head is glorious, that rather wistful look shows no hint of aggression but portrays a powerful elegance and grace. Exposure values and depth of field are so good and show a skilled hand. What spoils this image is the bright stem to the left of centre which travels from top to bottom. It is a distraction that you can't ignore and I would have removed this in post-production, together with the thicker stem in the bottom left of the frame. A slightly tighter crop may also be of benefit.

This is another of those images that many will overlook on first inspection, but the strong composition provided by the central vertical division and portrait orientation caught my eye immediately. The striking contrast provided by each side of the image provides such a strong compositional base from which to work. The horizontal detailing of the building provides the perfect sub-division of the frame, and ensures the birds are the focus of our attention. Three is always a pleasing combination compositionally, as this photo demonstrates. The two birds on the left are beautifully mirrored, facing in opposing directions. I would have loved the bird on the right to have also been side on and facing right, but nature is rarely perfect!

One of the bird photographer's classic shots is a puffin with sandeels in its bill, and this is a suberb example. What really appeals to me about this is the almost monotone foreground and background elements, no doubt deliberately amplified in skilled post production. This compliments the black and white plumage of the bird and emphasises the bright colours of the feet and bill without the over-use of the saturation slider. The exposure balance is perfect here - see how the details have been retained in both the blacks and whites, which is tricky to do in the harsh light of the summer months. The overall composition is also very strong, the bird well placed in the frame and looking into the space on the left. Note how the rocks in the bottom left are balancing the puffin. Good job.

The vast majority would have instinctively placed the face of this lioness in the centre of the frame - this would lessen the impact of this dramatic portrait. Symmetry is often used to portray a feeling of calm and tranquility - everything seemingly in balance. Framing the face to the right has disrupted the symmetry and emphasised the drama of this scene - a perfect choice. The lighting here is pleasing, not too harsh, but bright enough to create areas of light and shade and give the image a dynamic three-dimensional quality. The point of focus choice and depth of field are well-judged, treating the viewer to so much detail, while ensuring the background has no elements to distract. Great job.

This is one of those photographs that is unlikely to appeal to the majority in the same way as many of the other images in this selection, but the way this is constructed is genius - a true masterclass in compostion. I love the overall film noir feel to it which provides the perfect tone for the viewer. The black and white conversion adds so much through the process of subtraction. The composition is very strong - see how the angle of the cat is mirrored by the metal railings which are in perfect alignment and form a line that instictively leads your eye to the focus of the cat's attention. The black crow stands out so well against the light wall that you can't fail to miss it. The low angle really makes this shot, the detail in those paving stones fills the foreground space with detail that compliments the rest of the scene. The left of the frame has even been expertly anchored using the corner of a dark building. This is a real winner for me.