New Joiners - Animals #779

I have seen so many staged studio shots of this species that it is refreshing to see something taken out in the field. While one may argue that this doesn’t have the same immediate impact of the studio shot, this is more honest and I love it for that. The overall composition is solid - I like the twig cutting diagonally across the frame from one corner to the opposing corner. The placement of the two mice is also comfortable to look at. The shallow depth of field has helped to separate the background elements, but there are some elements that do distract. This is a shame, as a slight change in the photographer’s position could have improved this no end.

I really like the clever use of light and shade, plus the black and white conversion with this portrait, both of which have created real mood. The photographer has used the contrast between the highlights and shadows created by the sunlight through the blind so skillfully. The trick here is under exposure, which they have judged well - you need just the right blend of shadow and detail to make it work. The black and white conversion has focused all the attention on shape and form. The overall composition has concentrated our attention on the light falling on the dog’s face and, critically, the eyes are in a portion of strong light so we see them clearly. A clever image that has been well executed.

Using high contrast in your images can create some really interesting work. Here the photographer has used the contrast between the pelican’s light plumage and the darker tones of the water to good effect. By slightly under exposing the scene, the water has taken on an almost black appearance, the plumage light enough to retain detail and appear correctly exposed. The fast shutter speed has captured all those lovely water droplets in midair and they are well contrasted with that dark background drawing our attention toward them. A lower angle would have created more drama and connection with the viewer.

In my opinion, barn owls have to be up there as one of the most photogenic of all birds and are popular subjects with photographers as a result. I love this hovering pose captured here, it reminds me of the numerous encounters I have with this species every year as they hunt over the meadows and open spaces close to my home. Birds which have a high proportion of white plumage are always tricky to expose for in bright light, and this image demonstrates that well as there are areas that are over-exposed. This often happens with auto-metering camera modes which try to expose the mid-tones correctly, as they have done here for the head and wings of this bird. But this often results in the some of the whites being too bright. Some negative exposure compensation can help with this. That being said, the shutter speed choice is good as everything is sharp, and the focus is exactly where it needs to be. I’m not normally a fan of square crops, but there are some distracting branches creeping into the right of the frame and the choice of crop reduces their impact in this instance.

This image is a masterclass in composition and is so skillfully constructed. Look how the warm tones occupy the bottom third of the frame and provide a strong anchor for the photograph. The contrasting cooler tones are the perfect backdrop for the subject which carries the warm-toned theme of the foreground, and stands out clearly as a result. The triangular shape of the mountain creates strong diagonals dividing the frame with precise symmetry, the subject ideally balanced in the centre of the bottom third. The exposure, focal point, depth of field and post-processing all show a well-practiced hand. Bravo.

As I have mentioned in other reviews in my selection from this contest, subjects in the context of a wider scene are generally more difficult to pull off than closer portraits. Here we have a good example of a bear which is small in the frame, allowing the photographer to include some environment and context for the subject. I think this combination works well in this example. There is no denying that the bear is the main focus and draws immediate attention, but the wider scene, and its position within it, is well composed and considered. This gives the viewer a good insight into this animal’s native environment. I rather like the textures and tones captured in the rocks, and the bear presented against the bland sky makes it stand out well. The out of focus foliage in the foreground doesn’t add to the frame, but the image still works.

I see hundreds of pet portrait images in these contests, but this has to be up there as one of my all-time favourites to date! I could talk about the perfect exposure, the fact that the focal point is dead on the cat’s eyes, or that deliciously shallow depth of field that allows all the attention to fall where it should, but it is the character of the cat that stands out above all else. That face appearing through the pile of leaves is genius, those ice-cool eyes standing out in complete contrast to the rustic tones of the autumn leaves. I also really like the choice of central composition here which works so well. Photography can be exceptionally strong when it captures character - this image is testament to that.

Symmetry is one of photography’s super powers when used correctly. I really like the symmetry of this image which has been accentuated by that large depth of field keeping both animals features relatively sharp. The focal point is on the foreground animal, and this is the right choice. I would crop in a little tighter to exclude the ear that cuts across the top of the frame. The image could also do with a bit more contrast to really make it pop.

Okay, I admit that I’m a sucker for a high key image but I make no apologies for it. High key can be such an impactful approach as this photograph demonstrates so well. I think it works best with light-coloured and white subjects, that over-exposure blending part of the subject into the background. It is a useful approach if you wish to concentrate more attention on the subject and lose some background distractions. It also works well when you are presented with strong shapes and forms and you are confident in your compositional skills. Here, the technique has allowed our photographer to focus entirely on the form of the snoozing cat, the close crop well judged so a pleasing composition has been achieved. The black and white conversion adds to the strength of the composition by removing the distraction of colour. Beautifully done.

When I look for winners and images to award in these contests, I like something that stands out and is a little individual. This image has those qualities in abundance and was an easy choice of winner for me this time around. This is a photograph that uses depth of field and contrast so beautifully to isolate the subject and focus all the attention where it needs to go. There is no doubting that the monkey is the star of the show here, but those rusting railings with their gorgeous vertical uniformity and bold warm tones are the perfect frame. I also really enjoy the contrast between the man made and the natural, the human element rusting and degrading, the natural still fresh and full of life. My only niggle is the crop cutting the tail short and there being too much space at the top of the frame. A vertical crop would have worked really well with this image.

I see hundreds of images of the African ‘big five’ in competitions, and lions are a particular favourite. There is no denying that they are particularly photogenic. Some of the most successful shots are those that feature these animals smaller in the frame and include a little more space and a sense of environment. Balancing the composition to include all these elements is generally far more challenging than the close up portrait style photographs - there is simply more to balance as this image demonstrates. I rather like the fact that these cubs are facing away from the photographer, their focus being on the wide open plains of their homeland. There is a deep sense of connection that comes across due to the physical contact between the two. The composition is nicely balanced with the main characters situated on the horizontal intersection of thirds, although I would have been tempted to position them slightly further to the right of the frame, away from the centre of the image. The depth of field is well judged, shallow enough to maintain the attention on the animals, but with enough detail retained in the background to give them a sense of place.

I love the natural feeling of this image and the way the vole has been framed between those two logs which act as firm anchors. They also help to create a dark pocket in the centre of the frame to which your eye is drawn and the vole emerges from. I also really enjoy the rustic tones of the leaf litter which add to the sense of place. The depth of field is generous and this provides plenty of detail for the viewer to enjoy, while the overall composition retains our attention on the main character. The dead grass stem on the left of the frame is a little distracting, and I would be tempted to remove this in post.

This is a good example of a close portrait which shows good technique and skill. Photographing small animals normally involves macro lenses and limited depth of field, so it is critical that the focus falls on the animal’s eyes - this creates a connection for the viewer. This photograph demonstrates this beautifully, the eyes are sharp with the rest of the animal falling off naturally to keep all our attention where it needs to be. The shallow depth of field has also rendered the background out of focus and removed any unwanted distractions.

At first I wondered what I was looking at with this rather busy and confused scene. Intrigued, I looked closer and found a rather delightful composition. What I appreciate most is the symmetry which has been created by the reflection of the croc in the surface of the water. The resulting v-shape points at the fish which occupies the left side of the frame, producing a rather pleasing and balanced composition. It is one of the photographs that I am glad I took some time over to fully appreciate.

Contrast can be such a useful tool in the photographer’s tool kit, it creates separation and has the ability to focus attention in certain areas. The contrast in this image is created by the warm tones of the stag’s fur against the cooler tones of the highland background. In this example, this separation by contrast is important as the depth of field has rendered both the subject and background in focus. A slight shame about the dark area of trees cutting into the right side of the frame, as these rather dominate and draw the eye. I would brighten the animal a little too to really make it stand out from the rest of the scene.