New Joiners - Animals #790

I appreciate bird images that are loose and create a sense of space and environment, which help tell the story of that species. It's clever to have the primary Gull flanked by others on both sides of the frame. I also like that the center Gull is positioned above and does not intersect with the mountains in the background.

This is more than just a Zebra image, it's an artistic composition with a good deal of thought put into it by the photographer. The curves and lines created by the placement of both subjects immediately stand out to the viewer. Further, there's a strong sense of symmetry based on the positioning of each animal. Fantastic eye!

This is a dramatic and action packed image of a Crocodile doing its thing. The low artificial light creates some interesting red tones and the exposure settings were spot on to freeze such a quick moment. The Crocodile's open gape is nicely placed in the shadowy pocket between the two boulders in the background.

You have to look closely at this Dalmatian Pelican image to figure out exactly what's going on and that's a good thing. The shadows inside the curves created by the sidelight add definition and emphasize the folded wings. The angled light also hits the face and eye in a dramatic fashion.

These Irish Sheep have an interesting look to them. Incorporating repetition is a neat trick and that's on display here as you have an out of focus sheep complimenting the primary subject on the left side of the frame. The grass clippings in the mouth of the primary sheep is a nice subtle detail.

When I first came across this shot, I thought it was a painting. The bold colors contrast with the black and white cow in a positive way. Stepping back this image has a graphic art type feel. The sandals and street debris are nice details upon some close inspection by the viewer.

Mute Swans are usually good subjects and you can see why in this image. They allow for a close approach with a wider angle. The water dripping off of its bill is a nice detail and the Mallards in the background surround and frame the Swan in just the right way.

The golden light hitting this Red Fox is just outstanding. The light emphasizes the Fox's warm tones which contrast with the cool, blue tones that surround it throughout the frame. The subject's look back into the frame is a nice touch and it seems as if it's posing for the photographer.

Freezing just the right moment is usually a combination of planning and luck. I like how the water droplet is captured as it leaves the bottle and the Dog's tongue is extended outward in anticipation. The backlight illuminates the whiskers and makes them an important element in the overall frame.

The soft pastel tones compliment this Great Egret as it moves through some calm waters. The vertical crop is the right call as it allows for the full incorporation of this tall bird's reflection in the water. I don't mind the head being placed in the upper left corner as it helps emphasize some strong diagonal lines.

Intentional camera movement combined with a slow shutter speed and a fast moving subject can make for some interesting images. I love the motion blue not just on the Dog, but also the lines created by the beach sand. The subject is positioned perfectly in the frame as it allows for the incorporation of its shadow to the left.

The usage of natural leading lines is a compositional technique that helps lead the viewer to the subject or what's most important in an image. In this case, the leaf lines emerge at the bottom of the frame and take you straight to the frog. The green tones in the leaf and frog also go together nicely.

The golden backlight of the setting sun creates some subtle silhouettes of camels and their riders here. The highlight for me is the separation of each subject and the diagonal line. Also, each rider has a unique pose and sense of character as you move your eyes from one side to the other.