New Joiners - Animals #800

The shallow depth of field of this photograph works well to showcase this lizard's portrait. See how the eyes and head are in focus, the rest of the image melting away the focal point is left behind. This enables the photographer to direct our attention exactly where it needs to go - on the animal's eyes. This creates that vital immediate connection. I like the overall composition - the eyes well-placed off-centre with the body curving off into the background. The toes on the animal's right leg are a little too close to the edge of the frame - likewise, we just lose the tail to the right edge.

Although the composition is rather busy, it does highlight the environment within which this animal is found providing a narrative for the viewer. The main point of focus, although a little soft, has fallen on the squirrel's eyes, so important with this style of shot. the editing could do with a levels adjustment to introduce some more contrast, plus I would have cropped in a little tighter and removed some of the dead space at the top of the frame.

The difference in exposure levels between the ray and the background has ensured that the background has been rendered black and removed any distractions, concentrating all our attention on the subject. The focus falls on the mouthparts, the two nostrils mimicking eyes to give the impression of a smiling face. I also like the position of the two wings which help to frame the main features.

This image will certainly win the cute factor vote. The photograph is all about that connection between these two mice, their noses almost touching in a greeting. I really enjoy the narrative of this image, the dog’s bowl placing these two characters in a domestic environment that we can all relate to as they steal the remains of this dog’s dinner. One animal inside, and one outside the bowl adds a really nice balance to the composition – the central placement of the two converging heads a good choice, balanced by the bowl occupying the left side, and the tail of the right mouse filling the right side of the frame. The panoramic crop adds a cinematic feel to the photograph.

This is a great moment to have captured. I like the complimentary tones of the reeds and the fox's fur, and the diagonal reed line across the frame. This is mirrored by the posture of the animal as it looks into the bottom right corner, its rear pointing to top left. The image appears a little soft and I would have liked to have seen more sharpness around the eyes. A lower angle may have provided a more intimate portrait too.

Capturing birds in flight is always tricky, especially with small birds, but the photographer has captured the moment this warbler left its woodland perch. I like the symmetry of the outstretched wings and the sense of environment we get fromthe background and surrounding elements. The shutter speed choice was well judged - it's amazing just how much is needed to ensure a sharp shot in these circumstances. The vertical composition doesn't really work for me, I would be tempted to crop in a little tighter and go for a horizontal format. I would also brighten the image a little.

I assume that the photographer has selectively darkened the background of this image in post-production to effectively create this cutout crab photograph. I think the approach has been well thought out as it draws attention to the detail and colours of this crab without the distracting background elements that the harsh light may have emphasised. The overall composition is simple, but I like the slight angle across the diagonal. The depth of field is generous, treating the viewer to lots of detail in the animal's body.

This photograph is all about that pose which creates an interesting narrative for the viewer. We are left to ponder what this lemur is thinking and doing - to me, it rather looks like he is in meditation. There is a comedic element to its pose that just invites a caption competition. The overall composition is solid - the central position of the animal is a good choice as it gives a nice balance to the photograph. The light is a little harsh, but the photographer has balanced the exposure adeptly to avoid over-exposed highlights or under-exposed shadow areas.

The focal length of the lens combined with the wide-open aperture has resulted in a delightfully shallow depth of field in this image which has focused all our attention on this cub's eyes. The light is beautifully soft with no distractingly harsh highlights or shadow areas. I also like the warm tones in the background that compliment the tones in the animal's fur. The overall compositional balance is well judged - the photographer has chosen to leave good space for the twigs on the right of the frame rather than having them distractingly cut across the edges. The angle of view is also low, so important for a successful image that connects with the viewer.

I rather like the out-of-focus gull as it photobombs this lighthouse portrait. The bird fills a space and balances the image rather nicely. Our main attention is still the intended subject of the lighthouse, but the bird adds an animation and sense of place that works rather well. The level of focal blur softens its impact on the frame but still tells us immediately what we are looking at. Not the intended shot perhaps, but a nice little bonus image.

I rather enjoy the wide view of this image and the strong horizontal lines created by the water, birds, tree-line and sky. the central placement of the birds and trees divides the frame into useful thirds which balance the composition. The solitary flying bird in the upper third is a nice touch. The strong composition makes up for the rather harsh lighting, but I think the photographer gets away with this by good judgement on exposure. A shame about the rather obvious dust spot on the skyline - watch out for these small details that can detract from an othewise strong image.

This is a rather simple portrait image that has been well-executed. The exposure, focus, depth of field, and overall composition all show a skilled hand. Critically, the main point of focus is on the animal's eye - this is so important in this style of image. What really makes it for me is the bright and colourful background, which is sufficiently out-of-focus to provide the perfect backdrop to the drab colours of the animal's fur.

Easily a winner for me from the selection as there are so many things that the photographer has got right. Firstly, the exposure is spot on. The camera’s meter would have led most to underexpose this photograph, but the photographer has compensated for this which has resulted in the snow providing the perfect white isolating background for this portrait. Secondly, there is direct eye contact which creates immediate connection with the viewer – critically, the point of focus is on the eyes. The wide aperture, focal length of the lens, and close proximity of the subject has created a delightfully shallow depth of field that ensures our attention never leaves those eyes. I like the head angle too which creates a slight diagonal across the frame, and those flakes of snow on the fur are just the icing on the cake. Nicely done.

A simple but effective portrait of a perched Chickadee that tells the viewer a bit about the habitat in which this bird is found. The bird is sharp enough for us to enjoy plenty of detail and manages to stand out from the rather chaotic woodland background. I'm not a fan of the dead central composition, I would be tempted to crop in tighter and place it to the left of centre. A levels adjustment to increase the contrast would also benefit the photograph.

This is a very skilled image which demonstrates the photographer’s understanding of light, composition and narrative – all elements that go to make this a very successful image. Take note of how the photographer has used the light falling on the cat to draw immediate attention to the subject, the background elements being under-exposed and add drama to the scene. The exposure is deliberately under done to create this effect. The conversion to black and white has removed the distraction of colour and further gone to emphasise this separation. I really like the composition, the bench being used to frame the animal, the wooden slats forming gentle diagonals across the frame that ensure our eyes travel in a logical way through the image. The writing on the bench adds a level of mystery, and the yawn an animation to the photograph. Excellent work.