New Joiners - Animals #815
Caron Steele

New Joiners - Animals #815

July 2025

What a truly striking image: the warm, orange colour palette works so well, especially with the eyes matching the background. The shallow depth of field ensures that our attention is drawn into the face and the focus is so perfect!

The colour scheme in this image is really brilliant with such great contrast in a sea of purple on the bee. The portrait orientation works well and the shallow depth of field ensures no distracting elements or contrast from the background.

The detail and contrast captured in this image is divine, with each feather quill acting as a leading line to draw you into the neck and head. Whilst this image is gorgeous and colour peacock images are pretty common, the colour is one of the most striking features of this bird so are worth including.

What a brilliant moment to capture! This image works really well as a square crop and you've ensured that you've not overly cropped in on the edges of the birds, giving them the breathing space they need to be a compelling image.

Crowd
winner

Once again you've absolutely nailed the focus and depth of field on this image, ensuring the detail on the woodpecker is spectacularly pin sharp. I'd consider a very slight crop from the right of the image as it doesn't 'add' anything overall.

The colours are vibrant and punchy and yet still natural and not over processed. I like the panoramic aspect ratio which works well given the perspective and angle and the smooth, clean background helps to ensure nothing distracts us away.

I love the variety of colours on this beautiful bird and that subtle reflection in the eyes is aesthetically pleasing. The image works well in a square crop but if the surroundings allow it, I'd recommend moving the bird slightly to the right.

The colour is so vibrant, punching its way out of the image and drawing you in due to that dark background. The square crop works but I'd be curious to see it in an original aspect ratio with the snake looking in from the right.

Expert
winner

What a truly stunning image and in such a strong top 10, it's a worthy winner. The panoramic aspect ratio works perfectly to give us great context and the warm colour palette against the cool, misty hills contrasts beautifully to create a brilliant image.

100 Images entered

Entry 24865577
20th
12

What a gorgeous moment to capture and I love the natural framing created by the greens in the trees. I'd consider a crop from the left to get both bears to look and move into the frame which will enhance the overall feel of the image.

93 Photographers

Brief

See more contest details

Welcome to Photocrowd’s ‘Animals’ contest for New Joiners! These contests are a chance for new members to introduce their photography to the community, and get a taste of how Photocrowd contests work. They can be entered by anyone within their first 28 days of joining Photocrowd. After 100 images have been submitted the contest closes and the Crowd will start rating the images. The Expert Judge will also be judging the images and writing reviews at the same time. All the winners, both Crowd and Expert, will be announced after 3 days of judging. Make sure you also check out our two other New Joiners contests - ‘People’ and ‘Landscapes’.

What a truly awesome capture with beautiful colours and contrast, both on the bird and against the background. The focus is again spot on and the square crop works, especially given the collection of images you have with these charismatic birds.

The details and colour on this image are truly divine and contrast so well against the background. Whilst there is grain and noise in the image, this is to be expected in these environments and arguably enhances the details on the feathers!

Entry 24845991
19th
7

What divine and gorgeous lighting you've captured here. You'd never suspect this was taken in captivity and the contrast against the dark background paired with the warm light is perfect. I love the reflection on the wet nose and the content expression.

7,798 Ratings

Entry 24853409
44th
8

The contrast created with such a dark subject against a relatively light background really helps this image and subject to pop from the screen. I love how the subtle colours on the dark sections of the bird stand out against the black.

Meet the expert judge

Entry 24857946
29th
7
Entry 24859667
57th
3

The contrast and detail are gorgeous and I love how well the eyes pop against the surroundings. The shallow depth of field works really well and whilst the cat is looking out of the frame, the golden background on the right enhances the image enough for it to be worth including.

Entry 24862379
72nd
5
Entry 24863279
82nd
3
Entry 24865293
31st
9
Entry 24867194
11th
16
Entry 24874234
91st
3
Entry 24874484
23rd
69
Entry 24874708
28th
2