New Joiners - Animals #851

It is the use of light that really makes this image stand out. I often encourage developing photographers to think of photography as the art of capturing reflected light rather than simply recording what the eye sees. Here, the gosling is lit from behind, creating beautiful rim lighting that illuminates its soft, downy feathers. By deliberately underexposing the frame, the photographer has ensured this effect becomes the star of the image, while the background falls away into contrasting darkness. The near-perfect pose of the bird—especially the open beak—adds a lovely touch of character to complete the frame.

The composition of this image is strong. The leading lines of the diverging road naturally guide the viewer’s eye toward the bison, the darkest and most dominant element in the frame. I also like the removal of colour, which transforms the background from a potential distraction into a complementary part of the composition. The tones and textures created by the black-and-white conversion are particularly effective, adding simplicity and visual impact. The vertical framing is an excellent choice, perfectly suiting the subject and the scene.

Symmetry is a remarkably powerful compositional tool, as this image so clearly demonstrates. The photographer has made full use of the stag’s direct, forward-facing pose and has framed the shot with care to emphasise that symmetry. The side lighting is particularly effective, bringing out the warm tones of the fur and creating a pleasing interplay of light and shade that adds real three-dimensional depth to the portrait.

Easily a winner for me from this selection. There are so many elements the photographer has executed perfectly to create a dynamic, compelling frame that is instantly striking. The fast shutter speed of 1/4,000 sec has frozen every ounce of movement from the fast-moving zebras, resulting in an image that is razor sharp. This is complemented by a deliberate overexposure, which reduces the distraction of the busy background and keeps all attention firmly on the duelling animals.

The photographer has made good use of the camera’s ISO range to achieve the desired exposure balance; the resulting noise introduces a subtle grittiness that, in my view, enhances the mood of the scene. The black and white conversion is another excellent choice—removing colour emphasises shape, form, and raw energy. And that timing is exceptional: you can feel the tension and force as the two zebras clash.

I like the use of light in this image, with a bright shaft illuminating the bird’s white plumage. Exposing for this element has rendered the surrounding shaded areas very dark, minimising distractions from the busy background and focusing our attention on the bird’s head and eye. Note that the eye is in sharp focus—a critical element in any animal portrait.

It’s always refreshing to see subjects like slugs and snails in these contests – they can be surprisingly tricky to photograph in a pleasing and engaging way. Here, the photographer has wisely chosen to exclude most of the snail’s body and focus instead on the head and those wonderfully expressive antennae. It’s a strong decision that captures the essence of the animal, with the warm skin tones really shining through. You can almost feel the moist, textured surface as it glistens on the screen. The composition is also effective, with the vertical crop proving a fitting choice for this intimate perspective.

This is a good example of a classic perched bird shot, demonstrating a skilled hand. The light is coming slightly from the left of the frame, and the photographer has wisely waited until the bird turned its head into the light, avoiding unwanted shadowing in that crucial area. The overall exposure is well balanced, and I like the inclusion of the reed stems as they hint at the bird’s natural environment without becoming distracting. I’m not entirely sold on the square crop, however — a standard vertical or horizontal ratio would have been a more natural fit for this type of composition.

Photographing birds in flight is perhaps one of the trickier skills in wildlife photography. Working with larger birds like this vulture makes life a little easier—their size helps to fill the frame even at distance, and the autofocus has more surface area to lock onto. I like the framing of this image; the spread wings create a pleasing diagonal that carries the viewer’s eye across the frame. The exposure is also well judged, with a touch of over-exposure ensuring that detail is retained in the bird’s dark plumage. A fast shutter speed has secured a crisp shot, and the choice of f/8 has provided a helpful increase in depth of field.

The key to creating a successful image when photographing animals in dense foliage is ensuring the eyes remain clearly visible. Here, the direct eye contact from both raccoons is uninterrupted, creating an immediate and engaging connection with the viewer. Their placement on either side of the central branch provides a pleasing visual balance, resulting in a strong and well-considered composition.

When faced with a scene like this, many photographers would instinctively move closer to achieve a more frame-filling shot. However, the strength of this image lies precisely in the use of space; it provides the viewer with far more contextual information and creates a compelling narrative. We are placed directly into the environment, seeing not just the chase but the landscape that shapes it. As a viewer, I immediately find myself wondering whether the deer escaped or the wolves claimed their meal. I would be tempted to revisit the edit—warming the tones slightly and adding contrast with a subtle curves adjustment would help bring even more impact to an already engaging photograph.

If you’re familiar with Roe Deer, this image will certainly resonate. I’ve often flushed deer while out walking, and they almost always take flight in those elegant, bounding leaps so characteristic of the species—exactly as shown here. The photographer has captured the perfect airborne moment, the deer lifted high with all four legs clear of the ground, their positions forming a pleasing symmetry. The exposure choice works well too: the slight over-exposure reduces background distractions while retaining plenty of detail in the animal. And the fast shutter speed has frozen the action beautifully, preventing motion blur and keeping the image crisp.

This image is all about the gorgeous, warm, and soft light falling across the jackal’s face. That light—combined with the central placement of the head—draws the viewer’s attention immediately and keeps it there. Because the focal point is so strong, the photographer is able to make effective use of the otherwise busy frame; the dead tree becomes an element to explore rather than a distraction, adding context and visual interest. The exposure is well balanced, making the most of the complementary warm tones shared by the arid environment and the jackal’s fur.

This image works beautifully thanks to the smooth, out-of-focus background, with warm tones providing a striking contrast to the blue of the dragonfly. This ensures that all our attention is drawn to the subject, which is rendered sharp and detailed, allowing us to fully appreciate its intricate features.

The quality of the light really elevates this photograph. The penguin is bathed in direct sunlight, yet there is a softness that preserves detail in both highlights and shadows. The shallow depth of field creates clear separation between subject and background, keeping our focus firmly on the bird’s head. The penguin in the background to the left is a minor distraction; a slight shift of the camera to the left would have resulted in a cleaner composition.

Choosing the right crop is often overlooked by many photographers, but in this example, the letterbox format is ideal. It complements the shape formed by the lemurs’ heads and adds a cinematic feel to the frame. I also appreciate the harmonious tones and the simplicity of the foreground and background, which keep the focus firmly on the subjects. The image does exhibit noticeable digital noise, and some post-processing to reduce it would further enhance the overall quality.