Three is always a comfortable number that leads to some nicely balanced compositions in photography. Here we see a family group of elephants, and I love the way these animals are all aligned with the largest at the back and smallest in the foreground. The position of these animals relative to each other is near-perfect, the position of the heads and trunks leading to a beautifully balanced frame.
This image demonstrates the compositional strength of three subjects. The direct eye contact of the central monkey immediately draws the viewer in and serves as the focal point. Depth of field has been well managed, keeping all three subjects sharp while rendering the busy background soft enough to avoid distraction.
Deliberate exclusion has been used very effectively here. By cropping tightly and showing only part of the cat’s face, the photographer has created a strong and engaging portrait. The eye is the clear anchor point of the image, pin-sharp and immediately commanding attention, allowing the viewer’s brain to fill in the missing detail. The dark background helps eliminate distractions and brings out the texture of the fur, ensuring the focus remains exactly where it should be.
I like the harmony between the warm tones of the animal and the softly rendered background. The combination of focal length, aperture choice and good separation between subject and background has produced a pleasingly shallow depth of field, giving the image a gentle, uncluttered feel. The nose is the sharpest point in the frame and works well as the focal anchor, drawing us into the image. While the eyes are more often the obvious choice, focusing on the nose here feels intentional and suits the intimate nature of the portrait.
The photograph works beautifully because of the soft, warm light illuminating the lion’s face, highlighting its character and textures. The exposure and depth of field are well judged, delivering plenty of detail where it matters. Compositionally, the negative space to the left feels slightly at odds with the lion’s gaze to the right; a tighter crop or repositioning could better lead the viewer’s eye along with the animal’s line of sight.
This is a beautifully executed portrait of a well-known subject. Composition, exposure, focal point, and depth of field are all technically strong, complemented by skillful post-processing. I particularly like the deliberate underexposure, which has darkened the background to remove distractions and make the bird’s white head plumage stand out. The eye is pin-sharp and immediately draws our attention, remaining the central focus of the image.
A simple but effective portrait of a Blue Tit. Exposure, point of focus, and depth of field have all been handled well, resulting in a clean and pleasing image. The bird is pin-sharp where it matters, with the eye acting as the natural anchor. The softly blurred background is uncluttered and neutral, providing an ideal canvas that keeps all of our attention firmly on the subject.
I enjoy images that make thoughtful use of reflections, and this is a strong example. The contrast between the colours of the building and those of the bird immediately establishes the subject as the focal point within what could otherwise be a visually busy scene. The reflection is clean and well-defined, reinforcing the composition without overwhelming it. The ripples spreading out from the bird’s feet introduce a subtle sense of movement and energy, preventing the image from feeling static and adding an extra layer of visual interest.
This image is driven by the quality and placement of the light on the cheetah’s face. The brightest area falls across the eye and snout, immediately establishing a clear focal point. The transition between light and shade is soft and well controlled, avoiding harsh contrast and helping to retain detail. The shallow depth of field reduces the impact of the busy background and keeps attention on the subject. I might have explored a little more underexposure to introduce additional drama, but this is a well-judged and effective use of light.
The strength of this image lies in the crop and the symmetry it creates. The spread of the tail is perfectly timed and beautifully balanced within the frame. Sharpness is excellent where it matters most, while the subtle blur in the wings works well — frozen momentarily by the flash, with ambient light adding a hint of motion. The softly rendered background provides an ideal canvas, its gentle bokeh keeping all attention on the bird. A refined and refreshing take on a subject that is often photographed in a far more conventional way.
Brief
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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’.
100 Images entered
98 Photographers
5,583 Ratings
Meet the expert judge
This image succeeds because of its tight framing and clear intent. By moving in close, the photographer has emphasised the lioness’s expression and made the irritation caused by the flies almost tangible. The half-open mouth and exposed teeth convey frustration and discomfort, adding a strong narrative element. Detail in the fur is well rendered and the focus sits where it needs to. The decision to leave negative space on the left helps balance the frame and prevents the composition from feeling cramped. A strong, character-driven portrait.
I like the layers created by the division of water, land, and sky, and the balance they bring to this photograph. That central line between water and land creates a calm, tranquil feel to the composition, which suits the scene perfectly as the wildebeest moves at a gentle pace. The positioning of the animal within the frame is well judged, and the out-of-focus animal in the background helps to balance the negative space on the right. The slight overexposure works well here, reinforcing the soft, airy mood of the image.
This is a tight portrait that immediately draws attention to the gecko’s eye, making it the clear focal point of the image. I also appreciate the warm, rich tones of the skin, which are nicely complemented by the framing elements along the bottom and right edges. The dark background enhances the colours and adds a subtle, moody atmosphere, keeping the viewer’s focus squarely on the subject.
