Such great timing here, with the wing position giving the frame energy and shape. The perch adds texture without competing for attention. Color is strong, though it pushes close to feeling slightly overdone in places. The detail and moment carry it through. A lively, well-captured image with a strong compositional placement.
Here is an interesting contrast between the natural subject and the built environment, which adds context and depth. The leading lines and reflections help guide the frame, and the Heron is placed well but looking to the side. There’s a lot going on, though, and that's not a bad thing. It's nice to see a mix of natural and urban.
The setting does a lot here, with the branching structure framing the subject naturally and very effectively. The Lion is well placed and easy to find despite all of the complexity. There’s a nice balance between environment and subject. Some brighter tones compete slightly, but overall it holds together well. A strong environmental portrait with good depth.
This image succeeds through contrast with raw, intimate behavior set against a stark, almost industrial backdrop. The Baboon’s posture creates a quiet, self-contained moment that holds attention. Space is used well, giving the subject room without losing focus. The darker foreground edge and background elements disrupt the flow slightly. The subtle pop of pink adds an unexpected visual counterpoint.
This is one of the most compelling compositions of the contest. It's an interesting perspective, with the low angle and branching structure creating a strong sense of place. The subject is slightly secondary to the scene, but that feels intentional. The colors are appealing, though they push a bit in places. It’s more about the composition than the subject.
A bold, high-impact moment with the Tiger's open mouth creating immediate energy and presence. The detail throughout the face and teeth is strong, and the framing keeps everything tight and focused. It’s a familiar type of shot, but executed well. The background remains unobtrusive, allowing the subject to dominate the frame without distraction.
There’s a quiet intimacy here that works well, with the branches partially obscuring the subject without losing connection to the Moose's eye and gaze. It feels natural and unforced. The tones are soft and consistent, which suits the mood. A few brighter elements pull slightly, but not enough to distract. This is a thoughtful, well-observed portrait with natural framing.
A clean and well executed portrait, with good separation and natural, balanced color. The pose is strong, and the subject stands out clearly within the frame. It feels a bit familiar, though, without a unique moment or setting to elevate it further. Still, a solid and well assembled image with a strong presence overall.
Here is a strong emotional moment, with the connection between the two subjects carrying the image. The framing works well, and the background helps separate without feeling artificial or forced. The expression on the adult adds to the engagement factor. It borders on familiar, but the moment itself is handled well.
A clean, simple frame with the blue background doing most of the work to isolate the interaction. The spacing between the birds adds a bit of tension, and the chasing bird helps suggest a story without taking over. The lead Kite anchors the composition well. There’s probably a little too much empty space, which leaves it feeling slightly unbalanced.
A strong subject with good presence, and the black and white treatment suits the texture and form well. The expression carries the image and holds attention. The background elements are a bit busy and take some focus away from the subject. The highlights give attention to the silver back, which explains its nickname.
This is a really strong graphic image, with the tones and textures doing most of the work. The position along the edge creates natural tension, and the eye holds your attention immediately. The monochrome conversion keeps everything focused and controlled. The dark negative space feels intentional and balanced. Simple, deliberate, and very effective overall. Great work!
100 Images entered
91 Photographers
Meet the expert judge
This is a clean, classic portrait that relies on shape and color contrast to hold attention. The detail is strong, and the separation from the background is effective and controlled. It’s simple, but that simplicity works in its favor. It doesn’t push much beyond that and it's fine.. A well executed low key shot.
6,607 Ratings
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’.
A strong, direct portrait with the Lion's gaze holding attention immediately. The framing feels tight and intentional, and the darker tones around the subject help isolate the face and mane effectively. There’s a nice sense of presence here. It leans toward a more familiar composition, but the control of light and expression keeps it engaging throughout the frame.
