Taken Straight Out Of The Camera.

When I first saw this picture in the selection process for the “Straight out of the Camera” Competition, I knew that it would feature high in my ratings. Then every time I looked harder at the image, the cheeky nature of the squirrel pushed it higher in my ranking. The light looks so balanced from below and the bokeh effect of the light and leaves behind is exquisite. I had to look at many different aspects whilst judging in my part of this competition. So many had even admitted that some editing had been done at some point that I had to reject them out of the top ten. But the ones I choose I feel are true to the belief of “Straight out of the Camera”.

It was the expression on the face of this lovely owl that made me give him a slot in the top 10 of the “Straight out of the Camera” competition. Everything looks so natural, relaxed, calm. I love the way that the owl seems to be peering over the pine branches and cones at its target of pray and I can expect the peace to be disturbed at any second.

This was in the shortlist for the “Straight out of the Camera” Judges top 10. When I first saw it I thought it was so well done, I couldn’t believe it was produced without any photo editing software. I liked it so much and I wanted it in the top ten that I went to try and replicate it to check it can be done “Straight out of the camera” (It can) The mirror image of the mirror image is spot on. (Mine wasn’t) I like the way the lighting is done and as you kept true to the “straight out of the camera” comp rules and it has inspired me to do similar.

What a cracking shot! And you state that it is beginners luck in the description. Well if this is how you start, I can’t wait to see your work in the future. This was in the short list to be in my Judges top 10 of the “Straight out of the Camera” Competition. My jaw dropped at the skill. Then my heart sank when I spotted in your description that the shot had been cropped. (That means it has been in photo editing so not straight out of the camera.) Don’t be disheartened as I had to be brutal in my choices and I praise your honesty. It is a stunning shot in any other type of these competitions would have been up there.