Zebra

Hello...
I entered a contest where you have to post wildlife photos in B&W...I was wondering if somebody could tell me which one of these photos do you like best...
thanks for the help

Posted by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 16:02
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Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 16:03

Swan


Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 16:04


Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 16:04


Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 16:04


Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 16:05


Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 16:05


Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 16:05


Comments by Tom Manson on Tue, 09/29/09 16:19

The elephant takes the cake for me. It's the sharpest and best composed. I do, though, also
like the first of the raccoons....nice expression.
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Comments by Sal Santostefano on Tue, 09/29/09 16:30

I'd submit the elephant as well and here’s my reasons why. The zebra is out of focus, the first raccoon shot has a huge white reflection in it's fur, the second raccoon shot is out of focus, branches are in the way of the main subject in the giraffe shot and IMO the effects added to leafs in both monkey photos doesn't work very well (and there's just too much of it). I am not trying to be negative or insulting so please don’t take my comments the wrong way :o)


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Tue, 09/29/09 16:30

I like the first image of the raccoon with a different cropping to rid the picture of some of light spots. The elephant image has a contemplative feel for me and a good textural feel also. The posted image while have been the strongest if it had quite as soft in feel.


Comments by Sal Santostefano on Tue, 09/29/09 16:32

As for the swan photo, it’s eyes are lost in it’s own mask. I’m also not crazy about the tilt in the neck.


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Tue, 09/29/09 16:32

The last sentence should read... the posted image while it might have been the strongest if it had not been quite as soft in feel.


Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 17:00

ok i really like the critiques....
The swan: I have an identical photo with a straight neck...although I think the the elefant when hardened a bit looks very nice...
I did a bit of work on the elefant...Lets see what you guys think.


Comments by Sal Santostefano on Tue, 09/29/09 17:12

I still like the first post of the elephant. IMO, it looks more natural. The second post seems as though it brightening up the light above it's brows too much.

Will the viewer be able to see the eyes of the swan in the other photo you have with the straight neck? If not, I'd stick with the elephant. If so, please post :o)


Comments by Sal Santostefano on Tue, 09/29/09 17:14

I should say "Where it's brows WOULD be" :o)


Comments by Harry Liston on Tue, 09/29/09 17:15

The first raccoon shot does it for me. The teeth and the whiskers work together to make it really eye-catching. The textured elephant trunk is good too, but is a little hackneyed to be considered a great shot.


Comments by Sebastian Mayo on Tue, 09/29/09 17:27

I also really liked the whiskers on the racoon...
The majority are going towards the elefant, racoon and swan...
So I guess I have to focus on these...

Here is the swan picture...without a tilted neck and you can see it's eyes...it's really hard though because there really black, like the fur around them...lets see what you guys think.


Comments by Sal Santostefano on Wed, 09/30/09 08:50

I'm sticking to my first suggestion, the original elephant post. The swan's bill in the repost above is out of focus. I know you are using thirds here but there just seems to be too much water in this shot and not enough swan (seems more like fifths). As you know / may not know, I am new to photography. Please take that into consideration. Good luck with the contest! Please post a follow up with the results :o)


Comments by Jeff Dye on Wed, 09/30/09 12:43

I don't know which contest you're entering but if it's well publicized the entries could be in
the thousands. Judges, out of necessity, have to be harsh in the elimination of all but a
few, however, thoughtful judging needs to start with the submitting photographer so I
have to ask you a question. Why would you even think of entering these photographs
when all but one (elephant) are badly out of focus? The yawning raccoon isn't bad but the
lighting kills its. Birds with long necks look bad decapitated. At least show the area when
the neck smoothly joins the body. The monkey photo, even if sharp, has too many leaves
and not enough monkey plus it's right in the middle of the frame. Enter the second
elephant and see what happens. Gain some experience but you need to be your own
harshest judge.
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