Animal Photography Photo Critique
Life is just a box of seeds
by Terri Chambers
Views: 1239
Category: Animal Photography
Nikon D7000
Lens: Super-Telephoto: > 2
Exposure time: 1/500 ,
F-stop: F5.6
ISO: 800
Flash: None
Tripod: No
Description: I love animals and try to convey their personality. This was taken with a Tamron 70-3 see all >
I love animals and try to convey their personality. This was taken with a Tamron 70-300 tele-macro lens. I converted to B&W thinking it fit this photo better, does it work?
Photo Critique Summary
Subject of photo
9
Composition & Perspective
10
Focus
8
Use of camera, exposure & speed
9
Color & Lighting
7
Depth of field
8
General impression
8
Overall Rating
8.4
GuruShots Pro
Subject of photo:
9
You've captured the subject nicely.
Composition & Perspective:
10
Good job. The seed box and the dark, out-of-focus background combine to frame the subject nicely. The curvature of the tail on the right nicely balances the seed box on the left.
Focus:
8
Hard to accurately judge focus with these small images we are given. Overall, focus looks good with the hairs in the tail being perhaps a bit soft. Also, the seeds are a bit out of focus which I suspect is more a depth-of-field problem.
Use of camera, exposure & speed:
9
Overall good. Not sure what your distance from the subject was, but the exposure and speed seems pretty close for a hand-held shot. Depth-of-field is a bit off as noted below. Could have benefited from the use of a tripod.
Color & Lighting:
7
Lighting is good overall, but a bit flat. The squirrel's head is a bit dark and the body could use more contrast to bring out the salt and pepper look of the coat
Depth of field:
8
This is where you really could have benefited from the use of a tripod (they are indispensable for wildlife photography). I would like to see the entire seedbox, seeds and squirrel be in focus, but the depth of field is a bit to narrow.
General impression:
8
Hi Teri...You made a good choice by going with a monochrome presentation for this image. Overall, it's a nice composition, with the curve of the tail and the bokeh of the background combining to make this a very pleasing shot. With a couple of small tweeks it will be a great shot. Good job!
How to improve your photo
1.
Use an editing program to punch up this image by selectively burning in the forehead and the nose area a bit and adding some contrast to the body. It will make the animal stand out more. You could also get more "artsy" by sepia toning and perhaps adding a texture screen to give it a warmer, more nostalgic feel.
2.
Use a tripod and set your depth-of-field before you take the shot. Animal photography is a lot like street photography...There is what's called the "supreme moment" when the shot must be taken. It requires that you set focus, DOF, and exposure prior to when the animal "smiles" for you.
3.
Practice anticipating the "supreme moment" of the shot. It's the most important part of photographing wildlife and people.
Get feedback on your photos from Pro Patrick McMahan