Animals - First Post

[chrisrobbins]

Here are some recent animal pics. Please critique at will.

[Gohan]

The glances of animals are interesting, but the problem is that they are staring not at you. Just imagine how great it would be if the tigers were so threatfully looking at you. But now - just a simple photo. And you were probably shooting at zoo? For me photos taken at zoos will never equal the ones taken in wild nature. I think we should leave the subject of tigers and gorrilas for Discovery reporters

[Chunk]

I like the intense looks of the lions in the second shot. Did you unsharp mask that shot after resizing it for posting? Most shots need that to bring them back close to original sharpness. I also like the closup of the orangatan but wish that the grass didn't intrude on the face. The color is great in that shot.

There is no reason in the world not to take this kind of fine picture in the zoos and wildlife parks. Good work and post some more.

[JK_Photo]

I agree with Chunk on the unsharp mask comments. Should always be the final thing you do before the final save. Go easy though. I usually convert to lab mode - lightness channel for unsharp mask. Reduces the halo effect. Then reconvert to RGB(or sRGB).

The lion shot doesn't do much for me but the orangutan has serious potential.

If the grass weren't there I would crop tight so you just have that amazing face. Pump the contrast a bit and you'd have a winner. If you want to do a bit of work I bet you could clone that grass out.

The background of the lion shot is too bright and distracts me from the main subject, though I do like the intense looks on their faces.
Try a reshoot on an overcast day to limit the shadows.