Gator

[jetrim]

Took a trip out to the Everglades yesterday morning and although we got skunked on bird photography, there was no shortage of other interesting subject matter. Wondering which of the following two compositions is working better for everyone:

[Grandpaw]

I vote for the first one. I like the view from the side better than the view from the back, Jeff

[Frog]

I like them both but is it me or are they really oversaturated?

[jetrim]

The first shot might be a little oversharpened. The second is suffering just a bit from front focus. Neither have had saturation adjusted. Shots were taken @ 1:30pm in the middle of a Cypress Hammock, so the green you see is a result of the tree leaves reflecting off the water in the midday sun. Water color is actually a dark amber due to the tannin from the trees.

[A.M.D.A.]

#1 for me also.

Focus is better, plus the gator is in a more flattering angle. I like the shallow DOF.

[dill]

nice shot ,id have used plenty of zoom

[Shebang]

First one.

[LeeIs]

number 1 for sure for me! . love the the mystery of it. it's a lot scarier than the 2nd one. the 2nd one looks like the croc is worried more than the viewer (cause we can see his back side suggesting that he's moving away from me) . the first one strikes fear to me atleast. the fact that only a portion of the head is showing works for me. as far as colours and dof and stuff. i like both. they're well done.

[jetrim]

Thanks everyone, looks like # 1 takes it by unanimous decision

nice shot ,id have used plenty of zoom

This one was just a pup, barely 6' from nose to tail, and for sure he was more worried about me than I was about him. Every time I tried to get the camera close to the waterline, he'd retreat 15'-20'. This was one of only 2 reptiles I saw in 4 hours, usually you have to step over them 'cuz thy're clogging up the trails. Aligators are pretty docile, it's the crocdiles you need to shoot with the longest zoom lens you own - they are agressive.

[GB1]

A lot of negative space, but it seems to add to the feeling of the photo.

Did you walk on him?

G

[caw1975]

I like them both, and I'm jealous because a) I want to go to the Everglades, and b) I can never get a good head shot in the water. I usually get them on the banks. When I see them in the water they sink or splash off before I get a good shot in. I think I've only gotten one shot of a gator actually IN the water close enough that you can tell what it is. I've gotten lots of "is that a log?" shots though.

Nice work.

[alik]

Good Shot And The Color Of The Water Is Perfect. I Would Not Want To Go For A Swim In That Place.

[Dave6223]

Yup, love number 1 too. But couldn't you take a waterproof in and get a few close ups? rofl