The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
The golden poison dart frog is one of the most toxic amphibians found on planet earth. The bright orange coloration warns predators that they are not good to eat. I photographed this little frog at a local pet shop and used a big flash diffuser to tame down most of the highlights and soften shadows. I also set my flash with manual settings to avoid TTL preflash that can frighten and cause the frogs to jump away.
Specific Feedback
How do you like the comp? These frogs live in shaded areas of the rain forest and canopy and decided to use the flash to darken the surroundings. How do you like the lighting?
Technical Details
Z9 105mm f2.8 Micro + Diffused flash Manual at 1/4 power (1/200 sec at f16, ISO 200) DeNoise, Levels, bumped up shadow brightness and lowered strength of highlights, burned in bright spots in BG, slight crop for comp.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Vision and Purpose:
Conceptual:
Emotional Impact and Mood:
Composition:
Balance and Visual Weight:
Depth and Dimension:
Color:
Lighting:
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Technical:
Jim: This is so well done. The comp is great with the frog seeming to be leaning into the shot. I also like that your flash didn’t render the BG pure black. A fine effort rewarded with a terrific final result. >=))>
How cool, and beautifully photographed! It does have a menacing look and the BG has just the right amount of mystery. The orange color has wonderful detail.
I’m surprised something this poisonous would be in a pet store. NFS, I hope!
Well, Jim, I have never seen a poisonous frog in a pet store (or anywhere else in the world) nor have I ever seen a frog looking cranky!
I love the orange colour and that priceless look. Composition looks good to me. Background and “perch” is nice. The frog looks like he’s going to spring into action at any second.
I never thought of taking my camera to a pet store. I too am surprised that they had a poisonous frog in there. You handled everything perfectly, and one would have never known that it was in a pet store and not in the wild.
Thank you @Bill_Fach , @Dennis_Plank , @Shirley_Freeman , @Diane_Miller , and @Glenys_Passier for your comments and critiques. On occasion, I will take my camera into a pet shop to get some macro shots when the weather outside is far from optimal for shooting. I always ask for permission and they are very helpful to me. These frogs are fed small wingless Drsophila flies and springtails. In the wild, these frogs specialize on formicine ants for their main component to their diet. Ants synthesize organic acids for protection from predators and dart frogs use these to fabricate the deadly toxins found in their skin secretions. Without ants, dart frogs in captivity are not very toxic and pose little danger to the people that keep them as pets.
