The soft approach (+revised)

[Kris_Smith (Kristen M Smith)]

Revised Version

Revision 3 (latest)

What changed: Changed aspect ratio as per Bill’s suggestion. Not sure it conveys the same pattern disruption, but it is a closer look at this little cutie.

Revision 2

What changed: Another turtle in another patch of algae, just as an alternative.

Revision 1

What changed: cropped slightly, preserving my original aspect ratio, radial gradient to bump exposure on the eye.

Added after receiving feedback from the community.

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Original Version

Weekly Challenge

The Interrupted Pattern

9/6/26 - 9/12/26

Critique Style: Standard

The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.

Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive

About This Image

Spent a few hours in a favorite backwater of a nearby river yesterday. There are always lots of turtles, but I don’t remember visiting this late in the season and I found lots of what I think are algae blooms all over. These patches made excellent camouflage for them and if I sat still for long enough, tiny heads would pop up all over. I actually saw, but alas couldn’t get the boat right to photograph, one barely out of hatchling stage sitting entirely on top of the algae. Like an angel on a cloud. So adorable my head almost exploded.

But as I watched these little guys appear and disappear, I thought of this week’s theme and that it would fit even though the algae itself isn’t a tight pattern.

Feedback Requested

I have one or two with a wider field, but the face is so small that I thought it would be too insignificant. Thoughts? Should I crop more or go with another view?

Technical Details

Camera: Panasonic DC-G9M2
Lens: LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3
Focal length: 318mm
Shutter speed: 1/1250s
Aperture: f/5.8
ISO: 800

Tripod/handheld: handheld in the kayak
Focus method: SAF - one point w/animal detection
Filters: polarizer
Technique:
Conditions: bright

Processing software: Lightroom
Major adjustments: slight crop and rotation, wb tweak, masking to improve clarity & texture in the sharp areas, reduce exposure surrounding, lens correction, sharpening and denoise.
Blending/stacking:
Other notes: some distraction removal (specular highlights)

[Mark_Seaver]

Kris, this fits this weeks theme very well as presented. I do wish the turtle’s head was a bit further left in the frame and that I could see the eye slightly better.

[Bill_Fach]

Kris: Since I’m terminally jealous of your kayak adventures I have to comment on this one. I see what @Mark_Seaver notes so I took a shot at cropping a bit tighter to 4:3 and bringing up some detail in the head. Not sure it’s better but back to you for your consideration. >=))>

[Diane_Miller]

So cool! And the “BG” has the perfect colors.

And the hatchling you describe – wow!! Your description of an angel on a cloud paints the picture you couldn’t capture. Is there an EP for The Ones We Missed?

I saw a huge turtle in a small pond in a city park last week, hauled up to sun on some sort of just-submerged frame and mostly hidden behind the ugliest water plant I have ever seen. I thought it was a clever sculpture until it moved just a bit. I need to check later in hopes the plant has wilted or gone dormant for the winter. It might be a favorite resting spot.

[Jim_Zablotny]

I like Bill’s edits which strengthens the comp immensely! I like how the outline of the head gradually curves as it approaches the algal mat. An interesting comp and certainly well worth the effort getting the camera close to the surface…Jim

[system]

The original poster added a revised version of their image.

[system]

The original poster added a revised version of their image.

[Kris_Smith (Kristen M Smith)]

Thanks @Mark_Seaver , @Bill_Fach , @Diane_Miller & @Jim_Zablotny - for all your enthusiasm and ideas.I wish there was an EP for those that got away, but alas. Turtles are so great and I can’t help photographing them at almost every opportunity. I’ve put a few new images in the OP.

[system]

The original poster added a revised version of their image.

[Dennis_Plank]

All of these are excellent. Though it doesn’t fit the theme as well, I like the one where you can see part of the body. Version 3 definitely fits the bill for the challenge and the composition is excellent.

[Kris_Smith (Kristen M Smith)]

Thanks @Dennis_Plank - I like the one that shows a little more, too, but it doesn’t work as well as the other. So version 3 is it? OK.

[Steve_Buffington]

Regarding Revision 3:

I like the version 3 as well. I suggest cloning out the highlights on the little guy’s nose. I personally would like even a bit tighter. I don’t think you’d lose any of the mood and concept of the shot. I see few turtle shots that are interesting, but this one is. Nice job.

[Dennis_Plank]

Yup. Version 3.

[Lon_Overacker]

Regarding Revision 3:

Great and fun capture Kris - although I don’t know if I would want to find myself paddling through that muck!

I like all the versions as they all showcase the turtle’s head against the sea of algae. I do think the last revision nails it the best.

This is yet another great example of letting the “empty space” help tell the story. A zoomed in look at just the head would be a detail portrait, but that extra algae real estate is what tells the story.

Great job with this one Kris!

[timothy3 (Timothy Sutherland)]

Great series of photos! I like them all but really like revision 3 the best. It is very interesting to see the progression of images and the comments and thoughts from the community. Very enlightening.

[Kris_Smith (Kristen M Smith)]

Thanks @Steve_Buffington , @Dennis_Plank , @Lon_Overacker & @timothy3 - so number 3 it is! I’m happy to have arrived at something a little better than the original. As for the shine on its face, I’m ok with it since they are pretty shiny all the time, but especially when wet.

And rest easy, I didn’t have to paddle through it since there were only intermittent patches of the stuff thankfully.

[timothy3 (Timothy Sutherland)]

I was picturing you slogging slowly through the algae to get the perfect shot

[Kris_Smith (Kristen M Smith)]

I did some of that, but mostly on the edges. Sometimes these little guys are brave, but not often.