White Alligator

Image Critiques Wildlife Critiques
1

SR V2 P1216696.jpg
SR V2 P1216696.jpg1100Ɨ824 1.08 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

This is not an albino but a variant of the American Alligator, according to the ranger at the reserve.
I have so many images of gators I wanted something different. The claws were huge.

Specific Feedback

Does the close-up work?

Technical Details

image

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1 Like
2

This is fascinating Steve. I love the scales, the color is really interesting, and those claws look really formidable. Cool image.

3

Steve: this is an excellent example of less is more. The choice of what to include was spot on as it conveys alligator very well. I didnā€™t realize that there was a color variant. Well done!

4

Hello Steve, I love this image! So my first and last comments are the same: this is fantastic, and I wish I had made it myself. In between those two comments, my critique is very limited and probably of little value, but I have three thoughts: (1) technically, Iā€™m wondering if closing down your aperture a bit more might have brought the claws into a little sharper focus? I donā€™t know the answer to that because I donā€™t shoot with your equipment, and I rarely open up my own aperture beyond f/10 or f/11. (2) In terms of processing, did you experiment with possibly bringing the tips of the claws into the light a bit more? I love the hint of them, as well as their kind of brassy-brown color, so Iā€™m wondering how (or whether) seeing more of those ā€˜nailsā€™ might affect the photoā€™s impact. And (3) this low-key image has just a few hints of something in the dark ā€“ water perhaps, or mud, reflections, leaves? So again Iā€™m wondering, did you intentionally leave those hints in the dark? Did you experiment with bringing them out or eliminating them completely? Big big caveat re all three questions: not a one of them detracts from this image in any way whatsoever. Iā€™m just trying to offer constructive comments, but this image is so engaging and beautiful that you donā€™t need to change a thing about it at all. None of these questions suggest any flaws or detractions from your vision. In fact, making any changes Iā€™ve wondered about might actually be counter-productive ā€“ but since I didnā€™t do the processing, I donā€™t know the answers. I agree with Richard Sandor that youā€™ve handily shown us how ā€œlessā€ is so much more. If this was my image (donā€™t I wish), Iā€™d definitely have it printed large and framed. Itā€™s a stunning wowzer!

5

Steve, Itā€™s a really good close-up study of the reptiles scales. The lighting allows for the texture to be almost felt by the viewer. I agree with the other comments. Less is more