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
When in FL. You have to photograph an alligator. This one was at the junction of two walking trails. This is also the same park I photographed the Pelican and the Sandhill Crane.
Thank you for stopping by.
Peter
Feedback Requested
any
Technical Details
Z8, Nikon 180-600mm & 1.4ext, f8, 280mm, +.3EV, 1/1600, ISO 3200, cropped and processed in DXO PhotoLab 9.
Peter, love the photo. I really like the colors and how the alligator is partially hidden. My only thought might be a little more room on the right for the alligator to move into.
Hello Peter. Nice image. I am in no way a wildlife photographer so my opinion is just based on personal preference. I think I would crop off a lot more of the not very interesting landscape. It would also have been nice to have a catchlight in the gator’s eye. It makes it look much more alive and not just a stuffed animal. I’m not saying your image looks like a stuffed animal, just that it’s gives more of an emotional connection with the animal. Just my amateur’s thoughts.
I really like this shot. The alligator is nicely placed among the grasses, and the setting gives the image a strong sense of its natural environment.
I agree with @Michael_Lowe about cropping. I think taking a little off the bottom would tighten the composition and put a bit more emphasis on the gator. I might also take a small amount off the left side. I’d still leave plenty of room around the alligator, but trimming back some of those taller weeds sticking up on that side could reduce a few distractions.
I might also experiment with reducing the texture or clarity in some of the grasses just a little. I wouldn’t want to smooth them out too much, since they’re an important part of the environment, but a subtle reduction could help the subject stand out more.
It also looks like there may be some water behind the gator. I’d be tempted to bring that out slightly. A little more separation between the grasses and the water could help show the habitat and add some depth without pulling attention away from the alligator.
