Summer in Australia.

[xerubus]

Good evening, afternoon, morning, or whatever time it is where you are...

This is a shot that I have taken for a competition titled 'summer in australia'. What do you think? I've had to resize and reduce the quality considerably to meet comp rules... but i think it still looks okay.

Please critique... would be interested in hearing what other people have to say.



Cheers

[bago100]

Hi Xerubus

I wonder if that's the snake that fell out of a tree between my wife and dog out near the letterbox a couple of years ago?

Or the snake I found in my daughters bedroom 10 years ago?

I like the shot. Personally, I think that you need to get an eye or eyes in the photo and try to get a little bit of catchlight in the eye as well.
Eyes tend to improve nature shots really well.

Did you shoot this in the wild on in an aquarium type environment?

Cheers

Graham

[xerubus]

shot taken behind glass... thankfully...

really looking forward to getting a descent flash.. could have really made something out of this shot the correct lighting...

i think the focus on the eye is fine... just need to get more light on the evil little bugger....

[Onyx]

Cross posting across forums huh Xerubus?

Personally I can't figure the connection between summer in Australia and that picture. When I look at it, the first thing that pops into my mind is certainly not summer.

The image itself - you're using depth of field to draw attention to the main portion of the subject. Unfortunately the eyes are barely visible within the dark scales on the head, so the viewer's eyes are drawn to this darkened blob. No eyes, no emotional connection (whether good or bad emotion) between the viewer and subject. Those rocks on either side seem to command more attention.

Feel free to hate me now...

[xerubus]

never hate anyone for having the guts to critique i appreciate it greatly....

thanks for the comments... i really think a good flash would help here...

[Dargan]

Xerebus

What about photoshop processing using a light source to brighten up the area around the eyes and bring out more detail. This might give the attention in that area you require. I like the scales on snakes and this photo catches the unique nature of slitherins well.

[dooda]

What I like about his photo is how the snake body runs up and out of the top corner of the photo. Good composition.

I too wonder about the connection between the snake and summer.

[xerubus]

Dargan.... yes... there is a lot that can be done with some pp... just need it to rain for a week so that i can get stuck into pp the bin full of shots i have ...

dooda.... thanks.... hmmmm..... i had another shot i was going to enter, which was my kids eating icecream on the beach down the road, but didn't enter it as i thought it was too cliche.... oh well.. next time maybe

[bago100]

Actually Xerubus, I can see the snakes eyes at work

Obviously the monitor attached to my home computer is not properly calibrated because I could not see the snakes eyes.

Dooda mentioned the good composition. Excellent point Dooda.

Also I couldn't see any reflection off the glass aquarium. Well done here also - unless you put your camera inside the aquarium!

Cheers

Graham

[xerubus]

thanks bago... no way i was in that glass i have a very strong fear of these creatures... and the further away i am the better....

[MHD]

I like the picture but as a "summer in Aus" picture it does not work for me...

Evil looking bugger!

[Onyx]

Yea, I can't see any reflections off the glass. You did well! It's as if you were risking your camera for that close shot.

[MATT]

If id doesn't represent SUmmer In Aus for you, come and live at my place in summer.

1st year I moved into my new house 11 browns that we err.. err.. relocated.

Has slowly declined but we had a mouse plauge just before winter and they are everywhere again.

Nice shot but I agree if the eyes stood out it would be great shot.

My 2cents

MATT