Tree Frog (CC Please)

kamelean · Sep 1, 2012

Found this critter on the front porch. I picked him up and stuck him in the tree, and a shot presented itself. Any CC here? I'm trying to improve my nature shots, and I need feedback.

FroggyEdit by kamelean, on Flickr

cgipson1 · Sep 1, 2012

Flash would have helped immensely.. it would have improved the color range, and clarity, and made it pop! If the frogs face had been more in view, that would have helped also. We humans tend to look for eyes... and make a connection if they are looking back at us.

seakritter · Sep 1, 2012

kamelean said:
Found this critter on the front porch. I picked him up and stuck him in the tree, and a shot presented itself. Any CC here? I'm trying to improve my nature shots, and I need feedback.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kamelean/7909656142/
FroggyEdit by kamelean, on Flickr

Beyond what was said, the DOF is to shallow, you loose focus about half way across his back it would have been nice to at least see the tree just beyond the frog to give the shot a bit more depth. Nice effort though.

PixelRabbit · Sep 1, 2012

I agree with Charlie's comments and will add a couple

I took a quick peek at your photo stream and there is a common theme, everything is centered and centered subjects are for the most part boring with a documentation feel to them, great for a text book but it doesn't make you stay and "enjoy" the image.
I'm sure there are links to great resource on composition perhaps in the stickies in the beginners section but don't quote me on that.

Here are some tips I got early on that helped me shooting critters:

Eye contact is important. Critter butts are cute and all but faces are much better.

If it is facing or moving in a direction give it space to look or move into.

Get down eye level with them, show the world from their point of view, not ours.

Know your critter. The more you know about them the better opportunities for great shots you create for yourself. How it moves, reacts, takes off, lands, habits etc...

Some food for thought

looking forward to seeing what you come up with next

kamelean · Sep 2, 2012

Here's another one of the same frog when he was still on the porch. He was hiding by the porch post, and I almost missed him. This should be more like what you guys are asking for, minus the 1/3 composition. This shot just wouldn't support the crop very well. CC on this one?

CamoFrogEdit by kamelean, on Flickr

seakritter · Sep 2, 2012

I took the liberty of giving it a quick a crop and twink it's not perfect but I think it may help you to get the idea, you have you profile set that it is ok to edit your work, I can't fix the DOF which I think is still too shallow,