Which of these is the best shot and why?

[Icarus]

Had a chance to take some awesome photos of this little guy earlier today on a hike!

I took a few photos but I really just don't know which one is better than the other and why. Any help would extremely appreciated!

These haven't been cropped or edited in any way. I figured once I know which one is the best shot I can make some changes. Also, any advice on various techniques I could have used to improve the shot would be great!

Thanks so much in advance.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

Thanks again

 

[Derrel]

I think #3 is the most pleasing overall composition.

 

[frommrstomommy]

3 or 5

 

[dannylightning]

honestly beauty is in the eye of the beholder so what ever you like best is the best option for you,

i would say i like number one best but the object is a bit too centered which is not quite as interesting ( rule of thirds )

i would say i really like number 3, the subject is in a good spot, you can see some descent detail in the subject.

 

[Pejacre]

I'd go with 3 - I prefer the subject exposure and overall composition on that one - subject looking left, space for subject to look into on the left, however in the edit I'd crop in still tighter

 

[dennybeall]

I'd take #3 and crop it down to almost identical to #6 then take the right side off almost to the rock and take off some of the top.

 

[limr]

#3, for reasons already listed.

 

[pthrift]

I agree with the general consensus that #3 has the most potential in my opinion

 

[CameraClicker]

I think #3 if you want the environment, otherwise, #6. You need some fill light to open up the shadows. The subject is the creature, larger in the frame is better, you can crop to improve the composition, either right side rule of thirds or centred portrait. Detail is key. Difficult with creatures but you need to get closer, have a longer lens, or both.

 

[Michel88]

For me personally: #6 is the best, with #3 as a second. I like wildlife photography, and #6 shows the wildlife the best for me.

 

[cynicaster]

Yep, for me, it's #3 hands down. To my eye, the lighting of the lizard looks the best in that one.

Leaving some "space" around the subject can definitely be helpful because it gives you freedom to fine tune the composition by cropping, but next time don't be afraid to spend a few more of the original pixels on the subject's face.

 

[Tabe]

I'm gonna say 5 or 6. I like 5 because the very closest foreground is ever-so-slightly blurred, with the lizard tightly focused and the background blurred. Nice shot. #6 is great for the detail on the lizard but needs to be cropped. Once doing so, I think #6 is your best shot. The lizard is too small in all the other photos to present well if printed (unless you do something like a 24x36 print), so the increased zoom on #6 helps a lot.

 

[mcap1972]

I like #3. As per rules of composition you need some "looking into" space.

 

[Andreas Timm Photography]

#3 ! Reasons have been mentioned already.

If you could put the horizon up or down a bit it would be even better!!

 

[Olympus E300]

I vote #3. Why?

1. It uses the rule of thirds.
2. It has the most eye pleasing composition in my opinion
3. It offers nice background bokeh which enhances the focus on your subject well.

#2 also uses the rule of thirds, however, your subject is framed on the left while looking left. This makes my eyes wonder off the left side of the image, therefore wasting 2/3 of the right side of the image. Basically, the right side of the image in #2 simply becomes a vast blank spot in my opinion.

Keep up the good work! There are some VERY VERY gifted people on this forum - most of whom have a much better eye than myself. Consider my opinions simply that - opinions. I am not a professional.

Cheers!