Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

[guymclaren]

if so why? if not why not
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[Archangel]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

if so why? if not why not

If I definitely had to use on of those, that would be only No.2.
In all the rest the background reveals that it is not so much of Wild Life Photography but more of a Zoo Life.

George

[Pops]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

Afraid not
1. head burnt out
2 dead eye
3 background distraction
4 beak unfocused - background poles? intruding
5 beak burnt out - background wire mesh distraction

[guymclaren]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

This is not from a zoo, Its a wildlife rehabilitation centre.

[guymclaren]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

OK so how could I have improved those shots?

[coupekid]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

Hi Guy,

I kind of agree with what has already been said.

I feel that you have some magnificent creatures there, but the photographs dont seem to capture this at all.

In order to improve, I would recomend capturing them at their best.

You happen to have my favourite bird of prey in there, the Griffon Vulture, which is a huge and stunning creature, however, from your picture you wouldnt know.

Here is the kind of thing I am getting at, this is by no means a perfect shot, the wing tips are clipped off amongst other things.



Where you are situated, you are in the unique position to be able to capture a much larger (and some would say more interesting) array of animals, so get out there, and try and capture them in their natural environment.

I feel that the pictures here are a little on the claustophibic side.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Ben

[Autumn]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

I have studied all these photographs closely and I have to agree with Pops. In fact they could have been my comments.

First of all let me say I could not do anything like as good, however, I belong to a Photographic Society with members who are excellent Natural History photographers. In fact, one of them regularly has his pictures in Photographic Magazines and has won worldwide competitions with his birds. (Mind you, he tells us he lays on his stomach for about 3 weeks to get his shots. . So, although I would not know how, I do understand what the Judges require.

Here are some of the things that are picked up by the judges:

1 A neutral background

2 A catchlight in the birds eye

3 Most the birds we see (for competition purposes) are not cropped.

4 No blown highlights

5 Absolute focus of the feathers throughout the bird, with the background blurred, bland, softly coloured and blending.

More space after the beak than behind the tail.

Preferably standing facing to the right

I have to say this man does NOT shoot digitally.

I hope you realise that this is not a criticism, just something I know should happen, but have never done.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck

[Josh Bear]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

Hi,

I am afraid the answer is no for me. The answer to why is that any picture I have seen win wildlife competitions tends to be dramatic or emotional in some way. After countless trips to various parks, conservation parks, Zoos I am of the opinion that there is no substitute for actually getting out into their habitiat and capturing the pictures there.

As i said all just my opinion.

Best Regards

Josh

[ash]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

Hi, they all seam like hesitated snapshotts rather than calculated portraits, I do feel your initial statement was a bit cocky, you would have been better posting one image for critisizm and going from there, as they all have the same flaws. Just my view and advice.
cheers
Ash

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Would you enter any of these in a wildlife competition if so why?

A wildlife rehabilitation centre is still obviously a place where fauna are kept enclosed or caged & doesn't depict the true nature of any species or habitat as that of an open range reserve eg Kruger, Umfolozi etc. Living in Mpumalanga, I
wouldv'e thought that the opputunity to capture the 'Free flight' of a number of species fairly or relatively easy, owing to its proximity to the Kruger Park!
You being in the 'Tourist' or Tourism Marketing trade, (excuse if this is incorrect) would perhaps have seen the numerous photos in literature advertizing Wildlife & such things in South Africa, particularly by South African photographers & perhaps able to judge what essentially is a captivating shot of flora or fauna in Africa itself!