Florida Alligator

[David Smith]

This big Alligator was taken at Myakka River State Park.. He was about 12' long and was content just lying in the mud..

Canon 20D, 300mm f2.8 w/ 2X tele, AV mode, 1/500 @ f11. Resized to 800X600

Dave

[Alfred Forns]

Good angle for showing off he big guy !!! Might wan to increase contrast a bit

Cropping wise would like a crop that would include the feet they don't seem to be cut in a definite place !! Very appealing image !!!

[D. Robert Franz]

Like the head on pose here. I might have like seeing the feet but very good as is... Focus seems to be behind the eyes would have liked the eyes a bit sharper...

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Dave,
Agree with the others about the clipping and sharpness. You have a great low angle here so the sharpness/dof point does come into play. Hope you get another opportunity.

[David Smith]

How is this.. Added a little contrast, opened up the crop and sharpened it a bit..

Dave

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Dave,
Now I see why you cropped the way you did! Looks like you also improved some sharpness. With some effort you could remove the offending twig and tone down the water a bit. I went with a different approach............a crop but a bit different than you took so let me know what you think.

[David Smith]

I like your crop, but no offense intended, I think I like my original crop better and I will sharpen it and add the same amount of contrast to it..

Thanks for your help..

Dave

[Roman Kurywczak]

Not a problem Dave...........maybe a bit more of the spine on your original???...........you have endless possibilities.