Ali up close

[Alfred Forns]

The companion image to this is at the friends and family gallery Might want to check it out

This was made at Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park Alligators are numerous and will come out into the walking paths This particular day there was very little foot traffic so he came out to sun himself

Alligators are not aggressive and tolerate approaches (don not recommend) If they show any signs of discomfort their mouth will slowly open and hiss Time to respect the animal give some room right away

Comments welcome and much appreciated

Nikon D200
200-400 VR 1.7X
f 6.7 1/180 sec
Av -1
Flash - 1 2/3
ISO 800

[D. Robert Franz]

Comp really works here Al... Great idea getting eye level. It is so important for wildife portraits. The teeth are prominant and very sharp (in several ways). You've lost sharpness on the eyes. Probably could have stopped down to about F11 and had a bit more DOF to include both eyes and nose...

[Howard Burkert]

I like the focus on the teeth. Just a thought on the left eye! If in your ethics, would this be a candidate for Robert O'Tooles Ouick mask technique. Select the right eye and then do a free transform. Grab and pull the right vertical line horizontal to the left until it is the right proportion, then move it in to replace the left eye.Just a thought! And thanks for for help on getting me started on the forum.
Best,
Howard.

[ajay]

Afred,
You switched to Nikon?? Great eye-level shot.
Ajay

[Alfred Forns]

Thanks Howard It is a good idea !!! Totally agree and will make Robert proud !!!

[Stephen Stephen]

I love the low angle here Al but would agree with Robart about wanting to see the eyes a bit sharper.

[Howard Burkert]

I agree that it would be nice if the eyes were shaper. My suggestion was to make better what we now have.
Best,
Howard.

[Gayle Clement]

I was curious about the view from this side after seeing Fabs shot of the alligator hunter. What a beast! He has quite an overbite.

[Milo Burcham]

Nice view of the gator, Al. I agree that some more dof would help. To emphasize the teeth, perhaps a bigger lens/and or/less dof, would throw the eyes further oof and not leave me wishing they were shop. YOUR EC (ethics committee) will have to deal with the eye issue!

[Jasper Doest]

I already expected this photograph :-D

You've chosen a lovely low angle here. Looking at the DOF I think you wanted to emphasize the teeth here. Not sure if it really works with the DOF/focal lenght you've chose. I agree with Milo that a longer focallenght might have been better as it would throw the eyes further OOF.