This is why you should not go near the waters edge in Florida... natures perfect ambush predator. This is a big guy who has been around for a long time. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.
Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 130mm (195mm FFE)
1/2000 F/8 Matrix Metering 0 EV ISO 1100 AWB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC
Cropped for composition and presentation
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Hi Joe, certainly going for a side elevation works well as it really shows off the length & scale of this beast.
I don't know if it was possible to go lower, I just feel It may have helped irrespective of any grass stems overlapping the head. Techs look good and having a better SS probably aided the sharpness. If you have it then I would move the whole crop up with less water below and more above. I also think you could up the Temp and selectively reduce the Blue/Cyan within the Gator, but the water does look pushed a bit in it's colour??? Shadows look a tad heavy???
Hi Joe, certainly going for a side elevation works well as it really shows off the length & scale of this beast.
I don't know if it was possible to go lower, I just feel It may have helped irrespective of any grass stems overlapping the head. Techs look good and having a better SS probably aided the sharpness. If you have it then I would move the whole crop up with less water below and more above. I also think you could up the Temp and selectively reduce the Blue/Cyan within the Gator, but the water does look pushed a bit in it's colour??? Shadows look a tad heavy???
TFS
Steve
Hi Steve, not really possible to go lower. The trail is on top of a dyke with steep banks across a canal from the alligator. I changed the crop reflecting your suggestion, opened the shadows a bit, and slightly raised the temperature. Here is a repost with the edits.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Hi Joe,the repost defiantly shows an improvement in colour particularly in the water,and the detail on the Alligator is better.Hope you keep a good distance between you,take care.
I think that has improved the overall image, however what do you think Joe? The way the subject now sits within the frame seems better balanced IMHO.
Hi Steve, as always your suggestions were spot on. I agree, the image is better balanced. Just a little tweak makes all the difference. Thanks again for helping.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Jo I like the repost lovely details and I like the colours. That is one big alligator, it must be quite an experience to get a shot like that in the wild.