I captured this image of an American Alligator early yesterday morning at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. This alligator is about ten feet long. When I first saw it about fifteen feet separated us The alligator took a threatening posture and moved towards me. I backed off until it moved away to the center of the small pond. This behavior is not uncommon this time of year, breeding season with males very territorial seeking females. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.
Nikon D500
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED image captured at 400mm
1/2000 F/7.1 Matrix Metering EV -1/3 ISO 640 AWB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC 2018
Cropped for composition and presentation
Last edited by Joseph Przybyla; 05-03-2018 at 08:02 AM.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Hi Joe, perhaps look at a 16x10 format working from the top right down, as I feel there is too much dead space at the foot. May be a little ease of the shadows and some more selective sharpening? I might have gone to say f/11, plenty of ISO in the bag too.
Hi Joe - Love the hat. Looks like he's all set for the royal wedding. Nice pov and good suggestions by Steve. I am wondering if you have any a few seconds earlier with the gator completely in the blue water rather than in the water with the reflected trees.
Super capture of this Alligator and I love the fashionable head dress! Very appropriate title. Enjoyed reading the story behind the image as well as information regarding behaviour (yours, as well as the Alligator's)
I see no one has mentioned this yet - I am a little unsure about the amount of blue and magenta on the subject, but you were there. Agree with Steve regarding composition and a tad more sharpening.
SS is great, F10 or 11 might have been a good idea (sorry for repeating what Steve already said). Subject seems a tad dark, or rather contrasty - it is possible to extract a bit more detail?
This is a wonderful image and so unusual, it would make a great cover for a wildlife magazine. IMHO worth another look and a few gentle tweaks in LR and PSCC - wonderful work dear Joe
Thanks everyone for viewing, commenting, and suggesting improvements. Very much appreciated. I will use your suggestions and revisit the image. Thanks again.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Camoflaged...
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