American Alligator (c)

[Lana Hays]

Over spring break, I got up early and drove 3 hours to Gatorland. There was a heavy fog which didn't lift until an hour or so after I got there. I was looking around and saw the alligator in the smooth water so I thought it would be an interesting image. I was really surprised when I converted it and how it looked.....even more interesting.

Canon 1DMkIIN, 500mmL IS, tripod
ISO 400, f/5, ss 1/400
RAW conversion, cropped only top/bottom for pano, slight levels, USM, touch of saturation

[Stu Bowie]

Excellent exposure Lana, showing lovely detail, with a hint of colour. I like the calm water too. Comp wise, I would move him up in the frame a bit, ( pano crop works as is ) thus leaving slightly more space at the bottom. This is just a bit tight on the right.

[Dave Phillips]

super Lana.....the bit of color is the highlight of the image.....that and the glass the gator is
embedded in. I too feel it's a bit tight.

I think one of the Roberts posted a very similar image last year....both really nice

[D. Robert Franz]

Excellent high key image. The pano crop fits this image well.....