Flower and Crocodile

[Phil Ertel]

This image was created on June 6th at Gatorland in Orlando Florida during a workshop conducted by Robert Amoruso. The flower resting on the snout of the crocodile catch my attention. I liked the contrast between the soft delicate flower and the hardness of the crocodile. Thanks for taking the time to view the image and of course any comments / suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Camera: Canon 50D
Lens: EF70-200 mm f/2.8 IS USM +1.4
Focal Length: 235 mm
Subject Distance: 2,1 m
Metering Mode: Evaluative
Exposure Mode: Manual
f-stop 4.0
Shutter Speed 1/1250
ISO 400
Flash: Did not fire

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Phil, a very arresting image indeed, love everything about it, abstract yes. Wonder if it works vertical better?

Might clone out a couple of spots on the slightly darker area of the gator and one close by, three in all.;)

TFS
Steve

[Harshad Barve]

Terrific image , amazing details , I liked this very much , Big congrats

Wonder if it works vertical better?

Another vote for vert
TFS

[Phil Ertel]

Thanks for your comments Steve and Harsh. I hadn't thought of a vertical . I tied one with the snout pointing up and another with it pointing down. I thought the downward orientation worked best. Is this presentation what you had in mind and does it work better for you?

Steve: I took out couple of small light spots. Did I address your observations?

Thanks again for your comments!

[Harshad Barve]

repost looks better to me

[Steve Canuel]

Interesting view of the nostrils and texture of the skin. Flower makes a nice contrast. Prefer the original post. The lack of symmetry on the snout shows up more as a vertical.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Phil ... great image !!!

Can only add that you want to stop down for these type images, dof is all important !!!

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Alfred. Thanks much for the comments. You are right depth of field. I should have stepped down. I had the light and didn't have to worry about freezing motion. I had been attempting birds in flight and didn't adjust when the situation changed:(. Live and learn. Thanks again for the reminder.

[Steve Kaluski]

On reflection Phil I think Steve C has a point and that the OP is better, although it is always worth exploring too alternatives :)

My only concern is that if you stopped down the you would lose SS and need to up the ISO, tricky one.

Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

I definately prefer the OP - works better visually...lovely abstract and something different. Agree with Al on more DOF - it would take this to another level

[Keith McHugh]

I prefer the original post. However, is it possible to maybe burn the water around the bottom of the snout? I think if you can get rid of a little bit of the yellow hues there you can make it more symmetrical with the top portion of the image. Just a thought. Great capture!

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Phil,
This is a winner for sure. A refreshing image. I don't often say that, I would be happy if this image were mine. I prefer the original composition.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi