I'm ready for my close-up!

[Paul Marcellini]

From the other night after my sunset shoot.

*A fed gator is a dead gator. Once they become used to humans, they become a hazard and will be destroyed by authorities. Unfortunately, this one appears to be fed frequently. Gators have a natural avoidance of humans and this one is completely lacking that. I have debated reporting this gator, because I know the most likely outcome.

5d2, 16-35
Lens (mm): 25
ISO: 400
Aperture: 9
Shutter: 2.5 + 1s

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Paul, like the POV and low angle, brave man with that short lens. I also like the composition with the BG following the line of the Alligator into the distance. Very well conceived image.

I understand your dillema as we have the same problem here , particularly with Monkeys and Baboons which end up being shot as they can become very aggressive and dangerous. Unfortunately people don't understand or care about the consequences of feeding wild animals.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

One brave man !!:eek::eek: for you to be so close to him . Awesome POV here , love the gator half inside water ....Just lovely . As far as feeding wild animals is considered , a lot of people do not understand the consequences of their action .

[Robert Amoruso]

Good to see you here Paul.

I know that you were up against fading light but would have been nice to have focus to infinity as well for the BG.

I like the arc of the rocks in the FG and hope you made a horizontal image that explores that aspect of the image as well.

[Rachel Hollander]

Paul - Nice POV and the comp looks good too. I don't think I would want to get that close to a gator. Too bad about people irresponsibly feeding the gators (or any wildlife).

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Paul, I liked the image when I first saw it, but can't help feel this rendition is from a lower res file rather than the final version, as it has not got the depth of colour, detail & clarity I have seen elsewhere at 720px?

I like the tiering of the image with excellent backdrop. Yes a fraction more at the foot of the image would be ideal, but using a 16-35 I think that was close enough. The slight curvature of the tail and as Robert has mentioned, the curves of the rocks in the FG works well.

Congrats on your courage, it has produced a fine image.

TFS
Steve