turtle on log in swamp

This is a good shot of a turtle Sam. If I might make a few suggestions. First, the turtle is dead center in the frame. This composition makes the image look kind of static. But changing the composition to crop out a lot of the foliage and placing the turtle off center, you will draw more attention to it and make the image a lot more interesting. Also, the depth of field extends from near to far. The foliage on the other side of the image is rater busy and the turtle's head gets kind of lost in it. Using a wider aperture to shallow the depth of field will draw more attention ot the turtle's head.

I changed the crop in PS and blurred the background somewhat. This was really "quick and dirty" and intended only to illustrate the points I made. What do you think?

Very nicely executed.

Hi Scott,

thanks very much for your thoughtful input.

You said:

"First, the turtle is dead center in the frame.  This composition makes the image look kind of static."

Well, the image shows a very static scene, what with the turtle sitting still, in a way by doing so trying to get little to no attention. So, what's the problem with 'static'?

Another quote:

"placing the turtle off center, you will draw more attention to it"

As the turtle is already occupying quite a lot of space in the image, I don't see that shifting its position a wee bit off centre will attract more attentiom to it. That's a bit too theoretical, kind of a rule which sometimes should be broken.

Then, you remark:

"The foliage on the other side of the image is rather busy and the turtle's head gets kind of lost in it."

Oh, come on, we're in nature, not in a studio! The surroundings of the turtle are an essential part of this natural scene. The turtle's head isn't lost at all. The natural camouflage, mimicry, of critters is an essential partof the natural world.

You asked:

"What do you think?"

See my remarks. And, I think you're a bit too much emphasizing theoretical aspects which do not always have to apply.

cheers

Sam

You seem to have a rationalization for everything Sam. You are certainly welcome to take or leave my of my comments as they are just suggestions. But they come from over 40 years of doing photography both as a hobbyist and as a part time professional. Images of mine have been published in various print magazines for many years now. The entire point of a critique is to look critically at an image and provide suggestions as to how to improve it. Not to chest thump or hear myself talk. I go to a great deal of time, more than probably 90% of the people who frequent this site, trying to provide a meaningful critique of an image. I will not waste my time or yours telling you how great your photo is if it is poorly executed. And as your original image stands, it looks like a snapshot taken by an amateur. Not meaning to sound brash, but that is the unvarnished truth of it, like it or not. This image could have just as easily have been taken with a cell phone. The point of critiquing an image is to help the photographer improve their abilities. I won't bother to waste any more of my valuable time again trying to help you become a better photographer.  

yes Scott,

I fully agree!

This amateur shot that critter while he, the amateur, was sitting in a moving boat, under unfavourable light & shooting conditions.

Then he cropped it according to his own taste, not rules & regulations, laid down by his betters or superiors, & enjoyed the result: yes, a snaphot.

What's really wrong with that? Bad taste?

You've, well-meant, changed my photo. 

OK! you asked me what I thought about that. I've told you. Now twice.

That's a discussion, not something to get emotional about. It's only about a photo, oh sorry, a snapshot.

That's my two cents.

Thank you very much!

Sam

Not getting emotional, just telling it like it is. If you put up a photo for critique, which you did, and then rationalize away all the points which are pointed out, which were all very valid, away, then why bother to put it up for critique? If you are satisfied with your level of photography, that's fine, I just won't waste any more of my valuable time trying to point out ways you can use to improve it. No one, regardless of skill level, is so good at this that they cannot learn from others, unless they do not want to. 

Scott,

thanks very much for sharing your experience, thoughts, ideas, & philosophies about what a good photo is & how to make it. 

Your input is highly appreciated!

cheers

Sam