Lizard at the National Zoo, Washington, DC

Any comments or ratings are appreciated! :-)

As you have seen previously, I am not very good at shooting animals. This was taken through glass at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. What do you think about the DOF? The color? I used a flash ... are the darks too dark? Balance? Etc.?? (Kim - I'd LOVE to get your honest opinion!!)

Wils! Thank you so much. Funny - I'll show you the original image ... I saw the greenish cast, and thought it needed to go. Now that I see your version, I realize that I shouldn't have played with the color. And ... which thing is it that you did that pulled out the detail in the lizard's scales? Was that from the shadow/highlight? Thank you!!

Lou Ann...he looks as though he is cast in silver! I think the DOF is OK, and I agree with Wilson's fine advice...Animals can be difficult! (but not as difficult as people...;-)

Nicely composed with a diagonal composition.

As Wilson says the colour temperature could be looked at especially as in artificially lit places the cast is quite strong. There are several ways of adjusting this. In PS you can do colour variations as Enhance > Adjust Color > Color variations - then add or subtract the primary colors to suit. This is easier to do in RAW files and the clever way (which I don't do!) is to adjust the camera settings.

Great detail, Lou Ann. Aren't lizards wonderful???

Love the comp! Looks like he's posing for you. As for color, DOF etc, I think Wilson's version really works well. His coloration and work on the shadows really brings out the colorful scales at the bottom and keeps me from being distracted by the blurred spines on his back. Shooting through glass can be such a pain, especially with all of the smudges from the animals and the kids! You've done well with all that.

 

Leslie

Oh yes, Wilson's version is a great improvement, in terms of colours & clarity. I always keep colours as close to the original as possible in macros. Overall the composition is good with it peeking at its audience. Thought the name for this is Iguana?

Thanks, Cherlyn ... I am absolutely not an animal expert. If it's an iguana, it's an iguana. (How do you tell the difference? Where's Michael Chang when you need him?)

Really nice photo! Ivana

Lou Ann, I think that your original is closer to what wilson has done. anyway, I like the head that has beautiful details. You are not an animal photographer.. so what? we learn all the time ;-))