Don't Feed the Gators
by ericwoo

Comment by timfythetoo:
Trading Post -

I gave this shot a 6 but may have been on the edge of giving it a 7 now that I look at it again. I like the concept and the overall capture. I think what takes away from it for me at least is the hue of the green stuff. I realize that it is probably pretty true to real life but I think a slightly more green/less yellow may have made this a bit easier on the eyes. With basic editing this may have been tough with trying to keep the gator a good shade. Nice sharpness on hte face and the background/foreground blur work well. The camouflage aspect makes you stick around a bit longer than most pics just to figure out all that is there. A good shot overall especially under basic editing restrictions. Tough to leave the string of 6s behind though - I can totally relate.

Don't Feed the Gators
by ericwoo

Comment by KiwiShotz:
::: Critique Club :::

Hi from the critique club, this is going to be fun, I hate critters, especially slimy green ones that want to eat me.

First Impressions:
It's not the sort of image you "like" very much is it. I didn't get wowed by it, but neither did I have a passive reaction. The thing looks seriously creepy and threatening and that engaged me - always a good thing in a competition photograph.

Subject:
This is a great choice of subject because it is guaranteed to get a reaction from the viewer. Even better that it's partially hidden and therefore more menacing. Even better, it's green - right on Challenge :)

Composition:
The bottom left to top right position of the 'gator has created a leading line whilst the eye is almost on thirds. The whole effect is a pretty good balance without being spectacularly captivating. You really did the very best with the material available.

Technical (Colour, Lighting and focus):
I'm undecided about the depth of field. At some point I like it then 5 minutes later I wonder how much more impact it would have had with a long DOF with all the algae sharp. I've decided that I'm not prepared to release a statement at this time ... lol. You nailed the challenge, it's green. Perhaps not brilliant green, but there's really no doubt.

I see you were running ISO200, was that intentional? Fortunately with this subject grain would never be an issue. You obviously had plenty of light at 1/5000th and f2.8. I bet you played with the DOF, did the others look pretty ho hum?

Growing the Vote:
It is perhaps a little golden if you're really scrapping to get every last point in voting but it in no way doesn't meet the Green challenge. Its just that voting is hard and people have to look for differences that can cost a point.

Summary:
It's a cool shot. It got noticed. It scored above average (of 5.5) but I'm really surprised about the 13 3's - no way does it deserve that so I really don't understand it. I wish I did.

Brett

Don't Feed the Gators
by ericwoo

Comment by nards656:
==Trading Post==

It's definitely green :) It does look like you had to manipulate it to achieve this level of green. I like the diagonal, but the blurry "background" bothers me, pulling my eye away from the gator.

Don't Feed the Gators
by ericwoo

Comment by tngrndream:
hello again,

seems like the colors are oversaturated. that is my only problem.. it looks as if they are too bright.

i like the gator and his position in the frame. the junk on him is cool..... like the way he looks like he is stalking.

overall nice shot.

Don't Feed the Gators
by ericwoo

Comment by Melethia:
Trading Post comment

Composition/subject - I really like these pictures where the subject is camoflauged so I like your subject choice. I'd almost like the shot better with the top cropped a bit more, leaving the eye just below the center line, but that's just me.

Technical - Good use of depth of field, very good exposure and post processing to get such detail and clarity in a monochromatic shot. Only nit is the OOF background seems to command a bit more attention that it should due to the highlights. Not sure if a bit of burning would help (though not permitted for this challenge, of course.)

Meets challenge - Yep.

My opinion - I like it.

Father
by ericwoo

Comment by Melethia:
I like the line you chose here - in particular, I like the shadow along the wall.

Don't Feed the Gators
by ericwoo

Comment by pall:
Excellent DOF

Cobbelstones
by ericwoo

Comment by cp5140:
great image! you can feel the image just by looking at it.

Don't Feed the Gators
by ericwoo

Comment by slickchik:
great shot...i'd like to see less background blur

Don't Feed the Gators
by ericwoo

Comment by sherpet:
One can hardly see him, but that is good...