sharktales~by
messerschmittComment by rmtm333: Cheers from the Critique Club...
This image was a great entry to hidden faces. The compostion is bang on with the contrasting blue backgrounds. The reflection on the stapler gives it a feeling of the shark lurking just above the water. Your angle on the subject also leads those viewing the image to wonder where is he going or better yet, what prey has he set his sights on.
Back to the backgrounds. I really like the effect. The blue for the water is a nice strong colour while the blue in the sky provides a nice contrast and the lighting gives the effects of clouds, which in my mind improves this image.
Now to the camera work. Unfortunately, I am not gonna tell you anything that already hasn't been said by other comments. Your shallow depth of field (DOF) "wounds" this image as the viewer is first drawn to the end (camera focal point)of the stapler and not to the head. If you were able focus and capture the head, this image would have probably scored in the top 15.
I understand your response to the lettering on the sharks head, and we can never please everyone, and you may be right in it taking a way from the illusion. With the challenge being Hidden faces, some may have looked at those markings as the sharks "battle scars" and simply could have added to the illusion.
Nonetheless, I think this was a great entry in the spirit of this challenge.
All the best,
Shawn
Photographer found comment helpful.
