Waterfall (Animal Kingdom)
by sukuriant

Comment by wyverndragon:
I see the potential, but I think the image just loses too much detail in highlights and shadows.

I live in a forest just like this. You may be one of my locals for all I know. :) I kept getting frustrated because I could never make a photo that caught the magic of the little dappled-sunlight spots I found in the woods. Then someone pointed out to me that sunny spots are full, bright, direct sunlight. So, like, f/22 or so. The shadow spots don't get a lot of ambient light because the forest is generally kind of dark. So, like, f/4 or so. There's just no earthly way for a single exposure to make dappled sunlight look good. With that thought in mind, I started working HDR techniques for a while, and eventually it added tons to my forest shots.

I highly recommend HDR for shots like this.

Waterfall (Animal Kingdom)
by sukuriant

Comment by giantmike:
Good job getting the sense of motion in the water. I know others won't like the branches that cover the top falls, but I think it adds a bit of mystery.

Golden Eagle
by sukuriant

Comment by alfresco:
My opinion on why it scored "low" - no good separation between the subject and the background. That was my first impression when I opened the image, and that impression stuck with me for about five seconds. As voting goes that's about as much time as you get (unfortunately).

In a different environment where the viewer is not constrained by time the "score" (read: overall impression) may be higher.

I still feel the photo's background detracts from the subject instead of enhancing the subject.

Anyway - my two cents! :)

Pondering
by sukuriant

Comment by Dr.Confuser:
Pretty animal, beautifully composed. Nice detail in the fur and whiskers. Feels a little tilted but it may well be an optical illusion.

Two Polkadotted Grumps
by sukuriant

Comment by Blackbox:
Nice focus and contrast.

Pondering
by sukuriant

Comment by MaryO:
Love the perpindicular lines in the composition. Might have cropped a little tighter on bottom to avoid the slight diagonal there. Nice portrait of a gorgeous cat.

Pondering
by sukuriant

Comment by Ja-9:
beautiful cat...love the detail

Two Polkadotted Grumps
by sukuriant

Comment by noraneko:
Nice action shot - seems a little bit of a squeeze for polka dots, but what the heck...maybe a little dodging on the main cheetah's face?

Two Polkadotted Grumps
by sukuriant

Comment by Tammster:
Great action shot!

Two Polkadotted Grumps
by sukuriant

Comment by Ja-9:
nice clear shot...well done...your colors really pop