I was trying to get a shot of the Everglades as the sun was setting but this alligator kept getting in the way. Just kidding. I have visited this same alligator on several occasions over the past 6 months. I am always able to find him/her and I have found that I can get REALLY close to it. The closeset that I have gotten the camera is about a foot away. Don't even think that my head is behind the viewfinder when I do this because I'm not quite that crazy! I lie down on a dock that is starting to fall apart so that it just even with the waterline to just about one foot above it depending on where I position myself. I put the camera over the edge to just above the water so that I get a waterbird's perspective, press the shutter halfway and listen for the beep while pointing the lens towards the alligator's eye, reframe using my best judgement (in regards to aiming the camera) and finish pressng the shutter. I had to do this over and over again to make up for my bad aim.
Post Challenge: Wow!!! I can't believe that I have now gotten my first ribbon and that I got it in THIS challenge among all of these outstanding entries. This has been the most exciting week in my time here at DPC, especially after following the score thread hourly. Thanks, everybody, for the numerous compliments and comments.
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Place: 3 out of 218 Avg (all users): 7.8366 Avg (commenters): 8.5714 Avg (participants): 7.5370 Avg (non-participants): 8.0537 Views since voting: 24400 Views during voting: 603 Votes: 257 Comments: 145 Favorites: 61 (view)
can't believe how close you got to this guy! I've seen these guys move like lightening and snatch a little dog off the docks! The picture is so incredible though, I might have been tempted...
lolz yep, i know its already been said, but you are nuttier than squirrel crap! this is an excellent image though, and I miss its type, I am an original floridian as well, and the giants are definitly a part of my life.
yeah this picture is awesome, i just read the description you wrote and I am extremely impressed at how brave you are... i mean... a 12-24mm lens! Nice job, fav'd, dont know why it wasn't on my faves list before
Unbelievably cool! Even shooting it the way you describe, it still sounds pretty dangerous. Aren't these things lightning-fast and deadly?
Personal safety aside, the shot is gorgeous. I love the sky and clouds reflected near the end of his nose. It really gives the shot a balance and focal point. Nicely done.
Outstanding photograph, quite the 'snap' ! congratulations on a very well deserved ribbon. Just make certain you keep your respect for this creature - they are not my favourites but they are amazing!
Hahaha You did not find Chubs hand in there...(Happy Gilmore)
That is an amazing shot I wish I could shoot pictures of crocs.
Hah...The closest thing to crocs that we have in Fargo are newts(and they are amphibious).
Looks like something out of National Geographic. Really!
You could probably sell that photo to them or "Louisiana Conservationalist" or the like. Congrats!
Amazing photo, but it ain't worth him biting into you and pulling you under, you screaming for your loved ones, them running out to the water, witnessing a agtor leterally trying to eat you.
Maybe iy's a smaller one, your thinking, "He can't eat me!" and maybe you're right. But even a small bite from a gator gives people a nasty, nasty infection that leads to amputation sometimes.
You probably know all this already, you probably just haven't imagined your kids watching you get pulled under, or you laying in bed for months having your family wait on you...
It's a great shot to be sure, but there's gotta be safer ways of getting it then sticking your face in a gators face so closely that he opens his his mouth (a gators way of saying - "Not so close")
This was my favourite shot in this challenge. I love your subject and the close and interesting POV. Congrats on getting the YELLOW ribbon and such a high score.
Amazing capture! Love the water drops on the teeth, and your perspective is unique. Maybe you are not THAT crazy to put your head to the viewfinder, but still pretty crazy to hold the camera with your own hands one foot from this mouth. Congrats on getting away with it, and with a well deserved ribbon to boot!
Was there really any doubt? This had ribbon written all over it.... right next to the phrase, "Are you nuts?!" You'll need a macro of his tonsils to top this! ;-)
Robert, I knew you would ribbon with this! Glad you managed to get your first ribbon...this is a dramatic hot...I am a HUGE wide angle fan, and this is one of the best around...PERFECT
Mate, great shot, but you are seriously nuts. Those things can move soooooo quickly when they want to. Keep doing this and it's only a matter of time before you lose an appendage, hopefully not your head. Is it worth it???
Actually my favorite of the three ribbons in this challenge, really dig the wide angle use here, makes the jaws look much bigger an menacing. Two thumbs up and congrat´s on your first ribbon!
Just added to my favs - Great shot great exposure - Cannot say enough about this pic. I was amazed that my top 3 picks for this very hard to choose challenge were the top 3 picks overall - All 3 are very worthy - This one however, for me tips the scales as the best of the set. Brilliant!
An alligator close-up with a wide angle lens?
I think that it's more stupid than brave. I would have be safer to use a remote shutter.
The pic, btw, is outstanding.
Great Shot. I love alligators, and know some can be "tame".I take visitors to see the alligators on the Hillsborough river in Tampa. You still wouldn't ever get me taking this shot by hand. You're brave but good!
Yeeps! Just be careful out there. I'd hate to read about a photographer minus arms and a camera. But seriously this was a wonderful photo and the ribbon was well-deserved. Good job!
Well deserved! I love the description of how the image was taken and agree with other you are crazy but worth result (since you lived to tell us about it....lol)
This is a pretty amazing photograph. The perspective is quite simply unique - not many would have the guts to try it, I suspect - the composition is good, with plenty of the habitat visible to give context to the alligator (or crocodile?). I really am very impressed.
Well well - What a great capture - Here is my first 10. The light is great the exposure and the sharpness. I love it. Really well done. I love the stillness of the water around his mouth - Got to be in the top 3 for sure!
Since I live in Florida this is one of my favorite photos! Great closeup shot of a great looking gator! Unique shot as well...haven't seen a shot of a gator from this perspective before.
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