[Rob Barron]

I took this inside a reptile house and they use very orange lighting to create heat as well as light for the animals. I feel that this somehow works well with the tone of the shot. It is actually lying half on top of another iguana - no, not making babies! - but I hope I have got enough sharpness on the face and enough blurring on the body of the other animal to keep the focus where it should be. The front foot is blurred too but I don't feel this matters too much as the strength is in the eye contact.

Well, those were my thoughts when I took it. What do others think now? Did it work? Your feedback is not only appreciated, it's why I put it here, whether you like the pic or not so fire away

Cheers,
Rob

[dreamland101]

Excellent pic, was the Iguana behind glass? I am always having issues when I try and photogrpah anything behind glass!!

I think the light has worked well in this shot, and keeping the eye sharp keeps the emphasis where it should be.

[Dutchie]

I agree. The eyes are sharp and the light works well in this photo.

There will be one day I can give more technical comments

[AQ]

I agree about the sharpnes being in the right place and the problems with shoting through glass but I really do not like the pose, although in cases lik e this you have to take what you can. The dominating out of focus leg spoils what could have been a great shot. Not for me this time

[marcinklysewicz]

it works perfect for me - sharpness is exactly where i expect it to be. great colours.

[Sonsey]

Works well for me... good balance, colour cast works with the subject and the eye seems acceptably sharp on my monitor.

Very nice shot Rob.

[Rob Barron]

Thanks for the helpful comments. I am slightly unsure of what you mean Anth when you say the front leg is dominating. I am more than happy with it being out of focus because if it were sharp then so would the body it is resting on which I definitely didn't want. I feel something dominated the viewer's eye if it is brighter as the eye is generally drawn towards brighter areas in a picture but the leg here is darker than the face and body above it.

Is the leg dominating? I'd be pleased to see what others think on that. If it is, other than it being more in focus, how could I avoid it dominating?

Cheers,
Rob

[AQ]

When I first looked at the picture it was just about the first thing I noticed after the face, it is so central and quite large. If you could have moved to the right I would have liked it more but I guess that was not possible.

But that is only my opinion and I am sure others will not agree, it is just how I saw the picture.

I will have to post one of mine so you can get your own back

[Markulous]

Yeah, you've definitely got the focus right bang slap where it should be, just a shame that the light works against you: there is the bright head and there's the bright iguana underneath. Not too wild on the comp either - positioning of head in the frame. Darken the underneath iguana and leg and I think you're going the right way

[Rob Barron]

Ok, fair points both. I was very restricted in what I could do in terms of taking this shot so had to get what was there. The only bit I am not sure I agree on is the position of the head as it is not central, roughly 40% from the right in terms of the eye itself.

I wonder whether a vignette would work here to darken the bottom corners in the way the top corners are. Might add more balance and keep the head as the only light area. Good suggestion that Mark.

BTW if anyone wants to pimp it, do feel free

Cheers,
Rob

ps Wouldn't dream of trying to 'get my own back' on you Anth, your pics are very good and I put this here to get constructive feedback which yours most definitely is so I appreciate your honesty

[Markulous]

Putting my money where my mouth is:


Crop to put eye into corner (and removing bulk of lower iguana) - now there a line from nose to top of back with eye halfway along), slight dodge back, slight burn other iguana.

You pretty much lose the leg but I think get a stronger image

[Rob Barron]

Hey I like that one Mark, thanks. Not sure if I'd try and keep the ends of the toes just so it is complete but getting rid of a lot of the second iggy does help here and absolutely all of the focus is on the face where we want it.

Cheers,
Rob