zoology - keeping them alive at any cost
by gazdi

Comment by pkotsamanes:
He looks so sad when teamed with the title. I almost wrote something else here because it took a minute for it to settle in. I'm not sure if adding text is allowed in the advanced editing but if you added the word captivity in a subtly way this might have been more obvious.

Great job turning a drawback of the environment into a focal point of the picture using the title.

zoology - keeping them alive at any cost
by gazdi

Comment by nlghttrain:
I love the expression, too bad the fence was there

zoology - keeping them alive at any cost
by gazdi

Comment by Jedusi:
What a poignant picture . . you are right that sometimes this is the only way of keeping them alive, but looking at his face, it seems to be at a cost . .

zoology - keeping them alive at any cost
by gazdi

Comment by BeckyT:
Great composition and expression on the monkey. I like the background colors but think the colors of the monkey need to be adjusted to make him stand out more. I like the fact that you have the chain link fence showing in the foreground. That gets the meaning across.

zoology - keeping them alive at any cost
by gazdi

Comment by kellyrc01:
I wis

gopher playing possum
by gazdi

Comment by chesire:
I love the little face peeking up above the grass. I can almost feel like I'm there watching him. Very nice capture.

gopher playing possum
by gazdi

Comment by karmat:
CRITIQUE CLUB CRITIQUE
by karmat

He looks like he is ready to do battle!

Compositionally, the little critter is in an excellent point in the frame. There is a good use of negative space that helps to emphasize the subject, and it is a stable, balanced feeling shot. I also like the low perspective you have chosen to use. I really like that you captured the "eye contact."

Technically, *I* like the shallow depth of field and how the grass in the foreground is blurry. Upon first glance, though, it gives the impression of the whole picture being out of focus, and in a field of almost 600 entries, a shot has to have immediate appeal, which it may not have done for several.

Also, the green is a bit drab which gives the picture more of a "ho-hum" feeling rather than making it *pop.* Obviously, that is difficult to control, but maybe playing with brightness/contrast or saturation *might* give it a bit of color.

overall, I think it is a good shot, and it made me smile. Be careful, though, they can bite!

Karma

small meadow anemone
by gazdi

Comment by bvlindalou:
I love all those little hairs on this flower. Your dof is excellent. wonderful shot!!!

gopher playing possum
by gazdi

Comment by klstover:
So cute!!

gopher playing possum
by gazdi

Comment by UNTITLED:
This result really surprises me, I thought this would score much higher. The DOF was awesome and the way you caught him sneaking a peek at you is prefect.