Afternoon Teeth

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 20, 2011273 views9 comments

and a damselfly on the nose.

Canon EOS REBEL T2i
7/19/2011 – 6:46:13 PM
1/320 sec
Aperture priority
f/11
ISO 1600 (I don't know why)
Focal length 163 mm (very, very close, just a few feet)
Handheld sitting on ground (ready to get up very quickly)
My backyard
Raw file processed in Photoshop Elements 9. Unfortunately, some rotation was necessary, and other than cropping for rotation this is full frame. (!)

A couple of things. First, I probably shouldn't have even been sitting down, and I definitely wasn't about to lie down on the ground to get a lower level POV. The gator wasn't this close, but came up this close pretty suddenly and stopped, stayed for a minute and then backed away again. I was ready to move if need be.

Second, I see the light here. It was almost 7:00 p.m., but with this particular position of the gator the sun was shining right on the right side of its head. I'd like to think this looks more like late afternoon light (hence my title) than harsh light, but I don't know for sure.

Oh, third, the light area on the left (your right) side of the head is there in the original, presumably something about the sun and the water.

So, feedback on any of the above and anything else, and an opinion as to whether this works, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on July 20, 2011 at 9:24 PM

The warm side lighting is sweet, especially on the right eye ! You were so close that getting the head in focus from snout to eyes was not easy. Your choice of aperture looks spot on. Had you chosen to focus somewhere beween the snout and the eyes, they might have both been in focus.

Having said that, some might prefer this for it has an abstract feel focussing on the damselfly.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on July 20, 2011 at 10:35 PM

You have photo experiences I've never had and apparently a steady hand.

I'm curious about what it is like living with these, can be dangerous, reptiles? Is this something you are constantly aware of when approaching the shore line? Have you had any close calls? I've seen videos of, I believe australian crocs charging ashore at dogs and people. Is it possible that this gator dropped back to attack with speed?

Careful, Barbara.

Charlie

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on July 20, 2011 at 11:58 PM

Anand, I did try two shots with the focus in the middle, but the teeth weren't totally sharp, and I really wanted them to be sharp. That doesn't mean that I couldn't have done it better, just that I did try it but didn't like the results of my two attempts.

Charlie, when I can see the gator's head I'm basically okay with it. When the gator goes under the water, I am up as quickly as I can get up. As far as I know they attack from under the water. Gators do have my respect, and I'm definitely always looking for the gator when I'm around the pond. I generally try to never turn my back to the pond, especially when I'm sitting on the ground. I don't know that I've had close calls, but I had one strange experience I posted an image of a while ago. I think it might still be in my gallery.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 21, 2011 at 5:45 PM

The lighting is great and the reflection adds a lot. While a little more dof would be good, this is a sweet shot as it stands with the tight framing and the head on view.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 22, 2011 at 7:35 PM

I for one love the light Barbara, and the DOF is fine with me as your intention was to show the snout and teeth here...it's something different and I can appreciate how close this must've been and your hesitation to lie down

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Johan Malmros on July 23, 2011 at 3:14 AM

This must have been a thrilling experience, even if you are used to having alligators around.
I like this shot and especially the teeth area, including the strong reflection. I think however that I would have cropped it a little bit differently if it was mine. With this crop I find the eyes to be in the "look here"-spot of the image. Since they are slighlty out of focus and the damselfly and nose area are really what this image is about, I find the eyes are competing for attention.
Other than that - Great. Light is beautiful, dof is good and the little passenger adds something extra

Registered on January 6, 2011, 20 Posts, 154 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 24, 2011 at 8:33 PM

Neat shot Barbara, love the lighting. If you had managed to get the eyes in focus as well I think it would have been even better, a tall order I realize. Nicely done in a bit of a nervewracking situation.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on July 24, 2011 at 8:59 PM

Very unique composition and nice light. Wish the eyes were just a little sharper.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on July 24, 2011 at 10:03 PM

The focus issue for eyes is already well explored. This has impact as a strong composition and the key strengths are the super reflection and resulting mirror view of those teeth. Great light, too!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments