Shrimp goby macro shot

Hi there!

First time for me to post in this section of the Wetpixel forum!

I'd be very interested to get the opinion of people that weren't there at the time of the shot.

What do you think about it?

Actually it's one of my favourites, although I know it has quite a lot of aesthetic weaknesses (hips of particles...), it reminds me well of the shrimp's fast movements, and how busy it was pushing sand out of its hole. It even looks a bit angry in the photo!

I like it so much that I've even entered photo contests with it (no success though )! But I could be really biaised by the nice memories it brings to me.

Please shoot!

Nicolas

For myself, this shot reminds me how difficult it is to get a shot of a Goby Shrimp much less get close enough to get a closeup. That being the case leaving the sand spots in the water is appropriate. So for me the memories are the thing.

In my experience there is no telling about contests. Some people seem to know what judges want but I'm not one of them

I would suggest that you enter the weekly photo contest and also vote even if you didn't enter the contest. You will be amazed at the number of great shots and how often the shots you voted for do poorly.

Don't take it personally but there's not a lot that attracts me to this shot. Sometimes the shrimp are very colorful but not here. Also, if I were to compose it better, I would back up and get more surrounding area to give it a better setting. Perhaps get it's home hole in there as well. It would tell a story better. The goby's are a beautiful fish (the lower fin is usually brilliantly colored). Getting him in there might be a good idea as well.

I don't want to be super judgmental. I have worked hard at getting photos that look a lot worse than this.

Just my 2 cents.

No problem guys, I wasn't expecting lots of positive feedback, but rather a neutral analysis from other fellow underwater photographers, which is what I got.

Voting in the weekly competition is definitely something I'll do, great idea, thanks!

No problem guys, I wasn't expecting lots of positive feedback, but rather a neutral analysis from other fellow underwater photographers, which is what I got.

 

Voting in the weekly competition is definitely something I'll do, great idea, thanks!

My 2 pence...

It looks like you are trying to show the behaviour of the shrimp moving the sand. In that case then maybe position the shrimp to the left of the frame so the sand ball is not cut off and close down the aperture to give a greater depth of field to show this behaviour better.

Have fun

Duncan