Skunk Clownfish

To all,

I have recently finished going through all of my stock and literally throwing out hundreds of slides. There was even a box in the corner of a closet that had been marked as rejects for quite some time. However, before I just dumped the box, I decided to check the slides again.

For the most part, the images were definitely reject material. And yet, there were a couple that I actually liked. Below is one of the saved images (captured in either Indonesia or the Solomons). In addition to the skunk clownfish, there are tiny anemone shrimp in the bottom left tentacles of the anemone. I would appreciate your feedback.

Scott

Hi Scott,

Very nice picture. Clown fish with anenomes are among my favorites. I really like the way you contorolled the lighting in this image. Very dramatic. Since you are obviously able to digitize your images, I would recommend that you crop the the left side a bit and spend some time with the clone stamp tool to clean things up. Below is my rendition of your photo with those changes. I like frames and borders as it helps me visualize the image as it might be displayed so I have taken that liberty as well. You may however prefer just the image as many don't like the borders and frames. It is your image and certainly your call. All the above is only one man's opinion.

Scott: you might want to consider lightening up on the sharpening, as well. It looks oversharpened.

I agree: dramatic lighting.

Hi Scott,

I love the colors and contrast in this, but I do notice ghosting around the anemonefish (which is a pink anemonefish rather than a skunk, btw) that I think detracts from the image. Not sure how hard it would be to correct. Also, I personally find that I'm less satisfied with images that show the fish even slightly heading away; maybe that's just personal preference.

Hope this helps.

Thank you to those who took the time to reply. In terms of the Skunk clownfish actually being a Pink clownfish or anemonefish, my resources refer to it as a Pink Skunk clownfish or Pink Skunk Anemonefish or False Skunk-striped Anemonefish. Linda if you will be so kind as to educate me on the differences, I would greatly appreciate you help.

As for the ghosting, I do not see it on my monitor. I will try to view it on adifferent system. Perhaps because my monitor is calibrated via Pantone's Spyder, the image looks right on mine, but poor on others calibrated via a different system. This is something I would like to research.

A crop on the left side seems to be a good choice.

I also normally prefer to capture images of creatures facing the camera at an angle or at times head on (except for Spotted Trunkfish whose backs are beautiful). That is probably the reason why I rejected the image originally. Now I believe the image will find a home in a publication with some cleaning up.

This is another example for me to be careful before quickly deleting digital images. Some shots tend to grow on me in time. Others become less pleasant.

Again, I appreciate your input.

Scott

Thank you to those who took the time to reply.  In terms of the Skunk clownfish actually being a Pink clownfish or anemonefish, my resources refer to it as a Pink Skunk clownfish or Pink Skunk Anemonefish or False Skunk-striped Anemonefish.  Linda if you will be so kind as to educate me on the differences, I would greatly appreciate you help.

Scott, common names are never definitive, of course, but the most definitive reference I have is the Fautin/Allen "Anemone Fishes" book. According to this, the skunk anemonefish is Amphiprion akallopisos, which is very similar to the pink anemonefish (A. perideraion) but has no sideburns. There is also the orange anemonefish, which is very like the skunk but more orange in color. It too does not have sideburns. They all seem to get called skunk by folks at some point or another!

As for the ghosting, I do not see it on my monitor.  I will try to view it on adifferent system.  Perhaps because my monitor is calibrated via Pantone's Spyder, the image looks right on mine, but poor on others calibrated via a different system.  This is something I would like to research.

My monitor is also calibrated via Spyder. The ghosting is along the upper edge of the anemonefish face, and is a ghosting of the light edge of the stripe there. Perhaps I notice it because I've had issues in the past with the white markings on anemonefish ghosting.

Again, I hope this is helpful.

My monitor is also calibrated via Spyder. The ghosting is along the upper edge of the anemonefish face, and is a ghosting of the light edge of the stripe there

Same thing here on my monitor calibrated with a Spyder...

Regardless, I like the image, great lighting and a nice change on composition with a Anemonefish / Anemone.

Hello Linda and Tom,

I humbly admit that I do see the ghosting now that you have posted the precise location. I will to go back to the original scan to find out if it is present there as well. I have been looking at so many slides and scans in the past month that my eyes are sometimes seeing doubles of everything! :wink:

In regards to the Pink versus Skunk issue, I will look at your source Linda and try to find a few others before I classify it for the agency. However, as long as it does not smell like one of the skunks that roam my neighbor, I will be happy to call it just about anything! :oops:

God Bless,

Scott

That's why common names tend to be useless for critter ID. Is it an A. sandricinos? No. Is A. sandricinos sometimes called skunk? Yes.

But A. peridriodon is sometimes called "pink skunk" around here in my area...so it's confusing.

It's an A. peridriodon (spelling??) for sure though.

Cheers

James

Hello all!

Its too much telling off ascottj for the ghost image, you guyz!

It looks like motion blur to me, and its fine. I think that it could be visible all the way through the top of the fish if there was no white light reflection.

But i would go easy on the sharpening myself.

All the best

yorgos

That's why common names tend to be useless for critter ID.  Is it an A. sandricinos? No.  Is A. sandricinos sometimes called skunk?  Yes.

 

But A. peridriodon is sometimes called "pink skunk" around here in my area...so it's confusing.

I agree; common names are confusing. The place I've noticed A. perideraion called a "pink skunk" is in the aquarium trade. The aquarium trade seems to use very different common names than most of the marine references that I use. Still, A. perideraion is hard enough to remember that I think I'll stick with pink anemonefish! :roll:

And for yorgos, I only mentioned the ghosting to be helpful. I had no idea it would escalate into "telling off" Scott! Eric did say that everyone was being too nice in this critique section.... But apologies if I came across as overly critical... I do think the image is lovely.

I don't think you crossed the line of politeness Linda - you were just givig constructive criticism and I think Scott took it as such.

This is the photo CRITIQUE forum afterall...:-)

Cheers

James

I was just trying to be funny with that comment... sincere apologies to Linda!

And this section has to be a bit critical in order to deserve its name.

All of you scarecrows will have plenty to suggest me once i start posting images(being funny again)

cheers

yorgos

To All,

Any images I post in this particular forum are for the purpose of receiving honest feedback and suggestions, even if the critiques are not overly positive. I have not been offended by anyone in this or any other forum on WetPixel.com.

I am sure most of us could post at least one excellent image for the purpose of receiving praise. However, I value learning and honest opinions more than pats on the back. I believe I can learn something from every photographer, regardless of his/her skill level.

I will post a revised image of the PINK Anemonefish either tonight or tomorrow for further review. See I can learn a little if beaten over the head enough times!

Scott

As promised, below is an updated version of the image with some of your suggestions included. I will need to re-scan the slide as the original has some of the ghosting present. I usually do very little in Photoshop with any of my images, except for levels, contrast and sharpening.

Scott

Hi, Scott,

It is a great image. How could you ever even considering putting it in rejects. If you rejected this image I wish I could see the ones that you did not reject.

Mila.

Thank you Mila. You are too kind.

God Bless,

Scott