pygmy seahorse

Hi all,

and

Which do you think is better and why? Construvtive comments much appreciated

Cheers

J

The first one. The pygmy is beautifully focused with good views of the face in both images. The arrangement of the soft coral in the background of the 1st makes the pygmy the center of attention. In the 2nd the 2 coral branches pointing off to the top right draws your attention away from the seahorse. Cropping the 2nd would help tighten the image.

Leslie

I like the first one ... however the negative space at the top dominates the image IMO. Also when compared to the second image, the first doesn't have the same feeling of eye-contact

Hard call, both nice images

Maybe the first as a species shot, and the second (cropped) for the wow ...

Number 1 - fabulous! I just finished reading Realm of the Pygmy Seahorse and number 1 is better than Constantos' pics!

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the comments, i personally prefered the second one, mainly due to the pose and being at "eye level" with the pygmy.

There is a dilemma though, all these were taken with a C5050 with stacked INON UCL 165 lenses. and they are already cropped.

Will try another crop on the first photo so see if it'll be better.

Thanks for the constructive comments.

I'd be curious to see the photos pre - crop, particularly the second one ...

Here it is.

and

I think both are very nice, especially because the polyps are still out on the fan. While Muricella fans often have their polyps in naturally, they will certainly pull them in if they are handled by over eager photographers and/or their diveguides.

Seeing the polyps out is a good indicator that you weren't stressing the pygmies too much. Plus the fans look much prettier this way.

I prefer the seond image. I like the off-centre positionning of the subject. Plus the way the selective focus draws your eye to it.

Alex