Composition Critique

[tj.standley]

I did intend on the open space in front of this baby Sea Lion, and I do generally like his shot, but something about the flipper being so close to the corner of the image distracts me. Would love to here opinions on this composition.

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[DRwyoming]

I like the composition. Sure you might have given the little guy some more breathing room but I don't find the flipper close to the frame disturbing at all and like all the sandy detail on the flippers and hind quarters. I think this works really well.

For a background that bright I might give the whole image a bit more vignette (edge burn) just to contain the brights a bit.

 

[Kathy G]

Like Dave said. I think the photo is great!

 

[tj.standley]

Thanks! Interesting suggestion on the vignette. I'm playing with that a bit right now and it also is taking attention away from the flipper... will experiment a bit more.

 

[gordon_g]

I think it works as is, but you could always add a little more sand on the bottom of the image and see if you like it more.

 

[Callie]

Lovely seal cub. Flip the image 180 degrees and see what it does to the impact!

 

[Promapper]

Good shot and agree with Gordon's idea to add sand.

 

[KCPhoto]

I agree as well. Just a bit more sand with content-aware fill. Great snap as is though.

 

[tj.standley]

Thanks all for the feedback. I created a couple more versions: one with the additional sand, and one with vignette. I definitely like the additional sand (I even grew the body a bit more).

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[Kathy G]

I like both. Yes, the extra sand looks better.

 

[acnomad]

I like the addition of the sand in foreground. As an alternative to the vignette perhaps it would look nice if you used a grad to darken the bottom of the frame and left the bright background at the top exposed as it was shot.

 

[gordon_g]

I think I like #1 more... of the reedits. While the bright background does draw the eye, the seals eye draws me right in once I get there.

 

[Deleted member 115]

I like the original best

 

[bajadreamer]

#2 re-edit for me.

 

[MorganP]

I like the bottom one.

 

[Stevie n]

I think this image is super , there is usually a DARN ( Did you like that) good reason why the subject is a head shot or 1/3 in the circumstance the animal is nicely focused in a 16x9 with somewhere to go A great neutral background." Good Job" as our American cousins would say. Sorry my excuse is I'm English and I'm in a silly mood tonight. Sorry!