Bobcat

First, this is a well detailed photo of the Bobcat and its careful movement around the icy water. I believe that is the story it tells, and does so brilliantly. Second, I believe it would be a stronger photo if the nubs and shadows on the left were cropped or cloned out and the photo were cropped just past the second track. This would be a compromise between your wish for leaving the tracks in (2 out of 3 left) and the "Rule" of thirds. The cat would be in the third line and—more importantly—out of dead center. Which is the true usefulness of the rule; i.e., more virtual room for forward motion before the subject leaves the frame. Objectively, it is one bound and out, but subjectively it is more comfortably perceived as sticking around for a bit longer.

Lie Phil, I think the composition would be stronger if you cropped about 20% from the LH side. It would remove distracting dark areas and move the bobcat away from the centre.

Hi Ralph,

I like it as is. The composition shows where the bobcat has come from and is going to. The only thing for me, I would take out the four items poking out on the left side along the frame if anything.

Very nice

Guy Nelson.

Nice environmental portrait, Ralph! I had the privilege of photographing this cat also in YNP, which was amazing. I would crop about 10% off the right and 5% off the left.

I think I agree with Doug's crop suggestion. Congratulations on seeing this cat. It put on quite a show this winter!

Max

Lovely image. I'm envious of the opportunity and the capture. My tastes tend to parallel the suggestions Phil made. The reason for the little stronger crop on the right for me is that once I start cropping I bring that vertical opening in the snow at the water line very close to the edge where it becomes a curiosity. Making the crop Phil suggests trims that edge off just after that gap and removes the influence.

Ralph,
Excellent - the framing works just fine for me as is. My first thought when viewing this image was how cool to get this beautiful Cat in virgin snow, except for his tracks certainly which add so much interest as you noted. I believe that moving the Bobcat out of center and omitting the tracks would be detrimental to the overall story of this image. I do agree with Guy on the branch numbs and shadow to the left needing to be removed.
Well done . . .

Lovely sigthing - though I agree with the suggestions on cropping/composition here made by Doug.

I wish it were mine, never saw a Bobcat in the wild, beautiful photo, plenty of space for the cat to move into, so breaking the rules works very well in this instance. A slight crop from the right is fine, don't crop any of the tracks, the approach line gives this image special appeal and value.

I really like this image as is. You caught the cat midstride in good light in an interesting setting. If you want to crop it further, consider eliminating the sliver on the left where the staubs are sticking into the image. Very nice work. Dave

This is a great catch, with excellent timing. I like the extended front leg to water's edge. I agree with some crop tweaks, as in a sliver from the left and enough from the right to emphasize the diagonal of the body and shadow leading to upper right corner. The angle of his body plus the snow-covered log leading to upper left and the edge lines of the water make for an really effective "X" composition.

Great shot. If it were mine (it would be the best shot I ever took) I would crop the right to the K in your name. The large amount of snow with no real shadow, as on the left, is too much white.

So he was real This is a sweet photo Ralph, I agree with the others about the crop suggestions. Beautifully exposed and nice details.

A real stunner Ralph, can't add much more to what has already been stated. The habitat/composition is a big part of this one, nice light too!