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Marine Iguanas
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Marine Iguanas

by Max Waugh

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 2, 2015127 views10 comments
I'm looking forward to getting some opinions on this one.  I had a hard time deciding between the color version and the black and white (below), and thus far the feedback I've received from others has been equally mixed.  The monochrome certainly has a bit more mood to it thanks to those clouds, but I don't mind the subtle colors and more accurate portrayal in this version.

Thoughts?

Canon 7DII
Canon 24-70mm
ISO 400
1/400th
f/11

Max

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on December 2, 2015 at 6:34 PM
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by Katie Jones on December 2, 2015 at 7:08 PM
Hi Max,

I like both images, but the black and white is more interesting to me. It seems to accentuate the rough skin of the iguana (really great texture!) and brings out more details in the clouds. In the color version, the sky is a bit flat, however I do like the shock of green foliage in the background. Very nice POV! Overall a wonderful composition.
Registered on November 17, 2015, 17 Posts, 91 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 3, 2015 at 12:56 AM
Max,
I am firmly a colour person, I had enough of the limitations of B & W in my youth!
However in this case I think the B& W conversion has more impact, digital has so many advantages over film!
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Marella on December 3, 2015 at 10:20 AM
I'm in for the color version, Max. I think the subtle color adds dimension to the photo. Great shooting angle. Nicely done!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments
Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on December 3, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Max,

first of all I like the low angle of photography which let this animals appear bigger as they are. You also managed the soft light conditions very well especially considering the clouds.

The soft light delivered low contrast in the bodies of the iguanas and because of that I find that they do not suite very well for B & W, since that is something this type of phtography needs.

That is why I prefer the color version, altough I would wish to have a bit better eye contact to the iguana.
Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 3, 2015 at 11:26 AM
I am honestly evenly divided.  I think the choices offer two differing feelings.  The B&W makes the iguana feel more like a sci-fi alien monster, which is nicely enhanced by the unusual triangular shape he offers in the pose. Given that pose, I think for the B&W I would ideally prefer to not have the background individual.  However, the color version feels more true to life and the background iguana adds to the explanation of place where colonies of such creatures exist.  Fine capture.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 3, 2015 at 1:26 PM
Max: both work for me. The BW version is more striking because of the contrast in the clouds as well as the detail more easily seen in the skin. The perspective really adds to the photo. Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 4, 2015 at 6:27 AM
Hi Max, for me I would prefer the colour version, although I see what Lon is saying, a bit 'Ray Harryhausen'' perhaps? However with the image I would have liked a wider aspect and the crop not to truncated the second Iguana, especially as you hasd the 24-70, also a tad more at the foot. I like the shooting angle and the slight jaunty angle of the FG Iguana. These are always good guys to photograph, until they start to sneeze to clear the salt.

TFS
Steve
Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments
Comment posted by William Bickle on December 4, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Hello Max....really like your perspective here ! Detailed feet and claws , really make this for me!

Bill
www.Billbickle.com
Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 4, 2015 at 4:47 PM
Hi Max, in this case I much prefer the color versiondevil
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments