Pick of the Week: Fauna Gallery
Fauna gallery subject matter ranges from tiny to immense, from cute and cuddly to awe inspiring to potentially dangerous. These four postings showcase that diversity and share beauty through technical mastery and compositional skill. But, they also rise to a higher level by doing more than showing us wildlife. They show wildlife behavior: doing something, whether aggressive display, parent-young interaction, animal affection or the drama of life vs. death. Even if you did not miss these postings the first time around, they deserve a second look!
Kiran Khanzone’s Hippo Display
Kiran ventured into the realm of danger by lying on the sand near the water’s edge to acquire a super-low perspective, resulting in this dramatic capture of hippo display. The detail and subtle lighting he achieved is stunning.
Marco Poggioni’s Games Between Bears
Marco has been treating us to some outstanding images. This week he submitted this remarkable interaction of play fighting between a sow brown bear and her cub. The image has trademark claws and teeth but includes a sense of tenderness. This classical composition against a color-layered background reminded me of an impressionist painting!
Alessandra & Rocco’s Hyla Meridonalis
Alessandra & Rocco aptly described these Mediterranean tree frogs as “This nice couple .... was so in love.” I was mesmerized by their mood and how wonderfully the light conveyed color and texture and how the angled reeds provided just the right amount of dynamic tension.
Luke Ormand’s The Struggle
Not only is Luke an active and enthusiastic NPN participant, he was able to respond to the news-making beaching of a young Humpback Whale on Long Island by coming away with this spectacular image. If you haven’t already, you owe it to yourself to read Luke’s accounting. Then study this finely crafted capture, perfectly composed against the rolling surf of the Atlantic. I think you will agree, Luke Ormand earned the “Fauna Gallery Pick of the Week.” Congratulations to Luke!
Thank you to ALL fauna gallery images posters, and especially those who took the time to share their insights by commenting on the images of others!
Posted by Richard Ditch on April 13, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Congrats to Luke, and to Kiran, Marco, and Alessandra & Rocco.
Thanks, Lon, for the extended commentary.
Posted by Luke Ormand on April 13, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Thanks for the commentary and the pick. This is my first Fauna selection and I'm really amazed as there are and were so many incredible photos submitted. It's a real accomplishment that couldn't have been done without NPN, the moderators and my new lens which was being used for the first time!
Interestingly, the LAST time I purchased a new lens from an NPN member on the first real test drive, I photographed the Gyrfalcon which was picked in the Avian forum. Hmm... guess I need to keep buying lenses from NPNers!
- Luke
Posted by Luke Ormand on April 13, 2010 at 11:50 AM
I just checked National Geographic's "Daily Dozen" contest and saw my image posted there too! (Second selected image in 4 selections, not a bad percentage) This is turning out to be a fine day.
Discussion
3 repliesFauna gallery subject matter ranges from tiny to immense, from cute and cuddly to awe inspiring to potentially dangerous. These four postings showcase that diversity and share beauty through technical mastery and compositional skill. But, they also rise to a higher level by doing more than showing us wildlife. They show wildlife behavior: doing something, whether aggressive display, parent-young interaction, animal affection or the drama of life vs. death. Even if you did not miss these postings the first time around, they deserve a second look!
Kiran Khanzone’s Hippo Display
Kiran ventured into the realm of danger by lying on the sand near the water’s edge to acquire a super-low perspective, resulting in this dramatic capture of hippo display. The detail and subtle lighting he achieved is stunning.
Marco Poggioni’s Games Between Bears
Marco has been treating us to some outstanding images. This week he submitted this remarkable interaction of play fighting between a sow brown bear and her cub. The image has trademark claws and teeth but includes a sense of tenderness. This classical composition against a color-layered background reminded me of an impressionist painting!
Alessandra & Rocco’s Hyla Meridonalis
Alessandra & Rocco aptly described these Mediterranean tree frogs as “This nice couple .... was so in love.” I was mesmerized by their mood and how wonderfully the light conveyed color and texture and how the angled reeds provided just the right amount of dynamic tension.
Luke Ormand’s The Struggle
Not only is Luke an active and enthusiastic NPN participant, he was able to respond to the news-making beaching of a young Humpback Whale on Long Island by coming away with this spectacular image. If you haven’t already, you owe it to yourself to read Luke’s accounting. Then study this finely crafted capture, perfectly composed against the rolling surf of the Atlantic. I think you will agree, Luke Ormand earned the “Fauna Gallery Pick of the Week.” Congratulations to Luke!
Thank you to ALL fauna gallery images posters, and especially those who took the time to share their insights by commenting on the images of others!
Thanks, Lon, for the extended commentary.
Interestingly, the LAST time I purchased a new lens from an NPN member on the first real test drive, I photographed the Gyrfalcon which was picked in the Avian forum. Hmm... guess I need to keep buying lenses from NPNers!
- Luke