To answer some of the questions that were asked many times in the comments:
1) Yes, I was very close, about two feet this time.
2) I used a wide angle lens.
3) I came out of this with all of my limbs intact.
This shot was taken during the same shoot as my yellow ribbon entry in the Wildlife III challenge and a specific account of this photo shoot is detailed there.....
Again, this was taken within a couple of feet from the alligator at almost water level using a wide angle lens. That little adventure is described in the details section of the picture above.
This is a photo that I processed but for some reason never uploaded to my portfolio. Here is the original processed version....
The big difference in post processing between the two versions resulted from a rework of the original by JDubsgirl after she responded to my plea for help in deciding between my final four choices for entries. She choose two of the four and sent me her version of this shot along with her post processing steps. I followed her instructions more or less and after nine variants I finally finished with this one. Thanks very much Katherine.
Thanks also to rox_rox for reviewing my final four and helping me to decide which one to enter.
What score do I expect from this entry? Very tough to say with this unique challenge. I oversaturated the colors like most DPC voters prefer, but there are going to be a ton of better entries. My yellow ribboner scored a 7.8 so I will make a wild guess of 6.8 for this one.
Post Challenge I am disappointed in my choice of post processing even though the version that I submitted was my twelfth. My doubts were confirmed immediately after voting started about not making this image pop more with contrast. I was attempting to make the image seem like it was taken almost at night but with good lighting on the alligator by darkening everything but the gator.
Here is another version that might have scored better...
Considering my faults in post processing, I am surprised that this scored in the 86th percentile among all of the other fantastic images. Thanks to everybody for all of the comments, votes, and favorites. To the person who put it on their wish list: PM me. I don't have any images on DPC Prints yet.
Statistics
Place: 153 out of 1129 Avg (all users): 6.2399 Avg (commenters): 7.3099 Avg (participants): 6.2830 Avg (non-participants): 6.0127 Views since voting: 1347 Views during voting: 709 Votes: 496 Comments: 76 Favorites: 3 (view)
Going through and giving at least the same amount of comments I am receiving on my entry. Love the intimacy of this photo. Up close, personal, and above all it shows your dedication to capturing a sight that most people do not get an opportunity to see. Being from Florida I understand how difficult it must have been to have captured this photo. Alligators are skittish creatures ;)
Im upgrading my initial vote of an 8 to a 10 due to you have captured a shot that I could only have dreamed of getting myself. Good luck.
I looked at the eye for a long time and I felt that the tiniest bump in brightness in that area (subtle, not strong) would benefit the pic. But the longer I looked, the more it grew on me.
I think in the end, it could be brought up just a hair so it is slightly higher than the highlights reflected on the nose.
However, I have no doubt in my mind that it is this way by clear intention by you, and I really can't bring myself to actually call it a 'flaw'.
Wow! That's intense! I'd love to hear the story behind this. It looks like you were up REALLY close with a wide angle lens. Do you still have all of your limbs?? I wish it were just a touch lighter overall but the darkness does set a mood. 9
Voted earlier coming back to leave comments now. This is just about as -close- as I want to get to a florida gator...plus I get to enjoy it from the safety of my computer screen:-) I remember seeing this is the portfolio and admiring the dedication to get the shot but shaking my head at the same time...Love the details I see from the bumpy textures of the skin to the beady eye that just waits for us to get closer before it clamps down for a nice tasty morsel. Love how we can see some the details of the submerged body. The water was really nice and clear as glass for you not only can see more details on this gator but you have some really nice reflections of the sunset sky. Composition is wonderful too with this alligator taking front and center stage so that we really get up close and personal with it.
Wow...are you kidding me? You're a lot braver than I! Looks like you're right there which is just fasinating. The croc or alligator looks wonderful. The textures are so pleasing and really glad you left the background open and didn't go with a tighter crop.
That's an interesting capture and one I'd not be willng to try ;-)
Great DOF and detail, lovely soft tones. I just hope you're using a 200mm lens for this! 9
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
