while in africa i saw many species of animals and took photographs of them. when i returned i first posted this hyena. i did it because i looked at the permanent galleries and saw no hyenas. it got an awful score. i'm wondering if it needs to be lighter or what. i know that it's not the most beautiful animal on the block but it is species that is out there. we have 50 shots of squirrels in the perms and it seems like we should add some new kinds of animals. i'd be happy to rework the photograph (actually, i already have) but if it's not even looked at because viewers aren't fond of hyenas (i'm certainly not) then i'd be wasting my time. please tell me what you think. i have lots of photos of animals that aren't in the galleries and am somewhat reluctant to post them if they aren't cute or statuesque. some are less pretty than the hyena. should i just forget about them and stick to the safe things like flowers, herons, squirrels, deer, etc
technically speaking, I don't see much wrong with the photo at all. Artistically speaking, I don't see much either. It says (to me) "ho hum... here's a hyena. plop. there ya go". perhaps if you'd caught this nasty, but incredibly fast and intelligent animal doing something besides just standing there,it might've been met with a better reaction(?)
Firstly, I wouldnt have said 48-50 was an awful score in the ratings here its average to good. As for the photo itself, I think various aspects may have lessened its appeal. The focus is a little patchy and the light and colour are also on the flat side. Lastly, aside from the subject matter itself, there is very little interest in the shot dynamically; the composition and apparent lack of animation in the animal itself certainly arent helping.
thanks, rob. i have a few others i might try. i call one of them bone crusher. my question is still should we take a risk and post something that isn't particularly attractive or should we stay with "safe" things?
I'd think a whole lot less of any photographer who only posted "safe" things. It would tell me they were more interested in popular opinion, than the integrity of their work. 'nuff said?
OK guys, i just posted the other one "bone crusher". i added some contrast and hope you'll find this one more "interesting". now, waddaya think? thanks, jen