Tree frog

[emattice]

This is a photo of a tree frog I saw hanging out on a giant leaf in Costa Rica. I'd like feedback on the composition mainly as I'm trying to improve focal points and depth of field. I bumped up the saturation a bit in Photoshop but otherwise there's very little post processing.


DSC_0020.2 by emattice, on Flickr

EXIF
Nikon D40x
ISO 400
F5.6
Exposure 1/80
Focal Lenght 175mm

[Jim Poor]

That leaf in front of the eye kills it. Compositionally, if you had moved a bit to camera left, you would have gotten more of the face, but probably still not enough to make up for the leaf.

On the saturation bump. I'd say you went overboard on the main leaf. Perhaps a radial gradient mask to keep the boost on the frog and fade it out to the edges.

[Optikal iLLusion]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

That leaf in front of the eye kills it. Compositionally, if you had moved a bit to camera left, you would have gotten more of the face, but probably still not enough to make up for the leaf.

I'll have to agree with Jim here. If the leaf wasn't there it would be pretty dang good. I like the dof though.

[KurtM]

Agreed here too. I see getting a good sharp, well lit, eye or eyes as a first requirement in my critter photos, instantly trash any that fail it.

I think saturation is okay, but like Jim's suggestion of radial gradient mask.

[emattice]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

That leaf in front of the eye kills it. Compositionally, if you had moved a bit to camera left, you would have gotten more of the face, but probably still not enough to make up for the leaf.

On the saturation bump. I'd say you went overboard on the main leaf. Perhaps a radial gradient mask to keep the boost on the frog and fade it out to the edges.

Thanks for the feedback. You're right that the leaf is distracting but given the situation there was no way around it other than reaching in there and pulling it out. I didn't want to scare the little guy away. As for the saturation, I appreciate the tip. I've not done much post processing so I tend to have a heavy hand. I'll keep that in mind going forward.

I also couldn't help but notice your location is Northern Virginia. I grew up in Northern Virginia myself but am living in Germany now.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by emattice

Thanks for the feedback. You're right that the leaf is distracting but given the situation there was no way around it other than reaching in there and pulling it out. I didn't want to scare the little guy away. As for the saturation, I appreciate the tip. I've not done much post processing so I tend to have a heavy hand. I'll keep that in mind going forward.

I also couldn't help but notice your location is Northern Virginia. I grew up in Northern Virginia myself but am living in Germany now.

Oh how I miss Germany.