My first critique! Orangutan

[ajsuk]

Hello community!

This is my first critique, and indeed very first post. Hopefully I've included everything required.

Here is one of my favourite shots of an Orangutan taken during a visit to the Smithsonian National Zoo in DC this past summer.



NIKON D40
Focal Length: 200m
Exposure: 1/160
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 800 (Got no idea why I had this set so high, it was a bright sunny day)
Flash: None

I was pretty happy with it, but that doesn't necessarily mean much to my untrained eye. I'm really interested to hear what you think!

Many thanks in advance,

Andy

[Sterling]

Welcome to DPS!

I like your shot. It's tough sometimes to get zoo shots with walls, wires, and fences in there. There are lots of options for cropping here. You may want to experiment.

ISO: 800 (Got no idea why I had this set so high, it was a bright sunny day)

It's a good thing you had it set there. ISO 200 would've required a 1/40 shutter speed which would almost certainly produce a blurry shot at 200mm.

[ajsuk]

Originally Posted by Sterling

It's tough sometimes to get zoo shots with walls, wires, and fences in there.

Ain't that the truth! It frustrates me to no end. Having said that, the Smithsonian was a delight, often using more natural barriers to enclose the animals. Highly recommended!

Originally Posted by Sterling

It's a good thing you had it set there. ISO 200 would've required a 1/40 shutter speed which would almost certainly produce a blurry shot at 200mm.

You may be right there! Perhaps I'm just forgetting.

Thank you for your comments.

[JeanneLou]

I like how he is peeking out of the grass. It makes me smile .

[Grayham]

Hi.... you've taken a great shot here.... good clarity and lighting. The previous posters have given you sound advice, so play around with the cropping and repost your final image.

Might I suggest you crop a little off the top and some from the left.... but leave a little space for him to look into.

A strong image... Well done and thanks for posting.
regards

[ajsuk]

Thanks again!

Here's my shot at cropping. =)

[mvalentin]

Originally Posted by ajsuk

Here's my shot at cropping. =)

Now that's a better crop! Good use of ROT's!