1st post from a newbie photographer - tiger picture

[chronos]

This picture was taken with a D60 that I bought of my friend when he upgraded his and I've been using it for about 3 weeks now. Which is the some total of all my photography experience. The 1st image is direct from the camera it was getting late in the afternoon and I had the AWB stepped down too much (forgot to change it from when I was in full sun) but I ended up really liking the dark background. The 2nd image is after playing around with it in PS7

Original staight from the camera
http://www.cygenonline.com/images/IMG_1569_orig.jpg

After some basic editing
http://www.cygenonline.com/images/IMG_1569_edit.jpg

So what do you guys think? I like it myself but I am just a touch biased. Any crituque, feedback or pointers would be greatly appriciated.

[boomer1959]

I Like the first one chronos :) I think I would just lighten it up a touch

[Ogrt48]

I like the first the most too.

[Aylwin]

I like the first one too. I'd probably make the tiger brighter though and increase the contrast between the tiger and the background. Perhaps a little color saturation too.

[manncer]

8)

I'd like the first one if it was brighter, and I'd love the second one if the tiger's eye didn't look "dead". I think the composition is masterful. I've never seen a tiger "pose" like this. excellent

manncer

[chronos]

The 1st image is actually the untouched picture from the camera. Here is one that I touched up a bit in photoshop. Please forgive me I'm no wiz at image retouching either.

http://www.cygenonline.com/images/IMG_1569_color.jpg

[Aylwin]

I think you're on the right track. I was thinking of something less aggressive though. I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of trying some retouching of my own to show you what I mean:

http://www.cal-family.org/download/IMG_1569_mod.jpg

I realise the photo's copyright is yours so I'll delete my version soon.

[djtowle]

Nice shot.

I would try to clean the glare out of the eye.

I always try to center the focus point over the eye. Have to be quick the the focus point selection though ...

[JCK]

Aylwin's is where it's at.

[Primevci]

aylwin maybe you should let him kninda know what you did, im also courios myself...