My first time shooting animals.

Hello all, my first time posting in this forum.
I finally got to take my epuipment and my daughter to the zoo. We had a blast and daddy got TONS of photos. Filled up all three of my new 8gig Extreme IVs

I have too many photos to go through. I just started editing some of them and thought I would throw one or two on here to get C&C on my first real outing with all my new gear and some of my first real PP.

This first shot was actually shot through a smudged up, dirty glass. It turned out ok I feel. I have a 70 shot series of this cat and this isn't the best one of the cat it's self but I just like the over all seen composure.

Also I am currently trying to calibrate my monitor so please feel free, if your monitor is calibrated please give feedback on the images.

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first one is great, second look out of focus to me, could be wrong

Second one was tack sharp, that's the effect I was going for, a dream like scene.
I may have to redo it though if all it just looks is OOF.

I agree first one great second just look out of focus

I agree with everyone. Love the first one, is that an ocelot? I am not sure, I thought ocelots were finer in bone, what ever it is, it's a magnificent cat and a wonderful photo. If I took that I'd be pretty thrilled with it.

Whippeticious wrote in post #8006538
I agree with everyone. Love the first one, is that an ocelot? I am not sure, I thought ocelots were finer in bone, what ever it is, it's a magnificent cat and a wonderful photo. If I took that I'd be pretty thrilled with it.

It's a clouded leopard I think.

To the OP: Great first shot. As for the second, I also wondered why you had gone to the bother of doing something with a shot that out of focus, then I saw the comment about 'dreamy image'. Sorry, it just looks oof to me.

I think your first one is amazing. The second one, I'm not so-much digging the faux-shadow combined with the OOF looking "dream" you're going for.

WOW thanks for the C&C guys, I do again reiterate, the second one was as sharp if not sharper then the first one I was just trying something new in PS, going for a dreamy look. Guess i am back to the drawing board on that one.
Seriously though, thanks guys.

I took like 1500 photos that day and oddly enough I had several great shots turn out.
Would anyone want to see more of them or more of the first cat even?

yea would def like to see more. i really love the first one, i agree with everyone else about the 2nd one, you should post that one predream'd

First great, second bad ... my calibrated monitor looks too green on both.

I like the first one and don't like the second one at all.

les_au wrote in post #7996127
first one is great, second look out of focus to me, could be wrong

I did crank the sat just a bit, so greens look really green on my monitor too so thanks for confirming that I see it the way others see it.

Here is the original one I think, I have about 40 + shot in that series.

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BTW, that is straight of the camera there.

I prefer the in focus one as well, perhaps you could use a mask and just keep the main part of the body and head in focus to keep your "dreamy" look in tact, but still be able to see the intended subjects.

the elephants need to be tighter cropped. the composition isn't right or something. if i'm shooting at the zoo, i try to go for eyes/face/mouth. not their rear ends.