Since you asked, I will weigh in. Unlike a lot of hogs, I will be blunt.

When you display a photo it has to be very very sharp. Every photo, generally, has to have a subject that is interesting and tells a story in some way or is artistic. I had one judge say that photos are like a movie, where there is a main character and sometimes a supporting actor in the scene. In other instances, as in animals, a picture of an animal is ok, but a very good picture has to be of an animal doing natural activity such as hunting, mating, feeding babies, etc. . Birds in flight have to be crystal clear, eye has to be in focus, feathers have to been readily identifiable. There is a reason it is an entire sub-specialty. I can't remember, but I THINK BillNikon has some bird shots that are excellent in the gallery. IMO, a bird in flight has to be entering the frame, not in the middle...to show movement. (Generally of course.)

The flower is presented as a square with some substantial background issues that take the eye from the flower to the background. That flower is a long beautiful flower that demands something other than square.

The only photo I might show would be the cheetah. And at that, there is no interaction between the person and the cat. In fact, they are ignoring each other. Imagine if they were looking in each others' eyes! Run your eyes around the edges of the photo...is there something distracting? I see a reed or piece of grass right in the middle of the photo...try to get rid of it.

IMO, photography is about the quality of light as well. That is missing in these photos...quality of light. That is why vignetting pics often help the photo...it changes the lighting a bit.

So, my thought is the cheetah, but there needs to be some repairs.

Generally nice.

The birds - cannot see the eyes, perhaps a little dark and way too small for the real estate (in flight) and a little soft.

The B of P is nice but background is distracting.

The cheetah has harsh lighting and, in my opinion is a very nice "snapshot.

The peer shot with the fishing pole is nice but I think the composition could be improved with the placement of the poles.

The Orangutan looks sharp, has detail, is interesting and nice composition.


Good luck!