Close, But No Cigar!

Critiques [Translate]

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• FeatherBirdLady (454)
• [2006-11-09 20:20]

Gorgeous shot - nice and clear - the dark background brings its colors out for sure. You did a wonderful job with this!

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• romuszka (1647)
• [2006-11-09 20:52]

Hej Paul!
Jestem oczarowana twoja zabka. To naewno zaczarowana krolewna.
Ostrosc super, kolory tez, no i tlo. Bardzo ladnie ja widziec.
Gratuluje i pozdrawiam - Roma

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• jossim (11952)
• [2006-11-09 21:16]

Sublime photo et magnifique composition.Félicitations pour les belles couleurs et la grande qualité de l'image.

Merci Paul!


Joseph

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• cecilia (4630)
• [2006-11-09 21:17]

This critter is up to something, you can see it in his eyes. :) Well photograph.
Love the colours and compo.
Cecilia

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• Matt-Bird (1926)
• [2006-11-09 21:21]

Hi Paul,
Simply fantastic photo. I can't say much except perfect.
regards
Matt.

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• fthsm (2624)
• [2006-11-09 21:31]

:))
Wow, excellent.

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• arfer (0)
• [2006-11-09 21:46]

Hello Paul

A perfect title for this photo.The composition is awesome.Amazing details and colours.A top rate photograph.TFS

Rob

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• fragman (12689)
• [2006-11-09 22:15]

great macro pic, little cute kermit. TFS Ori

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• Bufo (4241)
• [2006-11-10 1:26]

Hi Paul,
amazing! Just the image, but also to find one while being out at night and be able to take awesome pictures like this. I see you used two flashes? That's a lot of equipment to carry, both is worth the result.
I first thought is was a ghost glass frog to me, I once found in Costa Rica. But I've never heard of this species. Well meant compliments, JAcob

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• jcoowanitwong (11473)
• [2006-11-10 1:27]

Hi Paul,
Colors, sharpness, exposure are great. I like the lime green skin texture and bright big eyes. Very well done and TFS.
JC

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• thor68 (4703)
• [2006-11-10 1:32]

why is the poor frog hugging the leaf - doesn´t he have a wife? *g*
fantastic close-up, paul! :-)
perfectly sharp with wonderful colors, against a great black
bg (no PP?) enhancing the shiny green and with awesome details -
i really like the eyes and the "alien"-fingers.
incredible job & take care, thorsten.

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• takos1 (2575)
• [2006-11-10 1:42]

Stupenda foto, Paul!
Grande macro, ottimi dettagli e colori, bello lo sfondo nero, bravo!

Ciao e grazie.
Franco

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• sunkirana (1139)
• [2006-11-10 1:50]

Hi Paul,

This is a FANTASTIC pic. An ideal background, perfect POV and composition. What esle could one ask for. Great work.

By the way, the notes were interesting ;-).

TFS, Kiran Vasudeva

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• uleko (26095)
• [2006-11-10 2:00]

Hello Paul,
You've really caught him in a terrific pose, absolutely brilliant! Very sharp too and nice colours.
Many thanks, Ulla

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• elefantino (14007)
• [2006-11-10 2:15]

What a shot Paul!!
Really sharp and detailed.
Excellent compo and colors, too.
Andrea

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• dew77 (13131)
• [2006-11-10 2:26]

Hello Paul,
Magnificent capture of this plastic frog:).Well caught,framed and composed.Dark BG,contrast between BG and frog,clear details,expression on face are wonderful.Excellent work!
TFS...:-)

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• fastshot (464)
• [2006-11-10 2:40]

Super shot,excellent expose.TFS

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• SelenE (13166)
• [2006-11-10 3:11]
• [2]

Great shot Paul! Bravo
TFS
Selen

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• gurupawan (1753)
• [2006-11-10 3:17]

Hi paul

A lovely capture with great moment should i say its like having a model do this for u like stuido shot , love this pic of great details and sharpness well cant speak of composition coz its the best one can do.

Tfs

Pawan

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• pablominto (15578)
• [2006-11-10 3:30]

Hello Paul,
Superb composition!
A lovely capture with good close-up qualities, but most of all I appreciate the pose from your little green friend!
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) OK-

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• SunToucher (9394)
• [2006-11-10 3:58]

Hi Paul,
I like the title with this photo. Because I had the same reaction when I saw the thumbnail. Eventhough I think I've seen something like this before, it still makes me loose my words and just admire the beauty of the the photo. Such a beautiful moment captured and of such high quality. Tell me, did you jump high up into the air after you captured it? All tech aspects are just perfect and the dark BG really brings out the beauty.
TFS
Niek

:) later

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• blakitan (5451)
• [2006-11-10 4:55]

Hi Paul,
This is an absolutely amazing shot. Superbly capturing this cute lime green treefrog. Great sharpness and very neat image. Dark BG provides great contrast to this bright colors guy. Its pose of hugging that Aloe succulent leaf is very pleasant to view. Perfect!

Ben Lakitan

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• vanderschelden (28393)
• [2006-11-10 5:28]

Hi Paul,
Amazing shot.
Compo outstanding.
Pose is too crazy...
TFS
Annick

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• RAP (7405)
• [2006-11-10 6:12]

Primorosa captura Paul con gran estética, bellos colores y un POV y composición maravillosos.
Los detalles de la piel del anfibio, además de sus ventosas se perciben perfectamente, gracias a un excelente uso del flash, sin reflejos indeseables y un perfecto fondo oscuro.
Gracias y saludos... Ricardo

Exquisite capture Paul with great aesthetics, beautiful colors and a wonderful POV and composition.
The details of the skin of the amphibian, besides their suckers are perceived perfectly, due to an excellent use of the flash, without undesirable reflections and a dark perfect bottom.
Thank you and regards Ricardo

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• horia (13473)
• [2006-11-10 7:17]

Salut Paul

Another fantastic composition with this magical little from of yours!
The contrast and lighting is simply perfect here!
Also the details on the frog and the plant are great - one can actually notice why it's called punctata :)
Very well saturated colors and excellent POV, too.
Great work!

bravo and TFS

PS: cool title :)

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• mnegrao (665)
• [2006-11-10 7:26]

Magnífico trabalho, Paul, e um resultado que, além de belíssimo, é também engraçado, principalmente após se ler o título.
TFS, Marcio Negrão

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• scottevers7 (12259)
• [2006-11-10 8:35]

Hi Paul,
A superb photo. Perfect in every way. 10 out of 10 on my Olympic judging score card. I'l go on and on if you want, but it's perfect to me. I just wish I had taken it!!
Scott

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• cataclysta (4850)
• [2006-11-10 9:46]

Hi
Wonderful, absolutely perfect photo. Great light, composition, sharpnes..... everything :-)
Best wishes
Krzysztof

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• pvs (11925)
• [2006-11-10 9:49]

Hi Paul,

Another very nice composed frog of your hand,very nice colors,sharpness,detail and BG,well seen and captured,

Paul

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• batu (11586)
• [2006-11-10 14:36]

Hello Paul,
a really beautiful picture of this frog. Very sharp and clear details of the frog as well as of the plant can be seen. Colours, light and the background are superb and result in an excellent composition.
Best wishes, Peter

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• hester (11548)
• [2006-11-10 15:19]

Just superb. Excellent POV, wonderful colours, excellent composition and a great use of flash

TFS

Karan

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• Evelynn (14063)
• [2006-11-10 16:25]

Well, you sure earned your points on this one Paul. It's wonderful in all ways.

TFS
Evelynn : )

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• pilonm (2805)
• [2006-11-10 20:53]

Hello Paul,

Wonderful pictures and great use of the flash (which should not be so easy with that kind of frog (transparent skin)). You did a great composition and the black bg enhances so nicely the amphibian! So, you mastered also perfectly the exposition and got a great POV.
Look at their eyes: did you woke him ;-)

Great shot and TFS,

Michel

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• marhowie (35921)
• [2006-11-10 22:19]

Excellent frog work there Paul, great artistic flair :)
Outstanding light, color, sharpness, and detail..
I think delicate and beautiful says it all ;}
Very nice.

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• ellis49 (29209)
• [2006-11-11 0:42]

Hi Paul,
this is a great picture with very good details and sharpness.
I really like the POV and pose. Good use of the flash and nice colours. It is well seen against the black BG.
Very well done.

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• marmottelolo (14541)
• [2006-11-11 3:37]

bonjour paul
la grenouille amoureuse de sa feuille,cela aurait fait une belle fable de lafontaine!!
bravo
laurent

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• manyee (20104)
• [2006-11-11 20:01]

Hi Paul,
I absolutely love this photo.
Perfect in every way.
A photographer's dream.
I have been admiring a small version of it on your intro page. Thanks for letting us see it in big size. : )

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• livios (16888)
• [2006-11-11 23:34]

Paul, another winner.

Great contrast, sharpness and "pose".

Excellent dark bg and saturation.

As for your question about the toucans, soon I'll send you a reply.

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• TAZ (10926)
• [2006-11-12 1:52]

Hello my friend,
Yes, on the thumbail the frog seems to smoke a cigar ;-) Again, you made an amazing shot of a cute "Grenouille". This portrait is funny, wonderful and technicaly excellent on all parameters.
Bravo master Paul !!!

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• metcher (4241)
• [2006-11-12 11:19]

Hi, Paul.
Wonderful capture! Funny guy and what an superb pose. Excellent exposure and sharpness. And black background is very good here.

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• coasties (27582)
• [2006-11-13 4:03]

Hi Paul

I love your little 'Kermit" He has big eyes and lovely toes! The dark BG enhances this shot and isolates him well. He obviously loves this leave as he is giving it and awesome hug! Top quality shot and simply fantastic ti view. Thank you!

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• Nephrotome2 (1850)
• [2006-11-13 9:02]

I love the way he grabs the plant. He looks in love with it.
Brilliant colors and composition.
TFS

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• reina (1992)
• [2006-11-13 18:38]

Stunning picture. Very Very Very good. This subject is on top on my list!
TFS Reina

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• yllen (623)
• [2006-11-13 19:02]

Hola Paùl:
Simpàtica captura. Perfecta en todos sus detalles. ¡Congratulaciones.
Nelly

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• JORAPAVI (10221)
• [2006-11-16 14:38]

Que gran foto, además de supersimpática, composición, color y nítidez extraordinarias. Saludos

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• ddg (5061)
• [2006-11-16 15:00]

Hi Paul, it's too cute!! This frog loves this Sanseveria leaf!! Great composition and amazing colors too. Congratulations, Didier.

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• PDP (11765)
• [2006-11-16 18:57]

Hi Paul, fantastic shot. Excellent colours and the focus and DOF are spot on, exposure excellent too. Dark BG really kicks it off. Very well done.

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• wuta (2106)
• [2007-01-14 13:53]

Hello Paul , This one are a beautifull shot ,great compositie colours light sharpnes pov and black bg , very good job ,tfs Greetings Teunie .

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• luislourobd (2176)
• [2007-02-09 15:39]

This is a terrific shot, well done Paul!!!

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• Kris (1810)
• [2007-03-01 17:26]
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• a_christoforos (190)
• [2007-03-21 20:20]

Πολύ ωραία και αυτή η φωτογραφία σου. Της πάει πολύ και το μαύρο φόντο. Τέλεια οξύτητα και πολύ ωραία χρώματα. Μου αρέσει επίσης και η στάση του βατράχου.

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• elroyie (6403)
• [2007-04-09 16:40]

Excellent picture with excellent quality, the compo is perfect.

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• jignasi (9640)
• [2007-04-26 17:10]

Increíble_________ HACES UNAS FOTOGRAFÍAS TAN BONITAS QUE NO SE COMO DEFINIR LO QUE ME GUSTA...

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• septama (320)
• [2007-05-01 8:50]

wow it's really crystal clear shot, the frog look like smilling to you, really good pose of this cute amphibian

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• Krima (8)
• [2007-05-07 4:38]

OMG! This is dreamy! I am speachless! I love your work!
My best regards,
Crina

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• zumoduvas (2137)
• [2007-05-24 17:21]

Hello

Excellent picture, very good details and colors.
Great composition, fantastic.

Regards.
Jose Luis.

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• Adam73 (2245)
• [2007-07-07 9:38]

I don't say a photo is perfect very often but this shot is a 10 out of a 10. Everything is perfect from Sharpness and details, composition, Exposure to the black background. I love everything about this shot.

-Adam

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• Hil (4981)
• [2008-01-20 5:36]

Hi Paul,

Wonderful image that I missed first time around, fanatstic pose and POV, razor sharp, love the colours the acids greens look fantastic contrasting with the black BG, suberbly lit too, congratulations.

Hil

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• Janice (17916)
• [2008-01-26 16:00]

UPDATED 27 Jan 2008
Congratulations Paul Bratescu (AnimalExplorer), for winning the Wildlife Digital Photographer of the Year at Digital Photography Magazine with this image "Close, But No Cigar"

BRAVO Paul

12 Nov 2007:
Yes, it is very delicate and beautiful Paul. What a super pose the little fellow has. And that yellow is such a stunning colour. especially against the darker green leaf. Very well captured, he looks so funny, as if he is holding on tightly in case he falls off. Well done
Janice

PS Reading your notes, I too originally thought he was smoking a cigar!!

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• Lars_S_Madsen (184)
• [2008-01-31 11:02]

Beautiful photo of a beautiful animal.
The black background works very well with this subject.

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• Ena (2343)
• [2008-02-06 4:20]

Hi,
Beautiful cute shot!
Nice composition!
Regards
Ena

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• vmukherjee (1170)
• [2008-07-03 3:21]

Very cute shot. The dark bg makes the subjects stand out. Nice pov. You have captured a very nice moment.

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• strahos (594)
• [2008-11-03 8:26]

fantastic shot!
great colours and sharpness, great detail. Perfect pose!
Tfs
Ilias