The Shot Chat | III. The Introverted Barracuda

Let The Shot Chat Begin…

Shane Gross: Is the group ready to demolish one of my images? Here is one I can't make up my mind about…

Henley Spiers: Can't help myself, I'm diving in with a first impression...This image reminds me of this shot by Alex Mustard, except I find yours better. Alex uses that shot in workshops to showcase finding beauty and photographic opportunity in unlikely and overlooked locations (his was taken under the dive shop pier).

Shane Gross: I hadn't seen that shot before. Quite like it!

Henley Spiers: I find your image beautiful, it really works for me. The star of the show is not actually the barracuda in yours, but the trees dipping beneath the surface. The barracuda serves as a perfect counter balance to the composition.

Now, the thing is, this is understated beauty, and we will live in a world with short attention spans and content consumed on small screens. It is harder for introverted shots such as this to stand out. I'd be interested to hear what you hope this image could achieve? From a competition standpoint, I think it could have a chance in a nature photography contest where the category was something broad such as natural environments.

Shane Gross: That's part of my issue with it. Where does it belong? It's not going to sell as a stock image, I think it might be too dark and scary in tone for prints, it doesn't have that wow factor for most competitions...but I still think it has merit. So, good to hear your thoughts.

Grant Thomas: The more I look at your image Shane the more I like it. At first it seems simple but there are some really powerful elements that come together to make it quite striking. I like the way the tree branches create a nice diagonal leading line through the image from dark to light, which almost matches the diagonal line of the shadow in the lower half. I feel my eyes always wandering from left to right, which is perfect as i'm then drawn to the the barracuda silhouette. I do think this image could do well in a nature photo competition in a category such as 'Animals in their environment’.

Jade Hoksbergen: The image works for me, it is one that is complex with many elements to absorb and thus, requires taking a pause in order to appreciate it. Like Henley says, in the instant-gratification generation of today, this image may well be overlooked. But, the more you look at it, the more you like it and discover it. What works for me is the gradient of light we see in this image. The vignette and framing created by the intricate branches and its reflection means that our attention is then redirected to the lighter portion of the photo where we then see the silhouette of the pike. These elements together create a scene that is at once dramatic, at once peaceful.

Anita Kainrath: I like the balance between the dark V-shape on the left and the barracuda on the right. The colours work - great contrast. I'm not sure if it would look even better if had been a flat calm day or if the  ripples on the surface add something. I think this image could be used for mangrove conservation purposes, or eco-tourism. It's beautiful to look at. So calm and peaceful. I could also see it as a print in someone's home.

Henley Spiers:I think it has a chance in certain competitions, but it sits within the 'worth a shot' category, rather than 'must enter this' category. I guess it will depend on which category, competition, and judges it finds itself in (as well as how many other worthy entries you have, and whether it makes your personal shortlist). The other sphere I see it is as a strong complimentary shot within a storytelling portfolio about this environment.

Shane Gross: Thanks for the input everyone! A bit more background on the image: it is a juvenile barracuda in a mangrove creek. They will sit still in the shadow and wait for small baitfish to pass within striking distance. I agree it could be useful within a story on mangroves or something like that. Thanks for the encouragement on "animals in their enviro" category in comps.