Submitter's name:	Bill Barber
Gear used:	OM 2S, Zuiko 300mm f4.5, Bogen 3221 tripod with 3030 head
Film used:	Kodak Gold 200
Subject information:	I went to a huge state park which is about 30 minutes from my home with the intention of getting some "water" pictures and was quite successful. There were several from which to pick, any of which were pretty good by my standards. This one of the alligator was my choice. I like the way it is reflected in the water and how it almost jumps out of the picture at you.
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Comment left by: Olaf Greve (no e-mail specified)

I like the look on the gator's face, well aware of your presence and probably contemplating either an escape path or the best way to eat you, in case you come too close. ;)

Comment left by: The photographer (no e-mail specified)

One piece of technical information left out is that this is my first attempt at scanning a negative using Silverfast, going to Photoshop Elements and then posting it to the TOPE. The results are a little weak as the 'gator is in focus and there are actually some ripples in the water. Oh well, things will improve.

Comment left by: Mickey Trageser (no e-mail specified)

The cold color balance on the gator really makes it seem unearthly in the shadowed water. Really draws the eye to the gator and keeps it there.

Comment left by: Barry Bean (bbbean@beancotton.com)

Nice - I like this a lot. The only thing that would improve it woud be if the gator were facing the other way. Any chance you could get him to pose again?

Comment left by: Eric Pederson (epederso@darkwing.uoregon.edu)

The reflections onthe water are lovely and offset the alligator's grayness and sharpness. If you do have the alligator pose again for you, you might as well put something interesting in its mouth while you are at it! :-)

Comment left by: Marc Lawrence (mlawrence@cfp.com.au)

I think you needed to move closer, and a bit to the left, maybe with your waders on (hee hee). There looks to be a lot of empty area to the left, but, I suspect from your comments that that area has some nice "ripple" going. I like the blurry bit of grass that's coming in from the right, which contrasts against the sharpness of the lizard. Without it, I think the photo would be emptier (well, duh! :-) ). As we say, croc's/'gators/spiders/snakes are perfectly safe unless they bite you. ;-) Nice photo, lest I had not made my feelings obvious.

Comment left by: Brian Swale (bj@caverock.net.nz)

Beautiful. I like the composition and the combination of colours. The reflection of the head comes as a surprise. I suppose to those in the know it could also be an image representing alert menace; but only if you are in there to drain the swamp! You were clearly being carefully watched. You say "almost jumps out at you?" The ripples on the water indicate it was not keeping still. I guess that's where the 300mm comes into its own.

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