need some ideas

[kaiser]

ok I can't figure it out I took this picture some time ago and it looked good at the time even though it is over sharpend and badly croped and at a bad angle at least that is what I have been told but I put it in the photo contest on the cichlid forum when I shouldn't have. I was told it is for very nice looking fish I realy think this guy is awsome any ideas maybe I should not take any more pictures of him until he has his complete color.
This is the first picture of him this is the picture I put in the contest
http://fff.corydorasworld.com/gallery/albums/kaiser/Picture_233.jpg
Ok this is the second picture I want ot post in the next one but I need some ideas on what I can do. I was told that this is not a bad picture but not good enough for the contest.
http://fff.corydorasworld.com/gallery/albums/kaiser/Picture_332.jpg
I did some work on the second one here is the original photo any ideas on what I should do.
http://fff.corydorasworld.com/gallery/albums/kaiser/Copy_of_Picture_333.jpg

[ccplim]

Hi kaiser, IMHO, I do feel that your first picture is good. The only complains I have is only the shadow, the leaves at the lower left hand corner, and a real tight cropping at the bottom.

As for the second picture, you really did a very good job in cleaning up [smilie=c: The only down side is that the head is out of focus.

[benny]

Try investing in a small slave flash. Works wonder when you put about your tank when shooting.

Also, work on controlling the shadow. Try shooting the subject with the background further away is a good technique to consider.

As for manually putting the whole black background in, certain forums may not take to it kindly and will criticise such manipulations in a very negative manner. In most cases, it will not look too natural if you can see harsh lighting on the subject against a jet black background.

Cheers,