Canon 300D, Handheld Sigma 170-500 at 400mm, f7.1 1/400 second at ISO 200

Atmosphere

One of the points I make to photo students (and anyone else who will listen) is that high-contrast light is good from bringing out textures and shapes. When the sun is bright and casting sharp shadows, this is when it works better to find subjects where those distinct shadows will provide definition or drama.

In the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge one afternoon, it was an American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) that provided the opportunity for both. Normally I'd also suggest keeping the sun somewhere behind the photographer, and not the subject, but it's easy to see that it can work both ways at times. The gator, which was as active as a log, nevertheless has a marvelous air of menace from this angle.