What is a blower bulb? Is it much more effective than simply trying to blow the dust out myself?

Yes. You shouldn't ever try to blow that stuff off with your mouth (assuming that's what you are implying). Your saliva and other crud from your mouth would get on your sensor and the moisture from your breath could condense on your sensor if the sensor is cold. That could be disasterous.

Here's a pic of a "Rocket Blower" bulb I took off the B&H photo website. Anybody who owns a DSLR should own one of these.



You should be able to find a similar device at any local camera store. I think best buy even carries something similar. But you should never use any canned air to clean a sensor (or a lens).

As for the composition, I was under the impression that some space should be left in the direction that the animal is facing/looking toward?

Yes, but only enough to give the animal somewhere to focus. We generally don't want our audience to wonder "what's the critter looking at?".

Erik's cave salamander photo works, because even though there isn't room in front of the animal, it is clear the animal is looking forward at us.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

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