Happy otter

[Milo Burcham]

I have photographed otters for many years now, but never captured anything quite like this. Made this image yesterday on a gray, overcast day. Made me smile!

EOS 5D
600/4 w/ 1.4x
ISO 400

Sea otter
Prince William Sound

[Ed Vatza]

That's a tee shirt/poster pose if ever I've seen one! :D

I'm not sure what it is but the image has a touch of a "faded" look to me. Maybe a bit more contrast would help. Or maybe its just me! Overall nice job.

My otter images come from Central California Coast. It is rare to see them hauled out on land there. I saw my first two on our last visit.

[Harold Davis]

priceless, congrats on the shot. really really cool

[Fabs Forns]

You made my day, Milo :)

I would sharpne a bit more...

[Joel Arrington]

Charming shot, Milo. Any human qualities one can impart to an animal seem to add appeal to photos most of the time. For example, this otter seems to be waving "hi."

[Robert Amoruso]

Very cool and aresting image. Try local contrast enhancement to punch it up.

Local Contrast Enhancement using Unsharp Mask: Amount 20%, Radius 30, Threshold 4
Stronger Local Contrast Enhancement using Unsharp Mask: Amount 20%, Radius 60, Threshold 4

[Steve Canuel]

Can't help but smile when viewing this one. Great pose. Nice detail and color in the face. Is he wearing mittens?
Steve

[Howard Burkert]

What a incredable pose!! Perfect timing on the shutter. Was wondering if you waved back, or did you wave first? Thanks for sharing this image.
Best,
Howard

[Nonda Surratt]

That expression and raised paw, adore that paw! Smile image of the day for me.

[Blake Shadle]

Outstanding capture, Milo! A great moment. I think the image is sharp, it's just the natural fuzzy look of his fur that makes me think it could use a tad more sharpening. Same thing happens when photographing baby ducks :)

[Milo Burcham]

Very cool and aresting image. Try local contrast enhancement to punch it up.

Local Contrast Enhancement using Unsharp Mask: Amount 20%, Radius 30, Threshold 4


Thanks for the tip, Robert! I have never used unsharp mask that way. I tried it and it really did give the image some snap. I'll repost tonight if I get the chance.

[Blake Shadle]

Very cool and aresting image. Try local contrast enhancement to punch it up.

Local Contrast Enhancement using Unsharp Mask: Amount 20%, Radius 30, Threshold 4
Stronger Local Contrast Enhancement using Unsharp Mask: Amount 20%, Radius 60, Threshold 4

I ran the 20%,30,4 USM on it and it looks great. Good suggestion, Robert.

[D. Robert Franz]

Priceless pose here Milo.. Smile heck I may have turned a back flip.... Nature's Best Animal Antics catagory a sure winner..... I recently learned of the local contrast enhancement though I heard it called the 20-50 procedure 20% USM & 50 radius so there is a range to play with depending on the image. I wish you had a bit more room left of the paw, maybe you can add a bit of canvas...

[Jason Ambler]

Milo,

Hillarious, what a knee slapper!! I just kept coming back to this photograph so I had to post a reply. Captures like this that mimic a human attribute in an animals action really draw the viewer in and gives the viewer a sense of connection to the photograph. Thanks for the laugh :D

Jason

[Georgina Salup]

Cute pose! . In my opinion the face, a little bit soft.I would have sharpen or do "high-pass filter"/ "overlay blending mode " and play with the opacity in his face. Just a suggestion, as the shot is really adorable.

[Mike Tracy]

Nicely exposed considering the blacks and whites you had to contend with. In agreement about a little more room on the left. In spite of that there is not anyone here who wouldn't love to lay claim to this as his own.

[John Zeiss]

Right back at you, dude.

[Jim Poor]

My wife says that one is "Otterly Cute!"

[DanWalters]

Too cute! LOve the detail in the otter and of course the action.