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Sea Otter
I need some help with this image. I took this in June in Seward, AK, with about 250 others of this particular otter and a pair that were playing. I chose this particular one because I like the hand-holding, tail up pose he's giving. It's about a 40% crop, and I'm struggling with the best way to go about cropping this.
Specs: D300, Sigma 500mm, 1/1000 @ f/4.5, ISO 280. I did some minor adjustments in Nik; tonal contrast and detail extractor. I also cloned out a few small shiny spots on the tail where the sun was reflecting.
The link for the original is here: http://josephcala.zenfolio.com/img/s...87712625-5.jpg
Cropped and edited version:

Thoughts? Thanks!
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BPN Member
Hi Joseph, I would re crop this to move the subject out of the center of the image more towards the lower left and give him a tad more space. Also would go with some selective sharpening on the face. I really do like the pose and the image has lots of character.
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Lifetime Member
Joseph - this is a tough one because the otter is looking toward you (which is good) but almost appears to be going in the opposite direction. I took your original from Zenfolio into PS and tried a few different crops (basically with the otter off-center and more toward each corner). This was the one I liked best. I also did a bit more sharpening. Let me know what you think.
TFS,
Rachel
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Wildlife Moderator
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Thanks all. Rachel and Steve, I'm torn on which one I like better! I can definitely see how darkening up the background a bit makes the otter 'pop' more than before. You've both given me some more things to think about!
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BPN Member
Love the pose here! I like both reposts but Steve's edges Rachel's (only just, Rachel)...
Getting any shot of an otter that doens't just show a snout and eyes protruding from the water is commendable in my book!
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Hi Joseph,
A wonderful subject captured in a beautiful pose. With regards to the two reposts, I prefer Rachel's above Steve's, just a matter of preference I suppose.
TFS and best wishes,
Mark.
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Lifetime Member
Both reposts work, but I have to go with Rachel's since I find Steve's a tad too centered. Nice behavior captured here. Could not have been an easy shoot.
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BPN Viewer
Rachel's crop and Steve's work on the water improves an already nice image of this species.