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My first post, Stoat from UK
Long time lurker but you have got to jump in at some point so here goes.
I first spotted this chap on a very cold and wet morning but had no camera with me so had to return the following morning, my luck was in and he seemed interested in the shutter noise.

Will you stop that bloody clicking !!! by Neil Brimacombe, on Flickr
| Camera |
Canon EOS 7D |
| Exposure |
0.001 sec (1/800) |
| Aperture |
f/6.3 |
| Focal Length |
700 mm |
| ISO Speed |
800 |
| Exposure Bias |
+1/3 EV |
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Wildlife Moderator
Hi Neil, a warm welcome to the Forum and a cracking image to open with. 
Not an easily photographed animal, so congratulations on nailing this. The image quality (IQ), clarity and sharpness all look very good, likewise the PP too. Composing an image like this can be very tricky because the subject does not stay around for long. I like it as presented (albeit with perhaps a hint cropped off the top without clipping the whiskers above), however if you have it, perhaps moving the whole crop to the right so the subject has more space to the RHS might be another option? Always good to add if the image is FF when adding the intro, and never fear about writing too much, it all adds to building the picture behind the image.
Look forward to more.
TFS
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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Wildlife Moderator
Sorry meant to add, you can post bigger which is always an advantage, certainly for the audience.
Max height is 800px, likewise width is 1024px, however if you have any questions just shout. If you haven't read this, it might be worth a quick scan.
http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...m-Time-to-Time
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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Neil,
What a good start, great image of a rarely static animal, very good quality. I would look into cropping possibilities depending on what you have in the first place, more room on the right would certainly be beneficial.
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BPN Member
very nice Neil - welcome here...
looks well exposed and detail is great
I see the reason for Ken's comment on more space on the RHS, but I quite like the 'balance' with the stoat leaning to the right and the leaves on the left as-is.
Looking forward to more!
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Many thanks for the warm welcome guys, the constructive critique is a real bonus on this sight compared to others and the standard of photography is in a different class also.
I will revisit the crop, my intention was to get the stoat slightly off centre and looking down the lens but i guess it's down to taste but i will take your views on board and i appreciate the advise.
Regards
Neil
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Wildlife Moderator
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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Lifetime Member
Hi Neil - Sorry I missed this one last night. A warm welcome to BPN and the Wildlife Forum. You're off to a great start. Nice IQ and good suggestions above for alternate crops.
TFS and keep 'em coming (no more lurking),
Rachel
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BPN Member
Hi Neil,
very much welcome to BPN and the wildlife section, hope you enjoy your time here and make us happy with some nice images to look at and some not so nice images to make honest and helpful critiques
.
Maybe you can pickup some stuff to improve your photography and image editing skills.
As well you should give yourself , critiques and thoughts to other images.
Your first image , just quite a good one to start with.
Iq is quite good , same the colors and sharpness.Maybe a tad more contrast on the subject or a whole mid tone boost, just a bit.A little more room to RHS ,can maybe also improve the image.
So far so good
TFS Andreas
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Lifetime Member
Welcome to BPN and to putting the lurking behind you. :) What an awesome first post. Amazing looking creature and you have lovely details and colors. My favorite part of this capture besides the animal is the fringe of green going down the left side of the frame. It really adds an artistic quality. If you have a little more room on the right, it would probably improve an already nice image.
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Hi Neil, there was no thumbnail but I clicked to see it when I read "Stoat" - rare to see a good shot of this animal! Great expression, and I like the prickly leaves shown. Well exposed too, with nice detail on the whites.
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Publisher
Welcome chap. Sweet start; bigger would be much better. Here's another vote for more room on the right.
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Crop has had a little added to the right as suggested, not sure if it needs more but it does look better to me. Many thanks for the critique.

Stoat edit. by Neil Brimacombe, on Flickr