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Thread: Curious Otter

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    Default Curious Otter

    I had this otter swimming around me for a few seconds. It was so close to my hidrohide, that this was the only picture that I could partially focus on. Once I started taking some backward steps to get focus it in proper focus distance, the otter disappeared under water.

    Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)
    EXIF: Nikon D4 | 700mm | f5.6 | 1/500s | ISO2000
    (the pic was taken during the beginning of the sunrise and I was facing the sun)

    Name:  _TC40117_web.jpg
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Size:  84.7 KB

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Tiago, nice to see a different species posted here, thanks.

    I like the lowish POV, you almost have the impression you are in the water with the otter, I also like the highlight of the bow wave, as it provides a nice sense of moving towards you.

    Based on the fact this is shot with the D4 I would have expected a better IQ based on ISO2000, likewise I'm surprised about the vignetting in the corners of the image any thoughts on why? It's very frustrating when animals appear so close, so even back tracking as you did, it appears you still had a way to go to get the eyes sharp too, but an excellent effort in achieving what you did in the time and pressure of getting some frames in the bag.

    I might add a little CCW rotation to the image, plus some NR to the overall FG/BKG. Balance out some of the colours more prevalent in the OP, adding a little darker exposure to the FG I think creates a bit more depth to the image (personal taste). Hope you can better images over time, as otters a great and full of character.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Thanks a lot for your complete feedback Steve! There's some really nice suggestions that I'm going to try asap

    I was really in the water, with a diving suit inside my hidrohide and the Otter came to inspect the hidrohide, without knowing that I was inside. She came from the bushes and disappeared very quickly, I had 2 seconds at most and this photo was when she got out of the bushes, the only time when I was able to partially focus her.

    Concerning the vignetting I don't know the answer, probably I enhanced it with my PP.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Tiago, based on the additional feedback, there is no denying, you did well in the timeframe. Have you seen any evidence before they are there? Is this a big crop, if it's a crop, any more room to the right, if so might straighten then go for a central placement of the otter with perhaps 2/3s space below & a 1/3 above????

    Great to hear about your hidrohide, the closest I ever got was with chest waders shooting nesting Grebes, but not ideal, I much prefer the hide idea. A friend used a tractor inner tube for photographing Beavers until the Beaver came up and delivered a huge tail splash!!!

    Don't forget to chime in on other threads too, it's a great way to learn and share thoughts.

    Steve

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    Great shooting angle and I love the light and colours of the water. To me it looks like it could use a CCW rotation. Unfortunately the DOF has let you down here with only the nose being in focus. I also noticed it is a tiny file 87kb. You can save for web up to 400kb for presentation. It would help with the overall IQ. Thanks Tiago!

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    I also noticed it is a tiny file 87kb. You can save for web up to 400kb for presentation. It would help with the overall IQ. Thanks Tiago!
    Great call Dumay. I think that will explain why the IQ isn't as good as it could be.

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    Thank you Steve and Dumay!

    Steve this is a FF pic.
    The hidrohide is amazing as we in Portugal don't have threats in the water (p.e. crocodiles), the birds aren't afraid of something that looks like a bush and slowly moves in the water.
    This was the 1st time I encountered the Otter. I've seen her 3 times more, but never had another opportunity like this one. It's a nocturnal animal, thus I can only see her before or during the 1st minutes of sunrise.

    I would like to do a miracle with this pic, but the conditions were the worst possible - surprise/no time, facing the sunlight and very foggy. I've tried improving what I have and the following is the best I could do

    Name:  _TC40117_web2.jpg
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    Last edited by Tiago Caravana; 01-12-2015 at 04:42 PM.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Certainly the IQ is better, I still might look at pulling back the blue as it opens up a bit more detail & form. Do you know what the green is at the front of the mouth, weed?

    Please note, the image again has NO embedded colour profile. As I mention on your Avian thread, I would check your setting for save for Web as I am sure one of the boxes is unchecked.

    Cheers
    Steve

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi Tiago, I could be well off in terms of Exp & colour, not being there and working on a laptop with an image that isn't sRGB is not ideal, but based on the RP of yours I think you could get more from the image, ultimately from the original RAW capture.

    Steve

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    Thanks again Steve. You did a lot better than me!!! I do have a lot to learn...
    The green in the front of the mouth is indeed weed.
    And you're right I wasn't checking the imbed color profile box
    Thank you for all your patience 😊

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    Hi Tiago,

    what a sweet chap, love those animals. They are so much fun. Most is said and Steve took care of the color Looking as well forward to more images of this funny animals

    Have a nice eve

    Ciao
    Anette

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Hi Tiago
    Nice angle on the Otter and I actually quite like the focus on the snout and the water bow, instead of on the eyes.
    Steve's last repost looks best to me.
    Good to see you posting here, I hope you learn a lot and contribute to other threads as well.
    Morkel Erasmus

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