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Otter - Lutra lutra


Otter - Lutra lutra
Photo Information
Copyright: Emma Taylor (Aramok) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 896 W: 101 N: 1501] (5166)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-10
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM, Digital ISO 800
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Britsh Wildlife Center
Theme(s): annick vanderschelden's favourites, Alex99 favorite shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-11 4:39
Viewed: 7230
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Back last October, I had a photographic day at the British Wildlife Centre at Lingfield, Surrey.

One of the advantages of going of these dedicated photographic days, is that (assuming it is safe to do so) you are allowed into the various animals enclosures. So sitting on the grass in the Otter enclosure, I was able to repeat some of the photos from a previous visit which has not worked out (simply because the weather that time had been way to hot and sunny)... This time the weather was overcast and dull which was actually ideal for what I was after. It was actually great fun sitting in the otter enclosure because the otters really enjoy playing 'tag' with your feet and frequently came too close to you for the lens to focus on them. At times like that, it was almost as much fun to just sit and watch them play.

So with a new camera (this is shot number 437) and a borrowed lens I managed to get this photo.. (It was possible to borrow equipment from the people who ran the outing, and given I am looking at purchasing the Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens having some use of it first made sense...)

The day out was fantastic and exhausting as well, but confirmed to me that I really want to purchase this lens... I should have enough money next month...

So we have the Otter here... I won't bore everyone with the details of an otter, if you wish to look them up here is a link to the British Wildlife Centre's own web page on the Otter...

Anyhow please enjoy, I know that I did really enjoy the day out.

Picture details, no editing has been done whatsoever, with the obvious exception of resizing, USM and a border added. The picture is full frame and has therefore had to be compressed slightly more than I would like it to have been, but I thought I would post it anyway...
Heaven, PaulH, Miss_Piggy, Proframe, eqshannon, SkyF, vanderschelden, Alex99, gracious, nglen, Hil, hester, Toka has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To PaulH: YEYAramok 1 04-11 05:25
To Heaven: thanksAramok 1 04-11 05:08
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Emma!

I like reading your notes, they are narrative and instructive at the same time. What a good idea to take part in these photographic days. The result is fabulous: smooth and indirect light are ideal for this subject, the details are wonderful.

About the lens: from my point of view, the lens is much more important than the camera. I normally only use my three favourite lenses which all are at f 2.8: Minolta macro 100m, Minolta 28-70mm and Sony 70-200mm. I couldn't afford them together, so I waited a couple of years to purchase them one after the other. I believe it was a good choice.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2008-04-11 5:02]
  • [+]

Hi Emma,
is this the same place Karan (Hester) posts some of here shots from? I am going to have to pay it a visit i think.
This is a beautiful portrait, it really is. Very natural looking with heaps of detail in that fur. Thats some nice glass you're using. Btw, think of getting the 40D...yay or nay?
tfs and have a good weekend, hope the jaunt to Docs went ok.
Paul

Hallo Emma
Thanks for the wonderful feedback yesterday, after my comment of your Crab Apple Blossom. It was great to learn to know you a little better through your notes. You have presented us with a stunning capture of this Otter. The details are clearly visible and a feast to the eye. I especially like the wet snout, the big eyes and the long whiskers. The green background is just the right colour and brings out the colour of the otter to a greater extent. You captured this one in a lovely pose from the side. A wonderful portrait, nicely done and presented. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day.
Kind regards
Anna

Hello Emma,

I really do enjoy looking at this wonderful image.
Beautiful portrait shot of the Otter.
Although sometimes it's great to make shots while sun is shining, most of the times indeed it's more ideal to shoot on overast days.
Fur details and colors do come out most wonderful.
Great work on sharpness and DOF.
Excellent note also. TFS!!!

Kindest regards and have a nice weekend,

Harry

Hi Emma,
Nice seeing this playful animal in close up. Beautiful profile. You capture the bright eye and wet fur very well. TFS,
JC

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2008-04-11 8:00]

Hi Emma,
beautiful portrait of this cute Otter.
I like the composition, excellent sharpness in the forground and a nice OOF BG.
Great pose from your model and the colors are wonderful.
Very nice close crop to get a close look at its facial features.
TFS..Sky

Out side of the Cleveland Zoo, I have only seen one and have a picture of it posted somewhere..but this is an extremely nice close in image. Very sharp. I like the way you mentioned no editing...That even adds another plus! Great and good seeing you post~!
Bob

Hi Emma,
Nice capture of this otter. Good composition and details.
TFS
Wei

Hello Emma,
Wonderful portrait. Very good sharpness. I do like the foreground and blurred the background.
I do like it!
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-04-11 9:45]

Hi Emma.
I cannot imagine better image of the subject. Stunning portrait work. You photo model is charming at high range. Scenery (I mean BG and surroundings) is superb. Quality of the image is outstanding in every aspect. My congratulations and best wishes.
Alexei.

Hi Emma,
what a beautiful portrait with amazing sharpness.
Composition and colors are great.
I wonder what the otter is looking at ^^
TFS Tatjana

Hi Emma, welcome back! Hope you are well today. Lovely portrait of this otter. Super details, well lit, and nicely composed. This is the cam and lens I'm longing for!
Tfs, Richard

Hello Emma,
Delighted to see your beautiful posting of Otter!
perfect sharpness, very good colouration and superb details in the shot!
I loved it and enjoyed it
many thanks
have a wonderful weekend, Emma!
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-04-11 13:06]

Hi Emma. You have usedthe canon to its best in this shot of the wet looking Otter.we have some in the river by us but i have yet to see them. You have capturedfine detail and natural colours and good use of the light. well done TFS.
Nick..

Have a good weekend.

Hi Emma, splendid portrait of cute creature with wonderful details and excellent sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 485 W: 0 N: 772] (3395)
  • [2008-04-12 1:37]

Hi Emma this is exellent portraid
very good sharp and detail
well done.

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
  • [2008-04-12 4:14]

Hi Emma,

Fabulous shot of the Otter.
Nicely composed with a great POV and a lovley pose with the Otters head in profile.
Superb detail on the wet fur, with lovely colours and nice use of light.
Great note too, I never knew about these Photographic days, so its useful info.

Hil

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-04-12 15:02]

Hi Emma,
what a great capture of this Otter!
I've been meaning to go to the BWC but just need to find the time... it's quite a drive from me.
Looks like you made the most of the day!
This is a fabulous shot!
The sharpness and clarity are exceptional!
Great composition and POV.
Brilliant BG.
You'll love the 100-400mm too. I've had it for just over a month and I'm amazed by it time and time again :-) It works great with a 400D but with a 40D it would be absolutely excellent!

Cheers!

Joe

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2008-04-13 2:12]

Hi Emma

This is lovely. I have been to the BWC a few times this year (since I worked out that I can get there even though I don't drive) but I haven't done one of their photographic days. I know what you mean by sunny days as the pale areas of otters wet fur can become OE easily and the strong shadows ruin the shot. You have a great POV here, wonderful natural colours and pin sharp details. She looks very cute here (they were not so cute when I watched them tear apart a moorhen).

TFS

Karan

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