Giant Otter Snack

[Max_Waugh]

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

This is one of my favorite spots in Brazil’s Pantanal. Every time I visit this small canal and pass these roots, I wish for a wildlife subject to place in front of them. A few years ago, I finally got a jaguar here, and this year, it was a giant otter’s turn.

I did my best to take advantage of the setting (and lovely backlight) to try a few different compositions. I do like the wide view quite a bit, as it shows the massive root fall and frankly, is something different for this subject. The close-up otter-eating-fish shots are something I’ve done before. I have included a slightly larger version of the wide, since the otter is so small in the frame.

Technical Details

Canon R3
Canon 100-500
ISO 1600
1/640th
f/6.3

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[Max_Waugh]

Here are the tighter shots…

[JRajput]

Very interesting frames from different focal lengths and I really like the setting of tree. I’m always curious to find subjects around my favorite spots in different parks, call them studios !
Coming to the main image, I may darken the top half of frame and selectively unsharpen the roots and I find the fallen root competing with Otter for attention.

[Jim_Zablotny]

Those webbed paws are impressive! I like the first one and the closeup as my favorites. The tree roots are impressive in the first one and compete with the otter for sure. Little bit of graininess in the close-up and the highlights are very bright. You might be able to tone them down a bit which would improve the comp. Those paws make the shot…Jim