Don't Come Near
This Giant river Otter had been successful in taking a pause to eat his fish before being overwhelmed by the rest of his gang. I was so very lucky to get this ...
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This Giant river Otter had been successful in taking a pause to eat his fish before being overwhelmed by the rest of his gang. I was so very lucky to get this shot, as I was on a very small, moving boat trying to keep up with them.
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Mar, 2015Views
570
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Awards
Fall Award 2020
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken from a small moving boat on the Cuiaba River, in the Mato Grosso, Pantanal, Brazil.Time
My husband & I were on our first ever photographic "safari" with 6 other photographers and guides. We had been on a morning safari from the flotel and late morning, heard a commotion and suddenly we were seeing at least 30 or more giant river otters fighting over fish and moving like lightning. I kept my eye on this one and fortunately, he appeared near the bank of the river among heavy foliage to eat his fish. I managed to get some shots before he took off again under and over the water.Lighting
Nothing really, other than it was very bright and he was hidden under bushes along the river bank. I think the darkness behind him helped in getting this shot, as I was standing on the boat as it was moving trying to keep up with them all.Equipment
Manfrotto tripod, which is way too heavy I have discovered, Canon 5D Mark III camera with Canon 500mm lens and extender.Inspiration
This was one of those "moments" in being at the right time right place and paying attention. These otters are huge and so fast in the water and when one gets a fish, it's a race to keep it. Saw him go under the water and fortunately where he came up is where i had my camera - took the shots and then he was off once more. The pro who has the photographic safari company, saw this image after we returned to the USA and used it for his sites, as it is very rare, so I was told, to capture them like this without being in one place an entire day. I was thrilled, as I had never expected seeing such amazing creatures and probably one of the best trips I've ever done.Editing
I believe very little was done. I increased the contrast slightly in photoshop, zoomed and cropped. I have both Lightroom and Photoshop, have never used Lightroom as I don't have the time to learn and PS is as I go - I don't like editing or playing with my photos - if they aren't right, they are deleted. My husband tells me I'm too particular and want everything just perfect. Of course, as I won't put any image out that I don't like or think is of interest.In my camera bag
I freelance as a photographer and also write articles for our local newspapers and magazines, so depending up on the job, it is always both the Canon 5D Mark II & Mark III - the latter I use 100% of the time and have the Mark II set up with 24-70mm lens. The go to lens is definitely for what I do, the Canon 70-300m. I will also take my Canon 14mm and if a fun job, the Sigma Fisheye 8mm. When traveling on safari, in Africa or elsewhere, the main bag has all the above, plus Canon 1.4 and 2x extenders; Canon 500mm; Canon 300mm; Canon 100mm macro; Flash unit, spare batteries, external drives, laptop (Apple MacPro), 8 batteries, chargers for everything, cleaning/dusting equipment, GoPro which I still screw up, Remote controls, 2 monopods, filters and I'm sure more....I actually have two bags, the smaller of which my husband carries! I lug the major weight!Feedback
Be patient, don't race, get the camera ready and shoot. I do a lot of wildlife and it's just a matter of patience and being prepared. Sometimes nothing and other times, magic. I love it, am self taught, although my career as a live TV Director, was a natural. I taught camera and everything else at one point and it's just me - like everything, you either can or can't. Having the best of everything will not make the photographer - learn what you have and go from there. AND enjoy...don't race and don't get down, there is always another shot somewhere. I also do not take my camera everywhere I go, as you need to SEE what you have around you, get a sense of what you want and then go get it.
