0031 345 246009 [email protected]
Nature_Photographer_of_the_Year_Contest-Logo
Nature_Photographer_of_the_Year_Contest-Logo

Name: Ernst Dirksen
Picture title: Otter in ice hole
Category: Black and White 
Nationality:
the Netherlands
Occupation: Freelance photographer and freelance certified tennis instructor.

Technical information
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Tokina AT-X 12-24 mm f 4.0 at 12 mm
EXIF: 1/320 sec. at f5.6 (+0.7 e/v), ISO 800
Accessories: Gitzo tripod, camouflage net, Hähnel capture remote control

 

CATEGORY WINNER BLACK AND WHITE
Ernst Dirksen | Otter in ice hole

Name: Ernst Dirksen
Picture title: Otter in ice hole
Category: Black and White 
Nationality:
the Netherlands
Occupation: Freelance photographer and freelance certified tennis instructor.

Technical information
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Tokina AT-X 12-24 mm f 4.0 at 12 mm
EXIF: 1/320 sec. at f5.6 (+0.7 e/v), ISO 800
Accessories: Gitzo tripod, camouflage net, Hähnel capture remote control

Ernst Dirksen says:

If there’s one animal that strongly depends on clear water with a lot of fish, it’s the otter. After the water quality in the Netherlands improved drastically, people started a program to reintroduce the otter in 2002. The otter in this picture is one of the animals that were part of this successful project. The end result of the program is a healthy population of otters in the Netherlands. In winter, when the water is covered with ice, it pays off to keep an eye on the holes in the ice. The otter uses these holes to access the water and hunt for fish. By making swimming motions, the otter makes sure the ice hole does not freeze. In a wildlife park nearby Lelystad, I got permission from the forester to observe such an ice hole and take pictures there. After many hours of observation, I knew how the animal behaves and came up with a plan. I placed my camera right above the ice hole and used a 12-24 mm zoom lens. I camouflaged the setup with a camouflage net. At a safe distance from the ice hole, I keep an eye on the hole and operate my camera remotely. After waiting for many hours, the otter finally appears and looks at my camera setup in surprise. Mission accomplished!

 About Ernst Dirksen:

About Ernst Dirksen:

the Netherlands

Ernst Dirksen (born in 1959) works as a freelance photographer. In addition to his specialty and passion, wildlife photography, he freelances for several companies and clients. He is also a certified tennis instructor. “I’m a perfectionist and pay attention to detail. With current techniques, it’s possible to take good wildlife photos for many people. Given the popularity of wildlife photography, it’s very difficult to take great pictures these days. To end up with optimal results; a good eye, love for and knowledge of nature, mastery of the techniques and creativity are crucial. When it comes to wildlife photography, I work project-based. I push the boundaries and end up with special images in many cases. The Netherlands, and particularly my home base (Nunspeet, Veluwe), inspires me. I’m specialized in subjects that I come across close to home, but also often cross the border to take photos abroad. In my opinion, you end up with the best results by putting in the time, knowing your subject well, and exploring all the options. I won several national and international awards for my work; among others, National Geographic, Argus photographer of the year, making it to the finals of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Grasduinen/Roots.” Ernst also offers challenging workshops. And he contributed to WILD, a cinema film about the Veluwe, as a cameraman. “This was a fantastic experience for me. Thankfully, our country still offers some great nature, but a lot of it has also disappeared in recent years. Let’s protect and cherish what remains.”

 www.ernstdirksenfotografie.nl

Share This