maureenmofigueira

bean portrait

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

settings

Aperture f/3.5 ISO 800 Shutter 1/200 Focal Length 72000/1000

upload_date

Feb, 2015

Views

370

Likes

+18

Awards

Staff Winter Selection 2015

Top Choice

Magnificent Capture

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Peer Award

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 30 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Fantastic shot :)

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Behind The Lens

Location

This photograph was taken at East Coast Exotic Animal Rescue in Fairfield, PA, USA. I am a long time volunteer there, as both animal caretaker and photographer. Over the last ten years plus, Beanie, the gibbon in the photo) has taught me a lot. She is the Rescue matriarch, full of ancient wisdom readily shared via those intense, beautiful eyes.

Time

It was a dreary and chilly day that the animals often dislike, particularly Beanie. By mid-afternoon, it had warmed up and cleared up enough for her (she is an old girl!) to decide to come outside long enough to stretch a little.

Lighting

While there really isn't anything special about the lighting, the misty, still a little dark, dreariness of the day created kind of a soft, mysterious light that I felt suited the ancient wisdom in her eyes.

Equipment

This is a hand held shot taken with my first camera - a Canon Powershot S5 IS.

Inspiration

The most often photographed animals at the rescue are probably the big cats, and I take my share of those, too. And, the capuchin monkeys, always playing and in motion are always a favorite. But the quiet moments not often seen by the general public are the ones I treasure and am always most intrigued by. The animals in these quiet, reflective moments show you very different sides of their personalities that is just as much a part of them as the side in the more commonly seen images.

Editing

No, not really - taken in jpeg format, a simple auto correct click in the Canon camera software was it.

In my camera bag

I have since upgraded from the Powershot to a Canon D80 and three kit lenses (Canon 18-135mm EFS, Canon 75-300mm kit lens, and a Canon 50mm 2.8). Most of the time I have the 18-135mm on the camera body because it is so versatile, but I use the 75-300mm nearly as often. And a speedlight that almost never sees any use- hoping to change that with a little learning how to do so effectively.

Feedback

Animals, all animals, are such fascinating creatures with such amazing details, behaviors, and diverse characteristics. Take your time, be patient, learn as much as you can about your subject. Go where the crowd isn't, look for the small things and little moments. Open up to the possibility of them offering something to you that is, in your mind, worth capturing or that 'speaks' to you.

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maureenmofigueira

maureenmofigueira

bean portrait

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow maureenmofigueira

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