Contemplation
Jun, 2013Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken at the Washington Smithsonian Zoo shortly after the doors were opened in the Ourang Outang enclosure.Time
One of my favorite zoo images, taken in mid morning. Most Ourang Outangs had exited the building but this one just seemed content to sit and rest his head on the door frame.Lighting
This image was taken using natural light. Mid morning sunlight illuminating this Ourang Outang brought out the deep reddish, rust colors of his hair.Equipment
Camera used for this image was, Canon EOS 1DMKII with Canon EF 100-400mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USMInspiration
I am a wildlife photographer and would normally photograph animals in their own habitat in the wild. But while on a family trip to Washington DC we decided to visit the National Zoo and as I always have a camera with me I took the opportunity to photograph the animals at the zoo. I was looking to photograph Lions, Tigers, Giraffes.... you know the usual suspects at a zoo. As we approached the monkey and ape enclosures they were opening all the doors to let them roam free in their respective enclosures. The Ourang Outang doors opened and most went on their way to climb cables and trees but this one just waited at the door opening and stayed there for the longest time. The image above captured what looks like the Ourang Outang in a pensive expression or in a state of contemplation of what to do next. Or maybe he is just contemplating life.........Editing
Cropping the image was the only post process done to this image. I cropped to remove the door in the image as it did not suit a purpose in the image. Directing your eye to the facial expression of the Ourang Outang was my goal.In my camera bag
I usually carry two bodies in my bag with a full compliment of lenses. I have with me at all times my trusty Canon EOS 5DMKII and my Canon go to for wildlife is Canon EOS 1DMKII. Lenses i usually have with me are Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L, Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM and now also carry the Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 Di VC USD. Tripod and gimbal head also a must I use a INDURO ALLOY 8M AT Tripod and a Induro GIM304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fibre Monopod. Jobu Jr. 3 Deluxe Gimbal Head, have attached on my tripod a RRS BH-55 Ballhead w/ B2-LLR-II: Lever-release clamp & RRS BGE6-L: L-plate for BG-E6 grip.Feedback
The zoo or any wildlife park or reserve is a great place to practice wildlife photography. In most cases the animals are always present and usually outdoors. In some cases the animals may be secured in large compounds or cages, try to position yourself in an area where the animals are in full view without anything blocking your view. This may not be always possible so visiting a zoo at different times of the day may prove to be to your benefit. Visiting zoos on a hot summer day in the middle of the afternoon would not be a good time to visit as the animals would be searching for shady areas. Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon or evening would be best and in most cases visiting during feeding time may result in some good action shots. Practice trying to isolate the animal with a long lenses if you can, a telephoto lens would allow you to get that close up shot without some unwanted backgrounds such as concrete barriers or walls as well as some fencing that is always found in zoos. Try to get some eye contact shots and some group shots. Practice is key to getting that one shot that has that WOW factor.
