Gorillas
Nov, 2014Views
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Zenith Award
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Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
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Peer Award
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken at Durrell Wildlife Park in Jersey, Channel Islands. It is run by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust after having been set up by Gerald Durrell, the author and naturalist.Time
It was taken mid morning - the animals had all been let out of their enclosures and were enjoying the sunshine. They were still to be fed their lunch so I didn't have to suffer the great post lunch siesta and laziness. The baby gorilla was very active - moving to and from his Mum - but all the aunties and Mum were watching him closely.Lighting
I used natural light - no reflectors, no flash.Equipment
Canon 7D, Tamron 18-270 lens. Hand held, no flash (I didn't need one due to the bright sunny day and I wouldn't use a flash around animals).Inspiration
The little one was a true character. He was mimicking the actions of the silver back - even so far as to look totally bored at one point with his hand under his chin and the other arm folded across his belly as if he was saying "Ho hum". I watched him for ages taking the occasional photo, and this one presented itself - is he trying to escape, is he mimicking again, is he just your typical adolescent? Mum was watching very closely. I love the positioning of him - the small figure - just to the right of the full grown gorilla.Editing
Lifted the shadows a little and of course straightened it while cropping. I try to get everything right in-camera.In my camera bag
Upgraded now to a Canon 5DMk3 with a 24-105 lens as my main kit. But if I am doing sports photography will be using a 70-200mm lens.Feedback
Be patient. Watch and listen to how the animals are interacting with each other. Observe the light and shadows as the sun changes position. Walk to different places around the exhibit to see if you can get a better angle.
