Lying Eyes
A mountain gorilla's piercing eyes shine through the vegetation as he lies down to rest.
A mountain gorilla's piercing eyes shine through the vegetation as he lies down to rest.
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Jul, 2016Views
5368
Likes
Awards
Winner in Through the Leaves Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Monkeys And Apes Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Animal Eye Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Black Color In Nature Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Evocative Wildlife Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 5
Winner in Beasty Eyes Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 30 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Categories
Merbert
September 02, 2016
What a special Photo!!! Well done and thanks for sharing. Would love to see them one day.
Platinum
chriswhittier
October 05, 2016
Thanks Merbert- it only takes a plane ticket...and $750 permit. I love your droplets.
Platinum
Platinum
kimberlypinz
October 04, 2016
I adore this shot. It evokes great emotion. One can see the soul through his eyes. Can't say enough.
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
chriswhittier
October 31, 2016
Thanks Mike. Your gallery is great and your portraits are inspirational to folks like me afraid to shoot them!
fionaanderson
December 04, 2016
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
fionaanderson
December 04, 2016
What exceptional beautiful images you take especially the wildlife, this photo is so moving. You capture the soul of the animal. You are an inspiration to an amateur wildlfe photographer like me. Fiona
Platinum
PRO
Pamelabole
December 08, 2016
Wow....amazing capture....love the colors and those eyes!!! Congrats on being a Contest Finalist!! : )
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
PRO
Pamelabole
January 25, 2018
Love this......so well done!! Congrats on your well deserved challenge win!! : )
Platinum
Platinum
Platinum
PRO+
Platinum
chriswhittier
May 16, 2022
Not as close as it appears. The rules are you need to stay 20 feet away, which was about the distance here.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, one of the last remaining refuges for these critically endangered mountain gorillas. I was fortunate to be working there for many years as a wildlife veterinarian assisting with their care.Time
It usually takes a few hours hike to find the gorilla groups and departing from Park headquarters after a briefing means most visits occur around midday. This day was no exception with this image shot around 11 AM.Lighting
This was an overcast yet relatively bright day and this gorilla group was in a fairly open area- a rare good lighting opportunity with gorillas. Catching some bright sky in gorillas' eyes makes for an ideal capture like this.Equipment
This was shot handheld without flash (like all of my gorilla images) with a Canon 5D and Sigma 70-300 lens. Tripods and flashes are both generally prohibited when shooting wildlife such as gorillas because both can be perceived as threats to animals that are at risk of being shot and killed by armed poachers.Inspiration
As a wildlife veterinarian working with these incredible animals most of my early photos were just to document injuries and illnesses. I was inspired to tap into my artistic training when I read a quote from a photographer friend saying that most people who work with gorillas are not good photographers. I took that challenge and started looking for opportunities like this while I was doing my work, which occasionally allowed for some artistic photography.Editing
I missed the exposure on this shot so had to darken in post-processing to make up for that mistake (very glad I was shooting raw at the time!). I also took a little yellow out of the vegetation to bring out the green and cropped a little from the top and right edges. To me, over-processed images are very obvious and very artificial so I try to minimize processing and allow the camera to capture what I see.In my camera bag
When I took this it was only my 5D (with obligatory battery grip) and single zoom lens along with extra batteries, memory cards.... and a rain cover! I prefer to be that light but now sometimes carry that same 5D as back-up for the newer MarkIII along with one of my much better zooms. When I'm out shooting wildlife I don't even bother to carry a wide angle lens as my pocket Canon Powershot and even my Lumia phone can both shoot raw files. I do sometimes use my Canon EF 24-70 L lens for landscapes and close-ups and love my Slik tripod, but rarely have the opportunity to use it. I also toy with a circular polarizer sometimes but otherwise avoid filters.Feedback
For me, wildlife photography is the nexus of opportunity, patience, and timing. Being in the right place at the right time with the right kit is half the battle, the rest is about waiting for, or better- anticipating, the right moment. I've never been one to rattle off a 100 frames hoping for one that is ideal, especially around animals that appreciate calmness and quiet. Instead I usually trust my knowledge of animals' behavior to sense how they might move, what they might do next, etc. Most importantly, the only way to have the opportunity is to go visit magnificent animals like these, which, when done right, also benefits their conservation- a proverbial win-win!
