Hey everyone!
I haven't been shooting a whole lot of fauna lately, but I figured I'd stop by and see what's going on here in the fauna gallery.
This is a photo that I took about a year ago. It's been in my photoportfolio gallery for a while (which I need to update), but I don't think I have ever posted it here... I honestly can't remember.
I reworked it a bit and decided to post it anyway.
There are many things about this image that I wish I could do differently, but when an opportunity presents itself as quickly as this one did, theres little time to think and compose. Some people who see this image think that it's as simple as training the monkeys to pose... I wish that were the case.
These three monkeys were playing around and I decided to try to shoot the action. I got four shots in and this is the only one where they all made eye contact before they split up.
The bright area in the BG is a major distraction... I'm very aware of that. That would be the biggest change I would make to the composition if I could do it all over again. I cropped it a bit from what you see in Photoportfolios in hopes that it would help.
Despite the distractions, this seems to be one of the more popular monkey shots with most of the people who have seen them.
I just wanted to see what the photographers thought.
Comments and critiques welcomed
Canon 350D
Sigma 100-300mm
ISO 400
1/250 sec. @ f/4.5
handheld @ 100mm
Comments
18 commentsWhat type of monkeys are these, where were you photographing them?
Rebecka
Rebecka, sorry for not mentioning the species or location. I've been posting mostly monkey images lately in this gallery and I ignorantly just assumed everyone knew. Again, sorry about that.
These are Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys (Peruvian subspecies). And these are some of the free ranging monkeys of the Amazonian Rainforest wing of the park where I work (Monkey Jungle, Miami). These rainforest monkeys live in semi wild conditions, roaming a 5 acre well planted area. They were originally brought to the park in the 1950's, mostly for research on natural, social and mating behavior, which still goes on today. They really are as silly and playful as they seem in this image.
- Luke
I really like the eye contact, expression on all three & the setting too!
Jagdeep Rajput
Great to to see you back - I always enjoy seeing your images.
This is an excellent shot with a tremendous amount of appeal and interest in it. Managing eye-contact with multiple subjects is always a very difficult challenge, and I can only imagine how tough it would be when dealing with 3 monkeys clowning around - so very well done. I think you've also done a great job in your "self-critique" of the image and identified most of the major nits anyone (or any photographer) would have. You mention that the bright area in the background being a major "distraction" - in most images I would agree that a highlight like this would distract. I have to admit that in this image the power of those 3 sets of eyes turns this "major" distraction into a VERY minor issue - I hardly noticed it.
Thanks for sharing this cute and captivating image...very well done...
Brad
Congratulations on being the "Pick of the Week"! This image is probably not the "most perfect" image (whatever that means!) we saw this week. And, the subjects can't match the drama of some of the lions, leopards, bears and elephants that were posted. The lighting? Not that dramatic. BUT, the subjects in this image are just so endearing! Between their eye contact, antics, and simple pure appeal, the 3 young Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys stole the show and ensured that you took this week's Pick of the Week.
Cheers...
Brad
Marsel, (I hope you come back to this) Originally, I tried like hell to clone those bright areas out, but I couldn't get it to look natural. I know you're really good with this kind of stuff... Any tips would be highly appreciated.