The stare (C)

This was taken at Loro Park, a zoo in North Tenerife a few years ago.

It was taken through very thick, degraded, perspex or glass and I had to increase contrast in Photoshop to compensate.

I wasn't able to get near the front of the crowd and couldn't see all the animal so I took this shot between the heads of the people in front of me and had to settle for just a head shot.

This is full frame, I compose in-camera whenever possible, a habit from the days of shooting with film that I find hard to break.

The light was a bit low in the enclosure, I didn't notice at the time, I was still getting used to my new camera, it was delivered on the Thursday and I was flying on the Saturday, read the manual on the plane to see what all those knobs and dials did, luckily it looks like I had my anti-shake switched on anyway.


I'd love a chance to take a photo like this in the wild.

Sony A350
Sigma 50-500
f6.3
1/30th second (yes I know lol)
ISO 400
420mm

We pay all this money for lens glass and then shoot through perspex....but still end up with a terrific image.Great detail,super facial expression and those eyes.Very well done Geoffrey.

Phil.

Thanks Phil, in this instance though, I was very glad the perspex was there

Geoff.

Technically this is a good shot, bags of detail and a great background, especially considering it is a captive subject. I do think, however, that this subject was crying out for portrait format. The top of the head is too close to the edge of the frame, the chin too close to the bottom.

Incidentally, if you do get a chance to do them in the wild you will find you are working at much the same distance. It's amazing how much larger they look when you don't have the perspex between you!

David

Hi Graham, brilliant image with plenty detail, just been watching programme on these animals,you must be well pleased with this fantastic image,dont change your setup.......1st class

Thanks guys.

Geoff.