Great Ape, great sadness

[johngpt]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3466751057_7000da527f_o.jpg


It's been a long time since I've been to our zoo. I've been seeing some superb images from others at flickr and elsewhere, shot at various zoos and parks.

So I went.

I came away feeling quite sad, because of these great apes.

I understand that zoos are actually preserving life. Many species are endangered. But these guys, and this guy in particular, are so close to human that I kept putting myself in his place.

If I couldn't escape, I have to f*****g kill myself.

[MissMia]

I came away feeling quite sad, because of these great apes.

I understand that zoos are actually preserving life. Many species are endangered. But these guys, and this guy in particular, are so close to human that I kept putting myself in his place.

If I couldn't escape, I have to f*****g kill myself.

That reminds me of this story (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Rock-Throwing-Ape-Can-Plan-Ahead-Santino-The-Chimpanzee-Prepared-Stones-Like-A-Human-A-Study-Says/Article/200903215238044?f=rss).

I haven't been to the zoo yet with my camera. Maybe I should give it a try.

[johngpt]

That reminds me of this story (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Rock-Throwing-Ape-Can-Plan-Ahead-Santino-The-Chimpanzee-Prepared-Stones-Like-A-Human-A-Study-Says/Article/200903215238044?f=rss).

I haven't been to the zoo yet with my camera. Maybe I should give it a try.
Funny, but now that I click on that link, I had seen it before. I think it was a couple weeks ago.

I hadn't read at that time about what the zoo keepers did to resolve the issue. Castrated, eh?

Phew.

I guess I should appreciate my supervisor more.

[invisible]

What a sad expression you captured there... I find it very difficult to come up with good animal shots because I can't ever capture a single emotion from them with the camera. Props to you for this one.

[johngpt]

What a sad expression you captured there... I find it very difficult to come up with good animal shots because I can't ever capture a single emotion from them with the camera. Props to you for this one.

Thanks Federico.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3466768631_c1880a15df_o.jpg


She spent a long time on this tree, just staring.

Highlights on the tree are blown. I spent a long time with this due to the strong backlighting. It was difficult. In RAW I processed first for her, then for the background, and had to do a lot of masking to get them together.

Apes seem quite intelligent. All of them avoid the sun as much as possible. And if they are in the sun, they keep their backs to it. Good strategy here in New Mexico.

So, there I was bemoaning my light. Feeling quite sad that they're in this closed environment (as enlightened an environment as possible for a zoo), when I noticed she looked up at some noisy kids.

So I whistled, and she looked up at me...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3467602718_bc36fc15b4_o.jpg

[Antarctican]

That first one really grabs my attention: the direct gaze and its sad expression (and human-like haircut!) are well captured.

[johngpt]

That first one really grabs my attention: the direct gaze and its sad expression (and human-like haircut!) are well captured.
Thanks Anty. He and I are probably related! But he's got more hair now.

And one last one from that zoo visit. After walking around the corner from the great apes, were this orangutan mother and baby.

Tough lighting conditions.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3474532226_a7d6082ac6_o.jpg

They were in deep shade under the overhang, with bright, bright sunlight beyond.

[Antarctican]

What a sweet pose the baby orang was in! Someone please saw off that tree limb.

[johngpt]

After this shot, I tried moving to get a better line, but then mama moved baby and that was that. Guess she wasn't into the paparazzi.

If the lighting was better, if the focus was better, I'd have a go at cloning it out, but I don't think the effort would be worth it.

[PhotoJet]

I love shooting at the zoo, but I have to confess that I have a VERY difficult time shooting the primates... just because there is such 'humanity' in their eyes. :(