Bill Jennings's Photoblog
Papa Gorilla waiting for his son's help
Posted by Bill Jennings ((Bay Area Northern Calif), United States) on 15 May 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
Ides of May! I can't believe the year is moving so quickly. I am beginning to see flowers fade in the garden from the heat, and that saddens me: but a summer trip to the zoo always makes me feel better, so I'm posting this Papa Gorilla today in anticipation of zoo days to come!
While watching a Gorilla family at the San Francisco zoo - you could tell the frustration of this dad, while his son was playing with an exercise ball, and not helping pull the log back into the rocks with him. Catching his frustration tells me the value of waiting for the story - and not just snapping a shot of each animal I see. Can't you see his frustration?
This was taken my first day out with a teleconverter and long prime len using a monopod - hence, the high ISO (trying to calibrate how much I could push the ISO). I think the photo came out ok, but now I would likely have used a slightly less ISO (400?), and rely more on the IS feature of the lens and the stability from the monopod.
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Sugata's Dandelion Diary - 4 really opened up my eyes on looking just under our feet for a fantastic photo. Well done!
Steve's monochrome Ritner Creek Covered Bridge is an amazing monochrome, reminding me of tranquility and simpler times. I love his bridge series: take some time and look through his portfolio - well conceived and implemented.
Just made it home after a month of travel - posted a few photos from my journey to within 48 miles of the antartica circle: at nearly the longest day of the year: hence, there was 21 hours a day of sunlight...
Thank you for your patience while I was out of touch.
I do hope you followed Bob Kelly's blog (my roommate) while he is still traveling - he is now on Easter Island - and will be updating his blog for some time to come - please check it out!
Matt from Gainesville, United States
I love the look on his face. I would say the image is a success, although I too think you could push your ISO further with that monopod... Also, there's something jarring about that arm at the bottom of the shot... I like it there, yet at the same time it seems clipped and takes a great deal of the energy away from the face... difficult, I'm not sure there's a better solution than the one you've already found here...
15 May 2009 5:48am
@Matt: Great comment Matt - I will play with it, and see if there is any crop that works better - you are right the real subject is his face! thanks for the detailed comment.
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
I would have said he was sulking had I not read your story. Maybe he is looking on in envy that his son can still have fun whilst he is being the boss and far to serious lol! Just another perspective I guess.
This is a great shot...that clarity is quite something!!
15 May 2009 6:23am
@Linerberry: thanks again for such a great comment on this blog entry - I always enjoy your perspective and it does help me think on what I should look for next time. you're a great member of the AM3 community!
dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States
what an amazing character!!! beautiful shot Bill!! a splendid composition and perfect color and detail! 5 stars all the way!!!
15 May 2009 7:26am
@dj.tigersprout: thanks DJ - I'm proud of this image for a first day out with so much new gear. thanks for the five stars - you're the best!
P J W Miller from Chase Terrace, United Kingdom
This is a great close up of this beast, could you not coax him to smile
15 May 2009 7:54am
@P J W Miller: Considering I was over 100 feet away, it would have taken real effort to get a smile - I have trouble with relatives that are 10 feet away!
zOOm from Paris, France
You really capture a great attitude here and the DOF reinforces this feeling of intimacy, he really seems to be expected something... a father not beeing convinced of the attitude of his son ? Ah, children ! :-)
15 May 2009 8:46am
@zOOm: Ah, children! I am convinced that our children are uniquely able to push our buttons, as they know us all too well! thanks for the kind words on the photo.
Linda from Riga/Sigulda, Latvia
a great portrait of this gorilla and you've really captured his emotions
15 May 2009 9:01am
@Linda: Thanks Linda - glad the emotions come through in the image for you.
Helen from Melbourne, Australia
Fabulous shot .... portrait I mean. Just look at that proud haughty expression. Great capture!
15 May 2009 9:52am
@Helen: Thank you Helen. Glad you liked the portrait of this unusual haughty expression!
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Wow, a great expressive portrait of this gorila, I like very much the sharp details of the skin and the look.
15 May 2009 10:46am
@Paco Díaz: Thanks Paco - it's not your conventional "smile for the camera" look, is it?
Betty from New Jersey, United States
Stunning portrait, Bill... excellent capture of his look of frustration!
15 May 2009 12:10pm
@Betty: Thank you Betty - glad you liked it, and appreciate the visit and comment.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
So full of emotion and expression. The clarity of this image is stunning, such a beautiful capture!
15 May 2009 12:15pm
@bluechameleon: Thank you Blue! Glad the image was clear and stunning for you - wasnt' an easy photo to take from the distance involved.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Excellent shot....his eyes are so crisp and clear, and what an expression you caught on his face.....I can understand your wanting to have maximized the IS feature....but this shot is nothing to sneeze at!!!
15 May 2009 1:42pm
@Susan: Or, if I sneezed, wouldn't have been much to look at: thanks for the kind words on the sharpness: considering the technical challenges of the long lens, and soft light.
@jeri: Thanks Jeri! Hope you visit again. It's great to see someone comment from outside the AM3 community. Welcome!
jim from sebastopol, United States
this is a beautiful photo, i see quiet contemplation in his eyes
15 May 2009 2:12pm
@jim: Thank you Jim - glad the expression made it into the photo: you can tell he is definitely thinking!
Mariana from waterloo, Canada
Wow.. eye to eye contact with your beautiful model ..ha ha ..How were you able to take a shot so clearly , so close to this big guy ? That is stunning !!!
15 May 2009 3:06pm
@Mariana: The secret to getting close was a long lens, a steady monopod, and some patience to wait for the crowds at the zoo to move aside so I had a better shot from the distant fence. Being a fixed focal length, and a small access area without glass - the framing was pretty much whatever you could get: and yet, it turned out pretty good. Glad you liked this photo, and very kind to say it's stunning.
Claudia from Illinois, United States
I was so relieved to read your story behind this photo and learn that the father is frustrated . At first, his expression looked so sad it was breaking my heart. Love this portrait!
15 May 2009 3:45pm
@Claudia: Glad I included the story - hate to have you start the weekend with a broken heart! Thanks for the kind words on the portrait.
B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States
What a face. He does look sad. Well done.
15 May 2009 3:58pm
@B. Thomas: Thanks Barbara - glad you saw his feelings from his expressions.
observing from North West, United Kingdom
The facial expression says it all.... and I'm sure there is intelligence behind those eyes..!
15 May 2009 4:38pm
@observing: he also is showing very patient resolve - waiting for his kid: glad he has patience to go with that intelligence.
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
Completely magnificent. I can't ever recall seeing an image that captured the refined beauty and intelligence of these creatures any better. Excellent!
15 May 2009 4:50pm
@Stephen Phillips: Thanks Stephen - coming from a master portrait photographer, that is very kind for you to say. I guess it's easier from 200 feet away with a large lens than up close as you must do for your models?
@Ana Lúcia: Yes, Ana - I was very happy to see his feelings so clearly expressed.
Marie-Hélène Ammor from Casablanca/Paris, Morocco
A great portrait !Very close but everything is there ,the expression of face ,the position !
15 May 2009 6:02pm
@Marie-Hélène Ammor: Thank you Marie-Helene - the magic of telephoto: I was probably 150 feet away, or more: so the expression is a natural one, not really aware of my presence.
Dulcie from Danville, United States
He looks somewhat impatient but mostly resigned....a lot like all parenting. Great sharp textures and beautiful eyes!
15 May 2009 7:30pm
@Dulcie: Yes, I get that feeling from time to time - but more often than not, being a parent is a proud moment: and only occasionally do I have to cross my arms, and wait! Thanks for the kind words on the photo.
@Onlymehdi: Mehdi, thanks!
@john4jack: Thanks Jack!
Lee from Fort Frances Ontario, Canada
He does look a little frustrated. Great shot Bill.
16 May 2009 3:40am
@Lee: He's just a dad, with a teenage son. I guess the look comes natural by then! Thanks for the kind words.
@Eleftheria: Thanks, glad you liked it!
dkc from Xanthi, Greece
Oh great portrait! I think he misses the quality time that they both spend when his son was just a kid...He just realise that he must leave him walk his own path now! Seems really sad to me and the expression is so close to human...excellent and of course 5 stars here....
16 May 2009 9:31am
@dkc: Yeah - it must be a quality time issue! I did think the expression was human as well - glad you liked it enough for five stars.
sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
What a serious face. He doesn't look especially happy.
16 May 2009 2:15pm
@sherri: Most parents have to resort to this look when waiting - the alternative would be even more exhausted parents. what fun it is to have children !
Barbara from Florida, United States
Outstanding portrait. Excellent clarity in the eyes. His expression is focused almost a daydream, perhaps pondering of when he was young he was very much like his son.
A remarkable image to be proud of, Bill.
I somewhat agree with Matt's comment about the arm. It is part of the body language with the expression. With only part of the arm in the frame it gives minor distraction.
It is so difficult to be critical in any way because this is a superb image.
The eyes captivate me, making me not wanting to leave.
(Early this morning I wrote a comment that disappeared when I clicked submit, apparently during the time I was writing the comment, AM3 was updating and closed the site by the time I finished.)
16 May 2009 6:04pm
@Barbara: Thanks for coming back a second time and writing such a great comment Barbara. I agree about the arm, but I wasn't prepared to delete this image for the minor compositional transgression!
Sugata from Newark, United States
What a shot! His expression is completely human... and your text explains it. And thanks for mentioning my photo amnong the ones you liked. Do visit my blog for more!
16 May 2009 7:56pm
@Sugata: I plan to drop by your blog often - you have some great photos, and I bet someday you will surpass your dad's ability.
@Jean Jacques: Thanks Jean Jacques. It is amazing how human his expression can be.
Ajay from Pune, India
Yes... that definitely looks like a look of an angry dad. Amazing how animals can also get irritated with their children's behavior.
17 May 2009 6:23pm
@Ajay: I am always shocked at how human the Gorilla's expressions can be - there is no doubt to me what he was thinking. thanks for dropping by so consistently with great comments.
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
Very strong composition here. I like how your eye goes from his face to his hand crossed over his chest. Amazing! Love it! The detail is superb!!!
18 May 2009 2:46am
@Magda: Glad you like it - it was a hard photo to capture from 50 meters away - I am always so amazed at how human the expressions of these animals when I watch them.
starCosmosBleu from bedford.Qc, Canada
Impressive shot...like if he was thinking about a situation..maybe analyzing the photographer?...lovely
20 May 2009 2:40pm
@starCosmosBleu: it may be he was aware of the photographer - but with the longer lens, pretty confident he was annoyed by his son !!! thanks for the kind words on the photo.
Jenn from Winnipeg, Canada
what a character. I see wisdom in that beautiful face. A wonderful photograph.
24 May 2009 4:22pm
@Jenn: Thanks Jenn - I had fun trying to pick a gorilla for his portrait. The eldest (this photo) seemed wisest to me.
Kris from Superior, United States
What a capture. He looks like some old-timer, contemplating the moment! Great shot, Bill, and wonderful comp!
27 May 2009 12:00pm
@Kris: Glad you like it - it was one of my favorite shots from the zoo visit that day. I had never used a lens so long until that day: so I was quite happy with the sharpness that resulted.
apple8 from Dublin, Ireland
Didn't know you knew my Dad Bill !! - This is a great shot - Great expression
28 May 2009 11:45am
@apple8: It's amazingly human, isn't it? Glad you liked the shot. Thanks for the walking through some of the older photos.
Canon EOS 30D
1/320 second
F/4.0
ISO 800
420 mm