This is my favorite shot from the Bronx Zoo GTG. Taken handheld through glass with a 70-200mm f/4L lens and 1.4x teleconverter.
Only a heated natural vs. zoo debate in the forums kept me from submitting this one for the Wildlife challenge. I really wish the group I was with had stayed around the gorillas longer, because there were some great photo opportunities.
This is truly a wonderful photo of a magnificent animal and you really should have entered it in the "Best of 2004" Challenge. I am impressed not only with the DOF, the sharpness of the photo and the expression you managed to capture, but also the fact that you managed to do all of this and not capture any reflection whatsoever from the glass.
To start you have a good exposure, which is the most important with apes. You've got good details in the fur and face, and the eyes are shiny with good catchlights. The diagonal he is laying in as well as the wood carries the eye easily through the image. It looks like he is an adolescent so the pose would be typical and shows a glimpse of personality. The background is well blurred and complimentary to the image, not giving away signs of being taken in the zoo. The only nitpick are the white areas at the top that keep trying to pull my eyes toward them as they are the lightest area of the frame.
Personally, I think this would have won wildlife. It is an amazing shot clarity wise, teh expression is perfect, and it is cropped so there is some background (actually whatever he is lying on) and the background is blurred enough to cover any zoo artifacts, but not so much that it looks unnatural.
Excellent, excellent, and excellent. Shame about the zoo v. wild debate-- even so, I think this would have fared pretty well!! But I can't wait to see your actual entry! :)
Wait, you did this handheld? Now I'm REALLY impressed.
It's a terrific shot, Shannon. The composition is wonderful and unique. Usually they are standing, swinging, jumping, or moving around in some way. I like his relaxed look. Kind of wonder what he may be thinking. Nice colors and dof.
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