The Stare

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 9, 201162 views6 comments

Hi all,

Big male baboons can be very intimidating, and I wanted to capture this with a full-on portrait. Taken at our campsite in Nakuru - lots of close shaves with stolen breakfast!

thanks,

Billy

techs: 7d, 420mm, f8, 1/320mm, iso 800, handheld.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on June 9, 2011 at 1:09 PM

I can almost see right into its brain. A fine portrait, Billy. Those close set, sharp eyes and long snoot are really something. Looks mean. Nice job on the techs.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Margaret Summers on June 9, 2011 at 5:54 PM

Hi Billy; nice closeup. This looks like the same baboon I saw in Tanzania in April!

Registered on May 24, 2011, 54 Posts, 99 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on June 10, 2011 at 12:26 AM

Cool portrait Billy

The head-on look with that intense stare works very well. Personally I would give this a bit more punch by increasing mid-tone contrast a bit.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 10, 2011 at 8:36 AM

Hey Billy,

OK - the thumbnail on this one does NOT do the image justice! I like this - cool how the eyes are shaded and "understated" yet still grab one's attention. I also like the subtleties of the lighting and the muted colours. Well done!

I think you ALMOST nailed the DOF perfectly here - personally (in that perfect world

) I'd like to see just a LITTLE more to bring the ridge above the nostrils into focus (and the out-of-focus nature of this region is most noticeable on the larger version)...but the image still works well as posted.

Cheers...thanks for sharing...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on June 10, 2011 at 7:42 PM

Absolutely stunning portrait Billy. Great detail, very very engaging image. Well done!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Billy Fairburn on June 12, 2011 at 3:12 AM

Thanks for the comments guys!

Registered on March 3, 2007, 123 Posts, 717 Comments