I was able to visit mountain gorillas twice on this recent trip. You never know where the gorillas are going to be or how long it will take to find them. But once found, you only have an hour to visit — which park rangers are very strict about. That said, as a photographer I’m always praying for overcast light (a dark furred animal, in a forest, in bright sunshine, without the ability to use flash, is a deadly combination). Both days presented just such a lighting challenge. So be it. I had to work around the light and use longer focal length lenses, trying to get the gorillas in mostly full shade. Occasionally they complied. For this rare wide-angle shot, it wasn’t exactly full shade, but good enough for a somewhat even exposure. This is one of three silverbacks (mature males) in the family of nine individual gorillas we visited. He may look fierce (and in need of dental work) but he was simply letting out a big yawn. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (at 43mm) ISO 2500, f/2.8 at 1/320th of a second.
Terrific exposure for what you had to work with. But the highlights hardly matter because all eyes are on that face. Great pose, great timing, and superb result!
Thanks Michael. I was hoping to really put my new 24-70 to the test on the wide end. This was about as wide as I was able to go, but with gorillas, it can be all about the facial expressions. Hard not to get decent shots.
What a jarring photo to start my day!! My first thougt was wondering if you were in any danger until I read your commentary! Now that my heart rate has dropped. great photo!!
I’m glad for you he was tired, and four us, you were close. I can’t even imagine how fast my pulse rate, and my excitement, would be , being that close to these amazing creatures.
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I was able to visit mountain gorillas twice on this recent trip. You never know where the gorillas are going to be or how long it will take to find them. But once found, you only have an hour to visit — which park rangers are very strict about. That said, as a photographer I’m always praying for overcast light (a dark furred animal, in a forest, in bright sunshine, without the ability to use flash, is a deadly combination). Both days presented just such a lighting challenge. So be it. I had to work around the light and use longer focal length lenses, trying to get the gorillas in mostly full shade. Occasionally they complied. For this rare wide-angle shot, it wasn’t exactly full shade, but good enough for a somewhat even exposure. This is one of three silverbacks (mature males) in the family of nine individual gorillas we visited. He may look fierce (and in need of dental work) but he was simply letting out a big yawn. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (at 43mm) ISO 2500, f/2.8 at 1/320th of a second.
Terrific exposure for what you had to work with. But the highlights hardly matter because all eyes are on that face. Great pose, great timing, and superb result!
Thanks Michael. I was hoping to really put my new 24-70 to the test on the wide end. This was about as wide as I was able to go, but with gorillas, it can be all about the facial expressions. Hard not to get decent shots.
I agree with the above comment. Well done, Sean!
Thanks Sue.
He is so powerful looking. Are they as strong as they look?
Very much so. According to Karen’s Dad, a silverback is 20 times stronger than a human.
Love the shot!!!
Thanks Bill.
I’m loving all these pictures! What a trip!
We got some good ones Mel. More on the way, including of all of us.
Wonderful shot!!!
Appreciate it Rick.
Yes he looks fierce!
No doubt, Donna, and I’m sure can be, but in this instance, a harmless yawn.
What a jarring photo to start my day!! My first thougt was wondering if you were in any danger until I read your commentary! Now that my heart rate has dropped. great photo!!
Ha, yeah, this one has a bit of shock factor to it — not to mention that black tongue.
So how many gorillas are on steroids? Is it all of them? Because it looks like it’s all of them.
Only the silverbacks are allowed.
Incredible! Looks like you could have reached out and touched him. But how close are you, really?
We were that close. At times, the gorillas would reach out and touch us, or graze us as they passed.
That guy needs a teeth cleaning!!! Mighty ferocious looking. beast. I wouldn’t want to go toe to toe with the likes of him. Ruthie Rice
No doubt Ruthie. On both counts.
I’m glad for you he was tired, and four us, you were close. I can’t even imagine how fast my pulse rate, and my excitement, would be , being that close to these amazing creatures.
Very exciting indeed.