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This was very much a case of right place right time.


[img]http://www.fototime.com/{76E80151-FAB5-4397-8B92-6DB0FCA95DD1}/picture.JPG[/img]



What do you think. This image is one of my favorites from my South American trip but i was there and saw it happen so it brings back powerful memories. I am iterested in your thoughts on it as a stand alone piece.

Cheers
WW

WW my first thoughts are nice capture of a special moment.
To add a C&C, IMHO I think that because the face of the chimp is not seen then I would crop the picture to just include the hands. i want to see the chimps face to see what he/she is thinking.

As Mal said a crop to just show the hands would be a wonderful addition.

Excellent and I agree with Mal

Wow - touching is right, maybe I'm a real softie (well, I know I am), but this shot actually got me in the pit of the stomach. Touching, but so extremely sad - I think the thought of these beautiful animals in a cage is all the more distressing knowing that they are so closely related to us - and we are the ones who put them in the cage.

Beautifully caught, but for me personally, a touch distressing (and I'm sure I'll probably be the only one who feels that way), but beautifully caught just the same

Rel

Nice capture - did you chimp this after shooting it?

WW, lovely shot but I agree I cropped it (by scrolling down) and found it much more dramatic with jus the hands and arms, and no chimp head.
But your dead right it is a very touching moment...

blacknstormy wrote:Wow - touching is right, maybe I'm a real softie (well, I know I am), but this shot actually got me in the pit of the stomach. Touching, but so extremely sad - I think the thought of these beautiful animals in a cage is all the more distressing knowing that they are so closely related to us - and we are the ones who put them in the cage.

Beautifully caught, but for me personally, a touch distressing (and I'm sure I'll probably be the only one who feels that way), but beautifully caught just the same

Rel

Rel - I totally agree with you. Made me so sad tonight reliving what was a very emotional experience on the day. The conditions at the zoo for the chimps were not flash.

Geoff wrote:Nice capture - did you chimp this after shooting it?

HA! There may have been some post shoot chimping .

I personally think cropping this would be insane!

The cropped version does not carry enough DOF to really work. Only the chimps hand is sharp and for the shot to come off, I really believe you need the sharpness on both hands.
However, I see nothing at all wrong with the way it is. I think it's a great shot and could not possibly tell a story better in any other way than how it has already been presented.
You first see the hands, then see the bars of the cage, your mind now understands the situation, you lastly notice the face and the slight look of anguish.

Many may not agree with my opinions but I think you have a great shot here and to crop it would only destroy it's message!
Leave the hand stuff for weddings!

Edit: The point I am trying to make is, I think people are thinking in a "cliché" mindset. ie: "pretty, pretty"
To get the "message" of this pic across, the original works better. "oh, the poor monkey!"

I think this is a terrific photo that really conveys a sense of sadness on the chimps part, and also a sense of compassion from the human aspect. I really like this photo.

Thanks for sharing!

It's a very strong photo and i like it a lot.

Great shot WW, very strong.

Really emotive image and I am in two minds about the crop but I am leaning towards a square crop. If the ape (not monkey ) had been closer to the bars, then I would leave it in but he/she isn't so I think the "hands only" wins! I strongly suggest that you submit this in the Photojournalism category of the Black and White Spider Awards for 2006. It would win "hands down"

Cheers
Sheila

i like the pic as is and
i also like the cropped version so

do both !!

a very meaningful image, an opportunity that doesn't come easily, very well captured, you should be proud.

Taken seconds before the ape rips his arm off.