A Chimp a Lioness a Parrot and an Owl

[Alpha_7]

A few more shots from the Zoo.

[phillipb]

These are all great Craig, but for some reason I kept going back to the first one. Maybe because it's so unusual, but I think it's my pick of the bunch.

[dawesy]

Lovin the first one. Nice take on our nearest relative and really shows the similarity of them to us with just the hand.

Nice.

[Glen]

Craig, I also like the first one of your hand, it is like you have a $1 coin in there you are not telling Katie about.

[Geoff]

 ROFL Glen. 'your hand'

Great stuff Craig, I personally like #2 the best.

[stubbsy]

Craig

#1 is inspired. It shows you are really developing a great eye for the shot. It's particularly strong not just because the hand is so sharp and dominating in the scene, but because you've chosen an angle where there is that pool of light behind the hand to provide great contrast.

I think the "humanness" of the hand really rounds things out and reminds us just how close we are in evolutionary terms to this fella.

[ozimax]

Wonderful colour here Craig, #1 looks like a leather glove of sorts, quite an amazing crop. The parrot is excellent too. Were these taken with 70-200 VR?

[ozimax]

P.S. Are you enjoying your 22" widescreen monitor?

[Aussie Dave]

Craig,
All four are great images, though #4 is the weakest IMO (eye contact or with the owl's head turned more in your direction would have made for a stronger image).

I agree with Stubbsy though, no. 1 is very well composed and wonderfully exposed. Bordering within that fine line of over-exposing the highlights of the fingers, yet keeping enough detail in the darker area of the palm and side of the hand....very well done !

My only query for #1 is that the blur in the background seems to have a weird sort of radial-type pattern to it. I'm assuming this was shot through glass or perspex, which is giving this illusion ??

A personal photo journey by you would be interesting to read/see. Perhaps something to consider.....

[Alpha_7]

OziMax - Photos where taken with the 80-200 2.8 (except for the first which was D70 and 18-200VR) , I haven't yet "invested in the 70-200VR, but it's never far from the top of my list The 22" widescreen is good, I don't like it for photo review, but the extra realestate is nice for games and for general "power browsing".

Craig,
All four are great images, though #4 is the weakest IMO (eye contact or with the owl's head turned more in your direction would have made for a stronger image).

I completely agree, actually I'm pretty sure I have some others with eye contact, so I'm not sure why I chose that one to put in, other then it shows how big and bulbous the eyes on the owl are. But your right it's a poor choice.

I agree with Stubbsy though, no. 1 is very well composed and wonderfully exposed. Bordering within that fine line of over-exposing the highlights of the fingers, yet keeping enough detail in the darker area of the palm and side of the hand....very well done !

My only query for #1 is that the blur in the background seems to have a weird sort of radial-type pattern to it. I'm assuming this was shot through glass or perspex, which is giving this illusion ??

Shot through very thick glass /perspective that was actually sunlight so very challenging to shoot through.. I almost didn't get the shot due to the bustle and pushing from the crowd to get near the window. (Weekends aren't the best for Zoo trips I think).

A personal photo journey by you would be interesting to read/see. Perhaps something to consider.....

Thanks Mate, I'm definitely considering it, but I'd like to do a pretty comphrensive job, so it's a big undertaking, I've actually gone back to some of the first shots I posted here when I first joined,and its funny to see the difference.

[johnd]

Craig, #1 is a cracker.
The others are good too, but are pretty much standard zoo shots IMHO.

Cheers
John

[colin_12]

Craig I agree with most that #1 is a great effort. Top shot.
Regards Colin

[Oscar]

I like them all Craig. #1 is a stunner and sort of makes the others pale away by comparison. Posted separately they all would have looked strong.
Great set of shots!

Cheers, Mick

[Matt. K]

Craig

Number one is bloody excellent! Poignant. Well done mate.

[bwhinnen]

Have to agree, 1 is the pick of this by a long long long shot! It is a brilliant capture! Well done Craig!

[Alpha_7]

Thanks for the feedback, I think I got pretty luck in the first shot, and am happy with the results, as my first time shooting at the zoo, I'm really looking forward to go again, better prepared.