Alone in a crowd

[Sheila Smart]

Took a trip to Taronga zoo on my day off:



Comments and critique welcome.

Cheers
Sheila

[Alpha_7]

The monkey was the last thing I noticed, but Shelia you've done it again... wow! I think this would be a good shot even without the monkey but it adds a whole new element and emotion to the shot.

On my work CRT the contrast is a little lacking (but it isn't calibrated) I'd prefer blacker blacks on my screen anyways.

Great shot.

[owen]

Hi Sheila.

I like the image but I think a better image in my opinion would be a crop of the kids in the middle. I have a feeling that you wanted to focus the viewers attention on these kids anyway, but there are a few other distractions. If you cropped everything else out I think it would be a great shot.

CHeers,
Owen.

[radar]

Sheila,

very brave to go to the zoo during school holidays

You really capture the feeling of that poor chimp. It is being totally ignored even while being the closest

B&W works nicely here as well.

Cheers,
André

[Sheila Smart]

Hi Sheila.

I like the image but I think a better image in my opinion would be a crop of the kids in the middle. I have a feeling that you wanted to focus the viewers attention on these kids anyway, but there are a few other distractions. If you cropped everything else out I think it would be a great shot.

CHeers,
Owen.

My focus was entirely on the chimp, the humans behind him was purely a backdrop to his somewhat poignant isolation.

Cheers
Sheila

[owen]

Hi Sheila.

I like the image but I think a better image in my opinion would be a crop of the kids in the middle. I have a feeling that you wanted to focus the viewers attention on these kids anyway, but there are a few other distractions. If you cropped everything else out I think it would be a great shot.

CHeers,
Owen.

My focus was entirely on the chimp, the humans behind him was purely a backdrop to his somewhat poignant isolation.

Cheers
Sheila

Wow. I'll be honest with you, I didn't even notice the chimp on my first glance! Sorry.

[ozczecho]

Sheila, a great photograph.

I get a sense of isolation, "being in ones own world" when looking at this...even the people "behind the glass" are all doing standing there in isolation and doing their own thing...it is also sad, that the chimp is being totally ignored. Fantastic.

I wouldn't crop a single pixel.

[Sheila Smart]

Hi Sheila.

I like the image but I think a better image in my opinion would be a crop of the kids in the middle. I have a feeling that you wanted to focus the viewers attention on these kids anyway, but there are a few other distractions. If you cropped everything else out I think it would be a great shot.

CHeers,
Owen.

My focus was entirely on the chimp, the humans behind him was purely a backdrop to his somewhat poignant isolation.

Cheers
Sheila

Wow. I'll be honest with you, I didn't even notice the chimp on my first glance! Sorry.

Neither did they! Don't worry, others on my PBase site comments only noticed the chimp at the last minute.
Cheers
Sheila

[Nnnnsic]

Great composition, but I think the black & white conversion is really lacking in this shot.

[Grev]

Great stuff, you're so good at spotting these things...

[sirhc55]

We have in this photo an expose of life. The little girl with her hand to the face who has, by her side, a gentleman recently release from a Gulag with his P&S. Then we have a little boy finger writing on the glass followed by another child totally disinterested. Then the boy in awe with nose to glass. Lastly, the lady and child straight out of Les Miserable.

The chimp - in his/her own world, alone and isolated from the caged animals behind.

The black and white (or should I say greyscale) is perfect IMO and overall I find this image both powerful and sad.

[agriffiths]

Very nice Sheila, I wonder who is in the cage.. the humans or the monkey.
I don't agree with Nnnnsic. I really like the B&W conversion!

[owen]

I think maybe the chimp is a little sad because of recent price of bananas... $12.50 a kilo at our local fruit shop!

[wendellt]

as chris has said so insightfully

a wonderful image with so much to say

[Sheila Smart]

Thanks all. Regarding bananas, we normally feed a couple of brushtail possums with bananas and they are getting sick and tired of apples and pears I can tell you!

Cheers
Sheila

[hangdog]

Can anyone spot the second chimp in the photo?

--Chuan

[pharmer]

A very emotive image Sheila.

Perfect toning for the nature of the subject.

I'd have to say its my favourite image of yours so far (and you've got a lot of great stuff!)

Cheers

[stubbsy]

Sheila

This is far and away the best black and white image I've seen from you.

Superbly spotted and framed.

[Willy wombat]

Sheila - As you know i dont mind a good B+W chimp shot. I think this one is really wonderful. Conversion also works for me.

[blacknstormy]

Don't crop - great the way it is !!!
My heart goes out to the poor monkey
Rel

[Jamie]

So sad but such a great image!

Well done, love it.

[Slider]

Wonderful image Sheila. The chimp's plight is clearly shown. One of your best

[beetleboy]

I love an image that can tell a story..this is one of those novels with lots of interesting short stories!

I wouldn't change a thing, the B&W conversion is perfect.

[Dargan]

Just Perfick!

[SteveGriffin]

Sheila I just love your work. This one tells so many stories it is just wonderful

In awe

[Matt. K]

Sheila
This is an outstanding image....and it's a wonderful element that we only notice the chimp at the last moment. This is the power of this particular photograph. The B&W conversion is excellent.

[Sheila Smart]

Thanks all. It proved to affect folk the way I thought it would.

Cheers
Sheila

[hash77]

What a great photo. I think like everyone else I missed the poor buggah in the corner.