Monkey

[Joe's_Nikkon]

Ok, so I took this shot at the zoo in Munich. I love this shot because it shows his focus on me & what I was doing. Even though I love this shot, theres is something inside of me that tells me I can do something better or there is maybe something I can do with post production.

I need your critique to help me know what I can do or not do. Maybe it's just me, but I know someone wil have something to say and thats what I need.



Nikon D60
Sigma 70-300 mm
ISO 200
Focal Length 240 mm
0 EV
Aperture f/5.3
Exposure 1/200
No Flash
Tripod used
Manual Mode

[Steve Atkins]

Its a nice shot, you are right about his focus right at the camera - it really draws you in.

But i found that for me the problem with it was the massive log, it just looms and is really distracting, i doubt it is fixable in post, but maybe consider re-framing a shot like this next time.

[Vernian]

Getting animal shots is hard so you've done well to get one showing the monkey's engagement with you.

However the log in front is a problem as mentioned before - mostly I think because it looks like the log is sharper than your subject. Not much you can do now, though if you feel comfortable with a tool such as photoshop or gimp you can use gausian blur on layers to make sure the log is not so sharp and maybe something like unsharpen mask to sharpen the monkey.

The other problem I see with this shot is that you subject's face is so much in the shadow its hard to see. This can easily be fixed post by using the dodge tool.

Please note though, it is always better to get this right in camera, so my most important suggestion would be to go to the zoo again (and besides any excuse to go is a good excuse ) . But if you really like this photo that much then the above pp will make it better.

[Isiliel]

Originally Posted by Vernian

Please note though, it is always better to get this right in camera

I strongly agree with this comment, however, if you cannot go back, I believe you can get rid of the log, depending on your photoshop skills.
It's only a small portion of it's head hiding behind the log, and all it's features are intact. The background wont give you any trouble at all.

You can duplicate the left side of the image, flip it horizontally and then work your way from there, by masking and cloning.
(If I have your permission, I could give it a try for you).

However, you will end up with a centered white monkey, in front of a whitish background.