Gorilla in Zoo

[kmlucy]

I took this the other day at the Atlanta zoo. I'm new to the forums, can I just get some comments on how to improve?
Thanks, Kyle



EXIF:
Camera: Nikon D80 with 55-200 f/4-5.6 VR
Exposure: 1/30
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 200 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Did not fire

[wmbtaylor]

Nice picture but if you have Photoshop or some other program you should try to lighten up the eyes. I don't know how to do it personally but I have seen tutorials on here and on other websites. You might do a search or I am sure some one will come along and show before long.

One day I will get photoshop.

[inkista]

That's a really nice shot. Good expression, good feel for the subject.

A little post processing to bump up contrast/saturation might make it a little more pleasing.

But in terms of the shooting, I actually would've increased the iso a little, stopped down to f/8 for a little added sharpness and increased the shutter speed--you're skating a little close to the limits of what your VR can do for you, especially as you're at the long end of the lens, and it looks like there's a tiny bit of motion blur. Don't worry, the D80 can handle up to iso 400 and 800 just fine.

Most lens are at their weakest wide open. Closing down the aperture a stop or two can often improve sharpness. Your 55-200 has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 @200mm, so you're shooting wide open on this shot. That's why I mention f/8.

Secondly, without stabilization, the rule of thumb is to get your shutter speed to 1/focal_length or faster to eliminate camera shake blur. With a 200mm lens, that means 1/200s. For me, stablization in a lens, despite marketing claims, can really only be counted on for two stops of correction, and in this case that would be 1/50s, and you're just under that. In addition 1/30s is slow enough that if the gorilla moves, you can have subject motion blur as well.

[lowbone]

You have allot of room above the gorillas head. It would have been a better photo if you had used that room and not cut off the gorillas feet.

[Nathan deGargoyle]

Hi Kyle and welcome. Lovely shot of a very moody gorilla.

inkista and lowbone have pretty much covered the technical critique but you also need to think about how you present yourself here.

Not so long ago this was the sort of site where everyone knew everyone and you could look at every post every day. These days the site has grown so much that that isn't posssible so if you want your photo to be seen you have to give your thread a little oomph and I'm afraid Goriila at the Zoo doesn't do it. I almost skippeed this thread cos there have been a load of zoo gorilla threads. I'm glad I didn't but promote yourself! You know you're worth it!

[kmlucy]

thanks for all the advice, i actually forgot about my iso while i was there, as i was also concentrating on some other things at the same time, and i realized it when i got back to the computer.
thanks, kyle