the dreamer

PDE

Wonderful portrait!!!

Hi Art

You know I enjoy your style.My problem with this shot is the eyes.They just dont seem to be sharp Im not sure if its me or its just natural for most people to go right to the eyes? I know I do.It seems the sharp area is about an inch behind the eyes.I tell you this becuase I think its the right thing to do.Like Ive said before JUST MY OPINION.Other wise this is really super.

Chris

Amazing!

Thank you to everyone for your feedback and ratings. They're much appreciated. Chris, I always enjoy your point of view and any advice /thoughts/opinion you can offer are always welcomed. Given that you work is just so damn good your insight is always valid in helping me improve.  More of it I say :)

I have looked at this image for a while but can't see the eyes out of focus. In fact I can see sharpness from the hand across to the eyes with the exception of the left nostril and corner of the mouth (I dont know how that came to be since there's sharpness on the hand and then right across to the upper right eye and cheek).

Could it be that the light has created a white wash effect giving the perception of out of focus? I'm not sure.

I agree that when attempting such shot the eyes should be the primary focal point (I try to apply this to all nature shots too).

Superb light and processing, I think the eyes are sharp , but maybe the large amount of reflected light from them detracts from this to some degree. Am I the only one that tried to turn my head upside down to see the expression of this beautiful creature, I'll bet I'm not! : - )

Wonderful series!

Best Regards

Alf

Alf you are not the only one trying to turn your head. 

Hi Art,

 I have been turning my head right and left and still feel not comfortable.  I think it is because the head is in an angle downwards.  For me sharpness is Ok. 

I have some doubts about this one, but you stay the king of the apes on PN

 :-) 

Ben

WoW...An amazing Shot Art....Beautiful...

Wow- this is an intense character study that has some very provocative features, visually, including the composition/ upside down angle of his face, contrasts of shiny dark detail in the hands and face, the delicate bits of grass and soft fur. I think what's interesting about the eyes is that it feels unresolved to look at them and want to find a focal point there.  It could be that the focus is sufficient, and seems to be, but rather that reflected light means there is less definition than we would expect to find looking at these eyes. Also, this gorilla may have some white-ish cataracts going on- that lead to a kind of filmy covering/ obscuring the detail and adding to reflection. Finally, gorillas, unlike humans, have almost no white sclera around the iris - a unique human feature of eyes- that allows you to see the direction of a gaze more precisely. It may be that our brains expect to 'see' those features (larger pupils, white sclera) and don't see this-  and this is both drawing us to the eyes and unsettling at the same time.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this.

Ann you're absolutely right about gorillas having almost 'no white sclera around the iris'. This feature often causes these magnificent animals to be misunderstood as almost 'evil' and feared when in fact they are far from it.

The retina is clearly visible in both eyes here (little black dots) as she stares right at me, and although the reflected natural light gives the eyes a seemingly blurred effect it's simply a result of that reflective light coupled with early signs of cataracts forming (I know a little about each of the gorillas at Melbourne zoo after speaking with the keepers). Also, if you look closely, you can see the reflection of the surrounding tree line in her eyes (I know this is a small file version but the reflections are still there).

 The reason I chose this composition is because it, somewhat, replicates  mannerisms as close to those she would express in the wild. Given she is a lowland gorilla she could just as easily be found in this position in the wild as in the zoo. On this occasion it was a hot humid day so she found the grass cooling.I watched her for about 2 minutes in the same position as if she was day dreaming.  The 400mm lens allowed me to keep some distance but she still noticed, turned to me and stared.  I found this behaviour interesting and wondered if I had distracted her from her dream as she turned to me and couldn't help but wonder what she could possibly be thinking (hence the title).

This pose is as I found her with her hand over her left shoulder. The image has not been turned in any way shape or form

ok enough said and thanks again everyone :)

Genial retarto, excelente tratamiento. 7, Saludos

Great shot, what a look!

Love the dark surrounding very well.

I think it is a real piece of Artwork, little more need be said after all the other comments, and your explanation above Art is excellent. Kind regards, on this beautiful female Gorilla, Gail