Plight of the Squirrel Monkey

[gahspidy]

I had this image for some time now, and just thought I would throw it out here to know what you think.
Thanks

[Overbeyond]

Your title says it all Gary. The eyes are pleading and the fingers on the cage make it a very touching photo. And the cage is just nicely out of focus.
Tom

[Didache]

It's a lovely pic. Lovely catchlights and the pose of the little creature, with his hand on the cage, has a pleading quality. The pic tells a story. Very clever too putting the monkey on the left - the temptation for many would have been to centre it. Beautifully done. Mike (Didache)

[jcharris]

Hallo Gary

I am glad you you send it .
Very nice photo , the composition of the monkey is great .
Just wondering if you could rotate the photo a bit more horizontal .
Oh yes , the reflections in his eyes are beautiful !

Regards
james

[gahspidy]

Tom, Didache, and James. . .thanks for the time to express your thoughts on this.
James, as for the straightening the imge, I felt that it was important, for me, that the monkey be straight up in a dignified manner, and the bars could fall horizontally in an undignified way. Something like " Monkey good, Cage bad" I tried it a few different ways and I felt that this had the best Mood that came out from it. But glad you brought that up as I would like to know what others feel about that aspect.
btw, I have nothing against Zoos,and this image is really only capturing a short moment in time. The rest of the time these monkeys were enjoying themselves and playing and really having a great time and so was eveyone watching them.They appear to be very happy in their environment. I support the Wildlife Conservation Society which runs this Zoo ( Bronx Zoo) as well as a few others and the New York Aquarium. They do a great service for these animals and for us to aquaint ourselves with one another in a peaceful and controlled environment.

[LeeIs]

Great shot gary. It conveys the message very well. Those beautiful round eyes almost make me wanna cry

[jar_e]

Very nice shot, black and white definately works for this shot.

Nice shooting,

Jared

[natefromri]

Gary: You have done an excellent job here! I love the monkey's expression as it looks directly at you. Good choice to utilize black and white too! Thanks for posting.

--Nate

[gahspidy]

Liban, Jared, Nate, thanks for your thoughts on this. Any thoughts on the aspect of the cage not being straight with the frame? ( The horizontal bars)

[Tuna]

Good lord!! How did I miss this??

SET HIM FREEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Sorry, Gary. And now, back to the image. Nice catch-lights in his/her eyes - great tonal control in a very low contrast situation - beautiful capture. And the bars do not bother me - I did not notice them until mentioned.

Tuna

[LeeIs]

yeah, I also didn't notice the bars and they don't bother me at all now that I notice the slant.

[ShotsbyScott]

Nice shot Gary! I also agree with Tuna's opening comments.

Scott

[gahspidy]

Tuna, Liban, Scott . . .glad to know your take on this.
lol Hey Tuna, seems this shot hit a sensitive nerve with you. . . .I've never witnessed this level of emotion from you before ;)

[villenadecorte]

Great Shot Gary.
Poor little bugger. His hand is what gets me the most. Little fingers grasping.
I really enjoy this shot in b/w... makes it what it is. The slightly out of focus cage is perfect.
The offset cage bars really adds to this.
Rebekah
VillenaDeCorte

[PlantedTao]

This is one of the most emoitional photos I have seen on this forum and by the reaction of others I'm not the only one. This photo has many great qualities, like how the composition is spot on...but my favorite part is how it brings out emotions in others and makes people pause and think.
What a sad, sad picture

But great job on capturing this moment. Cheers.

[marcus]

This is outstanding. The monkey is in focus and prominent while the background is soft, dark, and mysterious. The bars are not presented in a typical grid mode, and this supports the idea that the monkey's world is out of kilter.

[ckozo]

Liban, Jared, Nate, thanks for your thoughts on this. Any thoughts on the aspect of the cage not being straight with the frame? ( The horizontal bars)

haven't logged in a long time, but had to for this photo!!!

excellent composition and mood. now, the bars ---- i think it is good that they are not horizontal and indeed slope TOWARD the monkey. the sloping bar leads your eyes to the monkey (as if anyone needs that help). if the bar sloped the other direction or were completely level, you wouldn't have that (minor?) effect. a simple graphic design element being put to good use.

great photo, but does make me sad. let's let them all free (but only if we leave some habitat for them!!)

cheers.

[gahspidy]

Rebekah, Tao, Marcus, ckozo. . . .glad to know your thoughts on it. Yes, I felt the bars were most effective this way as i had described previously. Marcus, welcome to the forum. Your description of the bars effect on the image shows me your one ofstrong analysis and i look forward to more exchange of thoughts with you in the future. ckozo. . .good to see you back here. I had not thought of that aspect of the bars sloping towrd the subject, but yes, it does seem to add to the composition.

[readingr]

Gary,

This is another cracking good photo and all I want to do is take him home and give hime some space.

Excellent