A number of years ago Heather @pixelchix and I served as the local zoo's official photographers. I have always had very mixed feelings about zoos in general but thankfully zoo conditions in general are improving. My eyes were also gratefully opened to the absolutely incredible amount of conservation work they do behind the scenes. While it saddens me to see so many magnificent creatures behind glass, I also am aware that without zoos many of these would perish. Indeed, a number of species have been brought from the brink of extinction because of them. It was amazing to be granted special access to the animals, getting up close and personal with most of them. ...The director wouldn't let us in the tiger enclosure, however. I don't know why.
Anyway, this was from a different, but excellent zoo in Santa Barbara. I was quite drawn to this gorilla, however their staff wouldn't let us in with this big guy, either, even with our "connections." Whatev. Instead, they made me shoot behind thick, dirty glass without much light which meant processing this was rather an exercise in polishing a turd. Thankfully this zoo didn't need the image...
Laughed out loud at your narrative!! I'm going to the zoo on Wednesday, any tips please for shooting through glass . It will almost certainly be dull and raining.
It is sad to see these magnificent animals in cages even though the conditions have improved immensely, but as you say there is some amazing conservation work being done in zoos.
Gorgeous photo despite the required polishing. I too am very conflicted about the pros versus cons of keeping animals in zoos.
I ask myself, if they were given the choice of living like that, in order to help their species survive, what would their choice be.
Wonderful melancholy photo and excellent narrative, with which I agree. Zoos make me sad, but they do some good work. And, think of the wonder in a child's eyes as she feeds a cracker to a giraffe! Priceless! Could be the start of many an avid conservationist right there!
I agree with others that it has a melancholy feeling to it. I think the photo turned out well. Interesting life you have led. I'm thankful for zoos because I would never have been able to see most of the animals any other way.
I have heard similar things regarding the conservation zoos do. This by a photographer on a radio interview. You've still captured a great picture here.
The great apes always seem so human-like. The Sacramento Zoo use to have special days when they gave the orangutans, gorillas, and chimps and some of the other animals things to “play” with. They always seemed to welcome the diversion.
He looks like he’s not happy with being photographed through dirty glass either. So good to be reminded re the conservation efforts because, like you, it is so hard to see animals contained
Fabulous polishing of turd by the way!!
I ask myself, if they were given the choice of living like that, in order to help their species survive, what would their choice be.