Can you spell "CUTE"??

[Morkel Erasmus]

During our recent trip to Kruger, we spent a few minutes by the roadside with this young fella (probably just a few days old). He was quite amused by this twig sticking out of the ground and proceeded to fiddle with it and try to chew it (with no teeth). His mom tried to keep him close to her chest but he kept climbing off and very unsteadily on his newborn legs scampered the few steps back to the twig.

It was quite an experience to witness this little guy. I've got a few photos but liked this one best. They were sitting about 3 meters from the vehicle and in long grass so I tried to get an angle that was the least cluttered.

The sweet morning light also assisted in making this shot special. I applied some slight Gaussian blur to the background as it was quite close to the baboon.

Techs:
Canon 1000D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f8.0 @ 1/125 SS (thanks Canon for IS!) @ ISO 400

[Harshad Barve]

this is such a cute image
TFS

[Deborah Harrison]

Great lighting and outstanding cuteness factor. I would like to see him a little more over to the left, he currently occupies half the frame, you might benefit by adding canvas to the right or cropping a bit on the left.

Will be in South Africa in 5 weeks - can't wait!!

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for viewing and commenting guys & gals!

@ Deborah - I had to crop that way since the mother was sitting in the frame on that side (you can still see her in the corner top right). I decided not to meddle too much with cloning etc on this image, I wanted to show it as I saw it.

@ Peter - this was really the only channel through the grass where the face of the little guy was clearly visible :)

[Kiran Khanzode]

A very innocent face...great work getting rid of most of the clutter for the comp.

[Charles Glatzer]

This image has wonderful impact, with the so called (less than ideal?) lighting adding greatly to the overall feeling.

Best,

Chas

[Roman Kurywczak]

HiMorkel,
I'm with Chas regarding the light....I think it adds in this case to the mood. Like Peter, I wish the grass wasn't in front of the hand but I did see that it was your only window. Not too bad considering the obstacles you had.

[Charles Glatzer]

Cool hairdo ! Too bad a grass is blocking the right hand. The less then ideal light angle renders the unlit parts of the body a little bit dull. But, the center of attention is the face and that looks cool.

Peter,

I do agree that the subject could be a bit better oriented to the light source, but...

If the lighting drew you to the subjects face, which is the idea...why would you consider the lighting less than ideal? Front lighting works for some images, but it is not the end all. I find it best to use the lighting that best illustrates my vision and how I want to effectively define the subject and communicate a mood, etc to the viewer. Photography is a communicative art form and light is the means by which we tell the story.

Respectfully,

Chas

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for viewing and the great discussion Chas, Roman & Kiran :)

[Morkel Erasmus]

you certainly are Peter. I understood your point. I also wished for a tad more light on the body overall but am glad for the way the face was illuminated.

[David Fletcher]

The light splashes the face enough to say or show what is needed. Nice cute shot and love that hairdo. That'll do fine sir!

[Charles Glatzer]

I think I am saying something in the same direction, just using other words. I think that the body could have used a little more light, but emphasise that the face is looking tops. I do hope I am entitled to express my opinion.

Peter,

It is all just opinion :), as their are no definitives. I too think we are on the same page.

Chas

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Dave...

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Morkel
I feel the lighting is perfect for this. The only thing that kind of distracts is the OOF branch blocking the hand. Probably not much you could have done bro. It is super! :)

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks a lot Akos!