Edition 44: Autumn 2008

The sheer fact that gorilla encounters are so exhilarating and deeply rewarding means that photography skills often go out the window. As well as giving you some insight to these marvellous creatures, Tracey Rich and Andy Rouse provide you with some tips to ensure you come home with pictures worthy of the experience.

Even at the age of six, when I watched King Kong for the first time, I firmly refused to believe that gorillas were nasty roaring monsters. Although I long dreamed of George Schaller and Dian Fossey’s realm, becoming a zoologist in the meantime, it wasn’t until I saw Sir David Attenborough’s whispering encounter with these ancestors in Life on Earth that my desire to see them for myself was galvanised.

Half of the world’s 650 or so wild mountain gorillas live in the Virunga volcanic chain that straddles the borders of Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Towering over 4000m in height, their dormant summits are often obscured by a thick, cold, damp and eerie cloud. The remaining mountain gorillas are found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which sits to the north of the Virungas. The main threats to the gorilla populations are the exploitation of their habitat by local populations, disease and poaching. Snares are removed daily from mountain trails in the DRC and the groups are constantly monitored and tracked to protect them. Sadly, these incredible animals continue to be victimised, and eight gorilla deaths in the DRC were reported in 2007 alone.

Whether it is their vulnerability, or simply their majestic gaze, the mountain gorillas are spellbinding. An encounter with them will leave you mesmerised, and with a new-found respect for the other creatures we share our planet with.

Big Brother
Canon EOS 1DS MK2 DSLR, 300mm F4L lens, ISO 800, 1/60th at f4
This image was taken to depict the dense forests these gorillas live in, as well as to capture the feeling of encountering a gorilla in the depths of its environment. It shows a different side to the gorilla and evokes a reaction in all who see it. Low light levels meant using a high ISO rating to keep the shutter speed up – a steady hand was also essential.

Tender Kiss
Canon EOS 5D DSLR, 100-400mm F5.6L lens, ISO 200, 1/80th at f5.6
When viewing great apes you can often feel that you are looking in a mirror. Here, a female tenderly kisses the hand of her week-old baby, just as a human mother would do. Black fur will tend to confuse a camera’s light meter, so using a little minus compensation may help avoid overexposure.

Family Group
Canon EOS 1DS MKII DSLR, 300mm F4L lens, ISO 400, 1/125th at f6.3
Gorillas, like us, are social animals and live in tightly-knit family groups. Headed by the dominant silverback, the group usually consists of several females and associated offspring. This image was purposefully composed to show the family group and the diversity of ages/sexes within gorilla society. As large a depth of field as was possible was used to get the individuals in focus.

Here’s looking at you!
Canon EOS 5D DSLR, 100-400mm f5.6L lens, ISO 200, 1/125th at f6.3
There is an undeniable connection between the great apes (in this case humans and gorillas), and I think that this picture in itself tells this story – there is nothing more special than to be eye to eye with one, and, to be honest, when this happens your f-stops and exposures are the furthest thing from your mind. However, this is all about eye contact, and so ensuring that your focus is placed firmly on their eyes will forgive a multitude of technical photographic sins. 

Amazing gorilla facts
• The ‘nose-print’ of a gorilla is just like a fingerprint and is used to identify individuals in the field.
• Gorillas are classified as great apes, and so are we.
• Gorillas can live to the age of 50 in captivity – life expectancy in the wild is 35 years of age. Human life expectancy in the areas surrounding the mountain gorilla habitats is 38 years.
• To donate to help save the mountain gorillas, go to www.mountaingorillas.org – run by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme.

Pro-Photographer's top tips

• Use a high ISO if the lighting is poor.
• Don’t forget to sit and enjoy. Don’t let your experience with the gorillas only be seen through a lens, you’ll regret it forever.
• Be prepared – you are only allowed one hour in the company of the gorillas – so make the most of it by being prepared when you arrive.
• Use minimal kit. A camera body and a lens will suffice together with a pocketful of flash cards/film and extra batteries.
• Give the gorillas respect – keep quiet and move slowly.