A Mother's Love

[Barbara Ponder]

I could not resist this precious Mom with her baby. She was not really excited to have someone taking the picture even from behind fencing.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Barbara Ponder]

Very nice.

Thanks John!

[Texas Dave]

It's a really nice photo. I don't like zoos or captive animals but a nice capture non the less.

[Barbara Ponder]

It's a really nice photo. I don't like zoos or captive animals but a nice capture non the less.

Thanks David, Yes, I prefer animals in the wild as well. Yesterday I really noticed that so many of the poor creatures looked sad/depressed. Unfortunately I don't think zoos will close anytime soon. I try to think of it as they are helping out their relatives by making people aware of the dangers that each species face. Houston zoo for the most part does a good job of at least providing some room and a somewhat natural habit and they do an excellent job on awareness on each species.

[Mike Buckley]

Absolutely terrific composition and colors! Consider cropping as tightly on the right as on the left and adding a very slight vignette to increase attention on the subjects.

You nailed the focus on the mother's face but notice that the depth of field doesn't quite include the baby's face or the mother's chest. In the future, try to use an aperture that is small enough to ensure that the most important parts of the image are in focus. (I realize that you might have been forced to use such a small depth of field to eliminate display of the fence in the foreground.) Personally, I would have wanted all parts of both animals in focus.

[Barbara Ponder]

Absolutely terrific composition and colors! Consider cropping as tightly on the right as on the left and adding a very slight vignette to increase attention on the subjects.

You nailed the focus on the mother's face but notice that the depth of field doesn't quite include the baby's face or the mother's chest. In the future, try to use an aperture that is small enough to ensure that the most important parts of the image are in focus. (I realize that you might have been forced to use such a small depth of field to eliminate display of the fence in the foreground.) Personally, I would have wanted all parts of both animals in focus.

Thanks! Yes it was a little soft on the baby the conditions were a little difficult I actually got one where they are both in perfect focus but the Mom's hand at the bottom is blurry as she was trying to keep the baby from running off. I debated about which one to use but thought the softness on the baby would be a better choice, I may need to take another look at that. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Mike Buckley]

I actually got one where they are both in perfect focus but the Mom's hand at the bottom is blurry

It's also blurry in this photo, though perhaps less blurry than in the photo you decided against.

[Barbara Ponder]

It's also blurry in this photo, though perhaps less blurry than in the photo you decided against.

Much more so!

[Mike Buckley]

One more comment, Barbara: It might be helpful to review the EXIF data but it's stripped from your image file. If you provide it, we might be able to come up with a helpful suggestion or two.

[Brownbear]

Hi Barbara,

Gorgeous image! And such a special moment. I also adore the composition and the colours.

Yes, I too find it sad to see wildlife in captivity but perhaps sometimes it is better than the alternative. We don't have a zoo but we have a Grizzly Bear refuge on five acres of land on a mountain. They were orphaned as cubs, couldn't be returned to the wild (accustomed to humans) but their habitat is very nice, 5 acres of forested land on a mountain with a small river that is stocked with salmon, they hibernate every winter, and I think the folks that visit the area come away with a new appreciation for wildlife.

[Barbara Ponder]

One more comment, Barbara: It might be helpful to review the EXIF data but it's stripped from your image file. If you provide it, we might be able to come up with a helpful suggestion or two.

My file has been stripping? naughty little buggers! Seriously, I have no idea how or why it's not showing. Technology and I have a love/hate relationship but I will try and figure out how to include it.

[Barbara Ponder]

Hi Barbara,

Gorgeous image! And such a special moment. I also adore the composition and the colours.

Yes, I too find it sad to see wildlife in captivity but perhaps sometimes it is better than the alternative. We don't have a zoo but we have a Grizzly Bear refuge on five acres of land on a mountain. They were orphaned as cubs, couldn't be returned to the wild (accustomed to humans) but their habitat is very nice, 5 acres of forested land on a mountain with a small river that is stocked with salmon, they hibernate every winter, and I think the folks that visit the area come away with a new appreciation for wildlife.

Thanks Christina! The sanctuary sounds lovely!

[KimC]

Barbara, perfect title for this capture. I love it... The expressions, the color...everything about it.

[Barbara Ponder]

Barbara, perfect title for this capture. I love it... The expressions, the color...everything about it.

Thank you Kim!

[rpcrowe]

Super capture. The "EYES" have it!

[IzzieK]

I have the EXIF on the photo Barbara...it wasn't stripped at all...anyway, I love the composition. I think you did a good job here on your first choice of which to show. It will be equally as nice to see the other one too....if I (we) may???

[Barbara Ponder]

I have the EXIF on the photo Barbara...it wasn't stripped at all...anyway, I love the composition. I think you did a good job here on your first choice of which to show. It will be equally as nice to see the other one too....if I (we) may???

Thanks Izzie! I would be happy to share the other and I actually have different composition that I will share as well. I am working on it now and will post as soon as I can.

[Barbara Ponder]

Super capture. The "EYES" have it!

Thanks Richard! Yes they speak volumes!

[Barbara Ponder]

Izzie, here is the version with the better focused babies eyes but the hand blur.