'Bath Time', a photo from Nagano, Chubu

Photographer's Note

Another shot from my January trip to see the wild snow monkeys in Japan. These snow living macaques are the farthest northerly living primates in the world. One day years ago a member of the troupe ventured into the hot springs (Onsens) and decided to stay in and soak for a bit... as the old saying goes; 'Monkey see- Monkey do'. Now all the monkeys frequent the springs, more so in the winters due to the temperature of course.

I have left this shot very natural with no PP work to show the true conditions at the time. I was shooting through the steam coming off the hot springs, hence the very muted tones.

More information can be found here... Japanese Snow Monkeys.

I hope you like the shot,
- Dan

Nelu_Goia, BelCan75, Clairedelune, Didi, Aedorian has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

barni (15751) 2009-05-05 6:58

Hello Dan
Une ambiance excellente.
Joli travail
Regards
Christophe

Nelu_Goia (3116) 2009-05-05 11:01

Hi Dan,
This is a very subtle representation of a "intimate" moment of the monkeys life.
I very much appreciate the lack of any post-processing because it would have ruined the moment.
Thank you,
Nelu

PJE (20758) 2009-05-05 14:34

Hey Daniel...I see lots and lots of steam all over the frame...like who is paying the hot water bill here? Actually I know its a hot springs...and the photo really looks amazing and cool to say the least. Really good shot Daniel Walsh!!!!!

BelCan75 (2201) 2009-05-05 21:17

Hi Dan,

This one makes me smile! This monkey looks so sweet with his funny hair do that looks like a big wig and his expressions. I like how you were able to capture the steam of the water, it makes the shot a little mysterious. Great work, I really like it!

Greetings,
Ann

ldalef (78) 2009-05-06 5:49

Hi Dan,
Nice subtle colors and steam making it mystical and serene. Makes one wonder what that guy is thinking or waiting for. Good shot.
Laurie

smarcell (19965) 2009-05-06 6:48

This is a very famous place, and you have been lucky to see it.
I do not know if it is rare to see monkeys having the hot bath or it is fairly common. This is the picture I like more so far, as it really shows the steam and the environment, in some sense.
Regards Stefano

Clairedelune (4923) 2009-05-06 19:30

But this one is definitively my favorite...
Look that hand on his (her?) face!!! Incredible!
Now, it's simple. I'm envious! I wish I was right there, with those snow monkeys.

I did experiment, very quickly, with some black and white versions. Just to see what will be the result. Not better or worse, simply different and bringing up the features more. Both versions show unmistakable pictorial value.

Look Dan, I am short of words tonight. Especially in English. So, just know that I find this photo extremely beautiful and enjoyable!

Claire

Didi (61589) 2009-05-06 19:34

Hi Dan
This is a scoop a very good catch of this monkey in the fog, you were not so far from the subject with your 200 mm.
Good frame quality.
Best regards.
Didi

ktanska (40041) 2009-05-07 0:35

Hi Dan,
Wonderful series of these monkey. I guess this on is my favourite, showing the reality of bathing. And the face of a thinker.
I wonder about the contrast. Yes steam makes view more hazy. But our eyes, or actually brains are better on correcting that than cameras. So at least I usually need to add contrast on such condtions to reach the impression I actually saw myself.
Kari

Aedorian (105) 2009-05-07 3:39

Cool, I like this shot. I like the steam and how translucent it feels. It really gives the viewer (at least in my case) the feeling of being in the onsen itself. I like the expression on this little guy's face, too--with the hand covering his mouth, as if he's about to laugh.

Photo Information

Copyright: Dan Walsh (danielswalsh) (13597)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-25
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 5D, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM, @ ISO 400
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Japanese Snow Monkeys, Primates, Dan's Wildlife Shots [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-05-05 6:39