This photo was taken during a visit to a safari park.
I was looking for the emotion that comes from animals in captivity. For some, we perceive sadness; for others, astonishment prevails, while for this photograph, I noted distrust (suspicion).
Having already participated in photo safaris in Africa, the emotions conveyed by the animals’ eyes differ from those living in captivity. In their natural habitat, we can perceive nonchalance and lust in the eyes of the animals that stand in groups, fear on certain occasions, or even excitement when approaching prey.
Freedom is priceless. I understand the usefulness of certain zoos whose mission is to get injured or sick animals back on their feet or to preserve species in danger of extinction, but beyond that, to turn them into amusement parks to amuse the gallery. In this regard, I believe that we are going too far. Animals that live in zoos are fed, housed, sometimes mistreated, and have no fear of predators. They gradually get used to humans, and in doing so, their behavior changes more than noticeably. Their subsequent release may be compromised because they will have lost their primary instincts, including the most important one: knowing how to hunt.
The animal, whatever it may be, just like Man, must be respected. Some animals are domesticated and thus become man’s faithful companions, such as cats, dogs, and most farm animals. One rule, however, should not be forgotten: all animals, and I mean all animals, can react unexpectedly to a stimulus that will surprise us.
My photographic interest is to translate through the animal’s gaze the emotion that emerges from the animal’s eyes in a furtive space of time.
What are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
A wild animal should never be taken lightly. We see on the face of this cheetah that it is wary of its environment and through its eyes and its brow, it inspires awe, even fear. It is this emotion that I wanted to convey through this photography
If you could make this photo again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?
I would have liked the cheetah to stare into my eyes in order to establish eye contact, which could have conveyed an emotion different from my perception at the time the photo was taken.
Jean Gouin shared this photograph with the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Jean Gouin, Montréal, Canada
Equipment and settings
Canon EOS R5 (mirrorless)
500mm (RF 100-500Mm F4,5-7,1 L IS USM)
1/1250s f/7,1 ISO 1600
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