Taking portraits of chimpanzees isn’t easy, but knowing how they move around their home makes it a lot easier to catch them at the right moments.
In the past, we’ve described Front Room 4 as “The Portrait Studio.” This small indoor enclosure has three pneumatic doors that allow the chimps to move freely between their greenhouse, playroom, and other front rooms. The area is notably furnished with a couple of wall-mounted platforms, the lower of which provides the perfect bench for curious chimpanzees to look out the window or down the caregiver hallway. When a chimp is sitting in that precise location, the diffuse natural light from the window illuminates their face while softening the background with an effortless vignette. In short, the lighting is ideal for easy portraits.
If you want to see some content from the studio, I recommend checking out these posts featuring the chimps who reside in that wing of the Chimp House: Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra.
Last week, I encountered Jamie sitting serenely in the studio before breakfast. She was holding the crumpled remains of a hardcover book.
I saw Burrito sitting in the same spot later that morning. Instead of literature, however, Bubba was wielding a broken enrichment puzzle and showing it off like a trophy.
We caregivers have been searching for new ways to photograph and record video of the chimps in the new wing of the building, too. Although there isn’t an exact replica of the Front Room 4 studio on that side, we’ve discovered that the new greenhouse enclosures provide some unique perspectives. When an individual is perched on one of the closer logs, for example, they’re at the perfect height and distance for mid-range portraits. Gordo graciously modeled for the camera in this exact location yesterday afternoon.
We have Gary of Sage Mechanical to thank for these natural enrichment structures. The Sage crew ferried these heavy tree trunks all the way from Gary’s coastal property to the sanctuary with the new greenhouses in mind. They have asked us for pictures and video of the chimps utilizing the logs as bridges; I hope they’re proud to see that the logs are an integral part of our newest photo booth, too.
In case you missed them when they were originally posted, here are some other staff photos of the chimps sitting on the studio logs.
I never fail to be awed at the beauty of the chimpanzees who reside at CSNW. Thank you, Anthony, for providing the visual contents of today’s blog, including the photographs from 2014 and 2015. It was heartening to see Neggie spending some quality time with her troll, and even better to observe the contrast in health and self-confidence in Annie and Missy’s portraits between June 2008 and 2015.
I’m glad you liked it all, Tobin! One major benefit of the blog is that all these changes are documented in a narrative way.
Terry looks deep in thought. Thanks for these lovely photos
Thanks, Debbie!
There’s another thing you forgot about the portrait studio, Anthony–There’s a view of the kitchen! 😀
Such a great photo of the handsome Gordo, and wonderful reading some older blog posts. Thank you!
Haha, the chimps can see straight down the hallway, through the kitchen to the foyer and opposite laundry/enrichment room! They remind me of how my sisters and I would sit on the couch and anxiously watch my grandmother cooking in the kitchen.
I’m glad you liked the post, LC!
Oh, my! Thank you, Anthony! I had a great time looking back on some of the links you included. It dawned on me that the pic of Terry looks like Rodin’s sculpture The Thinker — similar left-hand up, crouched pose, intense facial expression. While all the chimps are my favorites, like others I have certain connections with a few, and one of those is Jamie (and Jody, and Burrito, and … you get the picture). In this pic of Jamie her keen intelligence shows so clearly. That woman has a very old soul. I’m so grateful she (and all the others) are living the best lives they are able in such a wonderful and loving environment.
Well, I think Rodin’s sculpture “The Thinker” looks like Terry. 😉
I’m glad you liked the pic of Jamie and the post!
I love both photo areas, studio and greenhouses. I have realized that there is no ‘bad’ area in which to photograph these majestic, chimps, they look marvelous anywhere.
Thanks, Nancy! I agree that the chimps always make compelling subjects just by being their fascinating, lovable selves.
Wow Chad. Those studio portraits are stunning. And thank you so much for the links of past studio portraits. they are wonderful. When I first found CSNW about a year ago I came across several then and now photos. Such amazing transformations. The chimps just glow now. their skin and hair just glows. A physical testimony to their care.
Amazing Portraits coming out of the other “studio” as well. Thank you sage mechanical! And all of the photographers.
I meant Anthony!
I’m glad you liked the post, Paulette! The gradual restoration of their hair is one of the coolest changes I’ve ever seen in rescued chimpanzees.
P.S. -5 points for calling me “Chad.” It was MONDAY! Get a calendar! 🙂
Thanks for the links from the past. I remember those posts! The chimps always look great when photographed in the original Photo Booth. It’s that lovely light streaming in from the window splashing across their faces, as if you have a strobe popping when you click the camera. On sunny days, the new greenhouses have the most glorious light and color and the chimps look beautiful bathed in the natural light and sunshine. Sometimes the space looks almost electrified. Having the logs to perch on grounds the chimps inside the setting. Super cool knowing where the logs came from, they really make the space!
Each side of chimp house produces a different effect but all of the photos taken in the Photo Booths are simply beautiful. Case in point, each photo right here in this post.
I’m happy you liked the post, Kathleen! I like your breakdown of the lighting conditions and our compositions. It’s interesting how the renovation of Front Room 4 (from the yellow paint to the waterproof deckboard) changed the tone of the photos.
Beautiful images.
What an interesting group of characters.
Burrito makes me smile.
Thanks, Stephen!
Burrito is great at making everyone smile and I think he knows it.
Love all the log sitters in today’s post. also the cover picture is a joy.
Haha, I’m going to call the chimps “a bunch o’ log sitters” tomorrow. I’m happy that you liked the post, Pat!