Learning how to take photos/videos of the chimpanzees can be a nerve-wracking task. As caregivers, we generally avoid being close to the caging unless doing a chimp interaction. Therefore, learning to be close to the caging safely while trying to get great photos/videos for the blog, initially had me feeling out of my comfort zone. So much goes into it, hence why I thought it’d make an interesting blog!
Step 1: Getting comfortable being close to the caging in a safe manner while handling a very nice camera or phone
The first thing caregivers have to overcome is getting themselves comfortable with being close to the caging. It feels wrong and quite vulnerable at first, but it gets easier over time with more experience of reading chimp behavior and assessing situations (more on that in Step #2). It took me several weeks to get comfortable with the combination of being close to caging + holding the camera + snapping a clear photo, and it took me even longer before I was comfortable with getting close enough to get the caging physically out of all of my photos.
This was one of my photos on my very first blog! I was happy with the quality of the image but of course, the caging obstructs the photo because I was too far away. It all takes practice and time.
Step 2: Getting a quality photo or video while assessing and reading chimp behavior for your own safety and camera safety
Let’s jump forward to when the caregiver is comfortable with being close to the caging, holding the camera, AND snapping a quality photo on a nice camera (it’s harder than it may seem). Now, caregivers must begin to be aware of where each of the chimps are located in the enclosure, what they’re doing (activity-wise), and analyze their behavior. Thankfully, chimpanzees aren’t always good at being discreet. Sometimes, they’ll turn to look at you and the camera or give you a quick side-eye, then go back to what they were doing. For some chimps, that’s them telling you they don’t care that you are there. For other chimps, that’s them assessing the situation and now they may try to surprise you with a jump scare and/or poke very shortly.
Context is also important here. Obviously, if things are tense among the chimps or they seem agitated, putting a camera up to the caging may not always be a good idea. Chimpanzees are pretty good at showing how they emotionally feel (between vocalizations, gestures, and physical tells). I can always tell when Jamie does not want me to be taking a photo or recording her. It’ll start as a long stare from Jamie. If I don’t notice or ignore it, she may get up and charge the caging. That’s an example of a clear message Jamie is giving to me to stop what I’m doing and potentially even go away.
What’s also interesting is that different caregivers may have better luck taking a photo of a specific individual than another would. I’ve noticed that there are certain chimps who will always try to poke my camera if they’re around (cough Rayne cough Foxie). They may not do that to every caregiver, but they do it to me, so I have to take that information and keep it in mind so that I can continue to be safe. I’ve also picked up on the fact that Burrito does not try to scare me when I’m taking photos or videos of him, but he sometimes does to others. There’s also chimps who would never poke a caregiver’s camera (sweet Terry). The chimpanzee and human relationship is just another factor to consider.
As you can tell, a lot goes into capturing a simple photo of one of our residents. That is why some days we have nothing to show for it (ahhhh!) and we have to deliver with some good video footage! However, I think that’s why it makes it all that more sweet when we are able to capture an amazing shot of one of our residents to share with you all! It literally feels like an achievement to me at times.
Thank you for loving our photos and videos we post! Thank you for being here!
Foxie trying to poke the camera:
Honey B up close to the camera:
Annie with some blurry caging:
Lucky up-close:
One last thing!
You may have seen reviews of the docuseries Chimp Crazy this week. Thank you for those who filled out the survey from Diana’s blog post about the series. The first episode airs this Sunday, August 18th, on HBO and streams on Max at 10 p.m. PT.
The North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA) and Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW), along with a special guest, will be hosting the discussion of the first episode. Join us on Tuesday, August 20 via Zoom at 6:00 PM PST/9:00 PM EST to explore Episode 1: Monkey Love. We will be discussing the contents of the episode as well as some history around the use of primates in entertainment and the pet trade, the legality of owning primates as pets, and the Captive Primate Safety Act. Register to join this discussion.
We understand that there may be scenes in the series that could be difficult for primate welfare advocates to watch. Our goal is to provide a space where people can openly share their thoughts and learn more about how they can help these remarkable primates.
Jenna – What an excellent post!! It’s so fascinating to learn how getting photos and videos is complex on many different levels. Yes — please tell us more!
Brings back memories of the times we had with some of the mentioned chimps when I was a volunteer at Wildlife Waystation!! I see they are still up to their antics!!! They are still as “charming” as they used to be!
I’d love to hear stories from your time at WW! I assume Honey B was just a feisty and clever as she is now.
At least Terry is a consummate gentleman when it comes to being photographed!
Very interesting Jenna. It never crossed my mind that you need to be on alert when filming or photographing, but of course you do, it makes sense.
I have always wondered what the chimps are thinking when they poke at the camera though. Ive come up with – go away, stop, I want to touch it, I want a turn, let me see the photos, and now I can add – thats closer than normal, can I touch it before the Human moves it.
And speaking of photos, another thing I have been wondering – Where are you Chad?? We havent seen any of your skillful photos on the blog for a while now. Hope every thing is OK
Everyone at CSNW (past and present) does an excellent job capturing everyday moments of sanctuary living. You make it appear easy! Because of this, I almost take your videos and photos for granted—almost!! So I really want to let you know how much I appreciate your honesty on the difficulties you have to deal with (beyond trying to get a sharp focus, good lighting, and all the other perils you face when trying to photograph animals).
I never considered having to keep an eye on everyone in the area or that others in the area could react! I was familiar with the side eye, a spit, and the Fun Police waving you off, but a chimp jumping onto the mesh would make me shriek and drop my phone! 🙂 Photography would have been incredibly harder back when caregivers had to use SLR cameras and closeup lenses. Your focus is so narrow and it takes more time to set your frame. How did you do it! Plus, I know you have a line before the mesh that marks your distance to remain safely away from the chimps, but again, I never considered the challenge in following safety protocols to keep you safe while you try to capture that perfect moment. So many serious things to consider.
I volunteer at a dog shelter and just trying to get one or two good photos means taking dozens of photos. And I have the luxury of being in the same space with dogs, no worries about mesh messing up a photo. The instant I click my camera, the dogs run towards me or out of the frame. 9 times out 10! We also have donkeys that I love spending time with. Again, I can be in the same outdoor space but they too wait for the exact second I am taking the photo to walk up to me and blow the photo. And with the donkeys, your eyes need be roving constantly to mark where each one is at all times. Donkeys are sweetly sneaky. They tippy toe up behind you and go for a nibble (or a love bite!) if you aren’t paying attention. And you never want to be behind a donkey in case they kick. It’s challenging but nothing like what you need to consider. Your focus has to be sharper than your camera!!!
I will now admire your photos/videos all the more!
Thank you, Jenna, for a literal look behind the scenes of photographing and videotapping the chimpsters. Granted, it is both art as well as a science, but your post today helps me to appreciate how the visual content is created for blog.
Certainly I am dependent upon seeing the residents who have been accorded refuge at the CSNW; pictures are worth a thousand words. I shall long treasure my first sight of the-formerly Cle Elum Seven and some hirsute, energetic person named Burrito playing a game of tug-o’-war with his friend Keri; in an instant, I was captivated by what had been captured on video.
Haha, Jenna, I recognized that look on Foxie’s face from a pic someone took a while ago. Head down, gleam in her eye, she’s gonna launch! :laughing:
I think sometimes you guys come out with such great pics, we forget about those things that present challenges.
Thank you so much, Jenna, for putting us the “picture” so to speak regarding capturing those special and every day moments at the sanctuary through the lens. live in Sydney, Australia, and it is sadly unlikely that I will have a chance of seeing the beloved sanctuary residents in ” real time” so I have to rely on your photos and videos to bring the sanctuary to me. Wow, I appreciate your attention to detail especially when the focus of your attention doesn’t pose for the camera! A fine balancing trick indeed. You have given us quite an insite regarding the very fine art if camera snapping.:heart::heart:
Jenna, I wasn’t aware of the hardship of creating photo and video content of the chimps, and I’ve taken those daily contents for granted. Sometimes I would be also happy to hear only audio content, I mean just listening to their food grunts and grunty laughs is extremely enjoyable – we followers could even have a contest among us if we could recognize the chimps by their voices. Anyway, thank you for your extra work! Do you ever show the pics to the chimps right after taking them?
I suggested that game, and they finally did one, but with the new side of the house when we barely knew them. I think we should repeat it with the old side of the house the OGs!
I’m really interested in your conversation around Chimp Crazy, but unfortunately I live in Europe and it’ll start at 3AM for me, haha. Is there any possibility that a recording of the meeting could be uploaded somewhere for those of us who unluckily won’t be able to join? I understand if not, but I figured I might as well ask 🙂
PS: Lovely blog post as always…I particularly enjoy the photo of Foxie trying to poke the camera!