Sometimes It Just All Comes Together

Gorillas have always been a difficult subject to photograph.  They're nearly black making it a challenge to retain any detail in their faces. You simply cannot photograph them well in direct sunlight, you need them to be in even shade and preferably on an overcast day.  In captivity there are few enclosures with a natural green background.

It all came together for me the other day with an opportunity that lasted for just a few seconds.  This is an endangered Western lowland gorilla male silverback with a prominent sagittal crest.

Manual mode, 1/250 sec, f5.6 ISO 200 Canon 400mm with Canon 480 EX Speedlite for fill light.