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Joost Smit Nature & Wildlife Photography

Behind the Image

Gorilla in Uganda

01 September 2026

Gorilla in Uganda
Camera Canon EOS R5 mark II
Lens EF400mm f2.8L IS USM
Focal length 400mm
Aperture 2.8
Shutter 1/100
ISO 640

This photo was taken in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, in Uganda, once of the best places to get close with the endangered mountain gorillas. After a modest hike we came eye-to-eye with a group of gorillas whilst they were moving through the thick bamboo. From trying to follow them around, I could understand why they call Bwindi the impenetrable forest! The gorillas let us get quite close and were very comfortable. This one set down and I was able to use my 400mm lens to take a close-up portrait. I like the smooth background that this 400mm lens allows me to get, even though it was very hard hauling it around through the forest!

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