This photograph of Geoffroy’s tamarin (Saguinus geoffroyi) was captured on the misty fringe of the Darién jungle near Capurganá, Chocó, Colombia. I found this small primate perched on a slender branch just before sunrise, its black-and-white coat and rufous nape illuminated by the faint glow of dawn. The surrounding foliage, rendered in soft focus, creates a natural frame that emphasizes the tamarin’s calm yet alert expression.
Technically, the shot was made with a Canon EOS R5 paired to an RF 100–400mm lens and a 1.4× extender, yielding an effective focal length of 560mm. The combination of lens and extender fixed the aperture at f/11, so I set ISO to 3200 to lift details from deep shadow. The R5 chose a shutter speed of 1/30 second—challenging for handheld work at that reach—but the tamarin’s stillness and careful handholding yielded a sharp frame. These settings balanced depth of field, exposure, and detail, allowing the rich textures of fur and bark to come through despite the low-light conditions.
Photographing Geoffroy’s tamarins reminds me of the delicate balance these Near Threatened primates maintain in their ecosystem. Each image I capture is a blend of patient fieldcraft and technical precision, aimed at raising awareness of the species’ conservation needs and the fragile beauty of their rainforest home.
©2022 Adam Rainoff Photographer
