Snow Monkeys Up Close and Personal

The snow monkeys are a must visit for any photographer in Japan.  On the morning I took this photo, I waited on my favorite rock because of my years of experience with the snow monkeys, I know to sit there because the snow monkeys will come to say hello.  Others before me were just standing there, and the monkeys were intimidated by the people standing and stayed away as a result.  A sitting person is not a threat, so out of curiosity, the monkeys will approach and greet me, sometimes even brushing past me as they travel the perimeter of the hot springs.  I know the best locations to sit and wait for the perfect photo opportunity.  After 15 - 20 minutes, I had already taken my unforgettable photos. Other visiting photographers lug huge telephoto lenses to the hot springs spending hours trying to capture breathtaking photos, but most walk away an amazing photo op wasted because they lack experience with the Japanese macaque, better known as the snow monkeys.  My Camera Settings on my Nikon D850 were 1/1000, f/8, ISO 640.  I used a higher ISO so I could hand hold and have an aperture of f8 I could have went to f11 but I am happy with the depth of field and results at f8.