"Person Of The Forest", a photo from Central Water Catchment, North

Photographer's Note

In Malay orang means "person" and utan is derived from hutan, which means "forest." Thus, orangutan literally means "person of the forest."

I wish I could say this photo was taken on an expedition into their natural habitat, but I can't... This photo was taken at the zoo. The Singapore Zoological Gardens has bred a total of 21 orangutans to date, as part of a worldwide exchange program to facilitate breeding of this highly endangered ape.

To learn more about orangutans, and what you can do to help, please go to www.orangutan.org.

- Dan
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Post Production: In Photoshop, I adjusted the levels slightly to increase contrast, added a slight gausian blur (50% opacity) to the body to smooth the fur over a bit (minus the face), and added a frame.

supereira, Rhiannon, bibiweb, jrj, eleparc, rabani, avis2avis, kikvel, CoolDan, Wolbo, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Rhiannon (1728) 2004-09-28 9:27

The colours are amazing in this one, Dan. I love the face expression and the details you have captured in the face and fur. I like the soft effect of the gaussian blur.
Well composed.
A extraodrinary portrait!
Very well done.

loupiot (3909) 2004-09-28 10:56

Great shot, Dan! I like this funny portrait. Nice colors and good sharpeness. Well done.

bibiweb (8) 2004-09-28 12:35

Even if it was only at the zoo, this shot is great. The colors are warm and the DOF is excellent. And look in his eyes is fabulous!
Good job Dan.

burdallet (0) 2004-09-28 12:37

So human look .... his red/orange hair means probably celtic roots :-))

sn00zie (2384) 2004-09-28 12:48

sucha sweetie this lil jungle boy is..

avigur_11 (22553) 2004-09-28 18:26

A great portarit, Dan. He/she looks so human, I like his expression and his very very smart eyes. Great shot, very well done.

manny (22032) 2004-09-28 21:28

Nice colors. It is a very good tight composition as it accentuates the friendly nature of you subject in warm colors.

pts later

ninadev (5377) 2004-09-28 21:31

Look at these eyes.. really a human look. Very well captured with nice details of his face and splendid fur. A tiny bit overexposed on his chin and fingers.

jrj (34843) 2004-09-29 4:04

Very good this portrait, and a well made post work the the photo. Like it a lot (even coming from the zoo..)
Well done Dane - great posing from the orangutan..

supereira (9576) 2004-09-29 4:32

Good photo!Very good colors and contrast between them.Great POV and DOF.Good composition and framing.

eleparc (24063) 2004-09-29 11:16

nice shot of your friend dan! ;-) i like the colors very much and the compo.. the branch above its head suits well and frames naturally the subject... i like it very much;-)

rabani (9645) 2004-09-29 21:55

You did very well here Dan. Its expression together with its arms hanging on the branch like that, make it just so cuddly. Just the kind of expression we want people to feel for this "person". Not just to this orangutan, but just about anything with a life in it. Lovely photo Dan. Just lovely. If you feel like taking the real thing, I could take you to Sepilok in Sabah. But it wouldn't be so pretty like in a zoo.

avis2avis (4264) 2004-09-30 2:45

I missed this one earlier. Great capture... those eyes are very captivating. the post pro is good here. composition is good ... like the tree branch running acroos the frame... one doesnt get the impression this was shot in a zoo. good one Dan!

kikvel (4784) 2004-09-30 21:52

Nice shot Dan!!!

He is so cute, I like his hair... a bit too bright in parts but still a great one.

K.

kaychambers (1198) 2004-10-01 2:50

I didn't realise you could post a self-portrait on this website?

Nice one Daniel, but next time try to look at the camera and smile!

Regards,

Vic, Singapore.

OOPS PTS L8R

Jeppe (18654) 2004-10-01 6:19

Truly a great portrait you made of this "Forest person" I like that expression you got on hes face - with fine reflections in the eye's

You got this image with an excellent DOF and your PP work good as well - thanks Dan.

CoolDan (2516) 2004-10-07 13:23

Quelle belle photo. Les couleurs sont magnifiques et le regard de l'animal est très expressif. Well seen Dan.

H2OKOT (180) 2005-03-19 17:02

what a great shot man.. the colors are stunning? And he looks as if he was actually thinking about something....impressive..Did u use some kind of a filter ??

ChrisJ (172378) 2005-08-07 4:29

Hi Dan

I've heard the Singapore Zoo is quite good, & this appears to prove it. Excellent sharpness & dof. Well done!