Oh ... he's so lovely. His eyes are so intelligent looking. This processing is perfect - shades of grey primarily but a touch of pink mouth and beautiful brown eyes. I hope he's happy in the animal park.
I like the fact you can really see his eyes and the expression. For my taste though, it's a bit over process around the subject. He is so dominant, he would have managed a bit of detail in the background :)
What strikes me first is your empathy with this beautiful being.. it comes through in your gentle treatment - soft, fluid and warm..
of course this image has all your hallmarks. stunning DoF, excellent Pov and perfect focus. as ever, i'm mesmerised.. Here, the eyes are so beguiling, they are the heart and soul of this terrific portrait. thank you for sharing Jerome..
Thank you all for your so nice comments!
For me, these monkeys have something very human. They feel and have a self-conscious.
Some information about the gorilla enclosure at the zoo Schmiding:
The high-modern, nature-oriented habitat offers on 1800 mĀ² many hiding places, sleeping places, climbing structures, huge root stumps and much more. Here in the zoo Schmiding lives a bachelor group. Such social associations of gorilla males of different ages are a typical social association of lowland gorillas in nature. These social structures are also modeled in zoos as part of the conservation program. If a place is free in a harem, e.g. when an old silverback dies, a male from such a bachelor's group can take this place. This happened in the winter of 2008. At that time the Schmiding leader gorilla Bukavu moved to Blackpool Zoo, where Gorilla ladies were waiting for a new harem chef. There are now offspring.
According to the international Gorilla protection project, gorillas find protection in the zoos against their complete extermination in the open air. Due to civil wars and catastrophic social conditions, protection measures in the original distribution area of the lowland gorillas are currently impossible. The activities of zoos are all the more important. The population of the zoogorillas is to be increased by offspring in order to secure the survival of the species. If appropriate protective measures in the African homeland are possible in the future, conspecifics can be resettled there again.
@jerome I have been following the breeding and conservation of gorillas for many years now Jerome - the gorillas at Taronga Zoo in Sydney arrived in hmm 1996-97 and I have bee interested in the husbandry and conservation ever since - people often malign zoos but they play an important part educating people about the plight of our endangered species and making sure there are populations for our children to enjoy
@annied Thank you for your kind words, Annie. Yes, some people basically reject zoos. Of course, I prefer the animals in the wild. But for some animal species it is the last possibility to be protected from total extermination. And I think the animal park Schmiding is a good example of a species-appropriate and responsible way to keep animals. And as you say, a well-managed zoo brings the animals closer to us, it's a form of education.
@vignouse Thank you, Richard, for your kind comment! I have great respect for these wonderful animals. My biggest concern is to meet them with my photo. Meet challenges... I try and hope...
of course this image has all your hallmarks. stunning DoF, excellent Pov and perfect focus. as ever, i'm mesmerised.. Here, the eyes are so beguiling, they are the heart and soul of this terrific portrait. thank you for sharing Jerome..
Thank you all for your so nice comments!
For me, these monkeys have something very human. They feel and have a self-conscious.
Some information about the gorilla enclosure at the zoo Schmiding:
The high-modern, nature-oriented habitat offers on 1800 mĀ² many hiding places, sleeping places, climbing structures, huge root stumps and much more. Here in the zoo Schmiding lives a bachelor group. Such social associations of gorilla males of different ages are a typical social association of lowland gorillas in nature. These social structures are also modeled in zoos as part of the conservation program. If a place is free in a harem, e.g. when an old silverback dies, a male from such a bachelor's group can take this place. This happened in the winter of 2008. At that time the Schmiding leader gorilla Bukavu moved to Blackpool Zoo, where Gorilla ladies were waiting for a new harem chef. There are now offspring.
According to the international Gorilla protection project, gorillas find protection in the zoos against their complete extermination in the open air. Due to civil wars and catastrophic social conditions, protection measures in the original distribution area of the lowland gorillas are currently impossible. The activities of zoos are all the more important. The population of the zoogorillas is to be increased by offspring in order to secure the survival of the species. If appropriate protective measures in the African homeland are possible in the future, conspecifics can be resettled there again.
I would also like to know what he is talking about, what he thinks and what he feels.
I appreciate it very much.
Thank you for your nice visit! I appreciate you a lot.