“We photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing, and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth can make them come back again. We cannot develop and print a memory.” ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson
Gorillas are large, quiet, gentle apes that live in Africa. Although gorillas are frequently portrayed as aggressive, dangerous killers, they are shy, peaceful vegetarians. Because of massive loss of habitat, these majestic primates are in great danger of going extinct.
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This is a striking and touching photograph - the reflection works perfectly here to capture the thoughts you've expressed in your comments (and the comments of cnovack and ubique). The processing is just right, too - has just enough contrast and the grain is perfect. A wonderful choice for best of!
There is the poignant message in this photograph - normally the reflection of other objects on the glass would weaken the focus on the main subject/composition. You however incorporate that into what you want your audience to see. This great gorilla seems to vanish into the stone. Protected under glass we can see this great ape at any time - but in the wild they are disappearing. Even under glass the gorilla fades out into the stone. The species is vanishing before our eyes...and if we do nothing to stop it they will vanish altogether. One thing that you could not control but would have further strengthen the idea if you had the luck to catch it - the gorilla putting his hand to the glass either open hand or touching with one finger. The gesture would signify a reaching out or looking for contact.
To take a creature in captivity and yet dignify it by its circumstances is a remarkable achievement. So many such pictures manage to be merely mawkish. This one is sad, also gracious and ultimately beautiful, but certainly never sentimental. Congratulations. It's on my 2010 imaginary wall. Thank you.
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