How to Photograph Orangutans

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Observing orangutans in the wild ranks among my favorite wildlife experiences. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to witness many special moments and develop a deep connection with these captivating apes.

However, photographing orangutans in their natural habitat requires meticulous planning, patience, and a deep understanding of their behaviors and lush surroundings.

Drawing from over a decade of photographing orangutans, this comprehensive guide will lead you through every step, from where to find them to capturing stunning photographs that truly capture their essence, all while respecting their welfare and the pristine ecosystem they inhabit.

Where to find orangutans

Orangutans are found on two main islands: Borneo and Sumatra. Across these regions, orangutans are further classified into three distinct subspecies:

Bornean Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus): Found in the rainforests of Borneo, Bornean orangutans are the largest of the orangutan species. They exhibit a darker coat and tend to have larger cheek pads (flanges) in males.
Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo abelii): Native to the island of Sumatra, Sumatran orangutans are smaller and lighter in color compared to their Bornean counterparts. They have longer facial hair and smaller cheek pads in males.
Tapanuli Orangutans (Pongo tapanuliensis): Discovered more recently, Tapanuli orangutans are found in the Batang Toru forest of Sumatra. They are the rarest and most endangered of all orangutan species, with distinct genetic and physical differences, such as smaller skulls and unique calls.

Each of the following locations offers some of the best opportunities to observe orangutans, providing a unique and enriching experience that ranges from serene river safaris to adventurous jungle treks.

These experiences are tailored to accommodate different levels of physical fitness and varied interests.

1. Borneo

Here are top locations to head to for orangutan photography in Borneo.

Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesia

Experience: Embark on leisurely river cruises along the Sekonyer River aboard traditional klotok boats, providing a relaxing way to spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and other wildlife. Visitors can enjoy guided walks to Camp Leakey, where they can observe feeding sessions and learn about orangutan conservation efforts.

Physical Activity: Minimal physical exertion is required, making it accessible for most visitors. The primary mode of exploration is via boat, with short, easy walks on designated paths.

Danum Valley Conservation Area, Malaysia

Experience: Engage in a variety of activities, including canopy walks, guided jungle treks, and night safaris. The area is ideal for spotting orangutans, pygmy elephants, and a plethora of bird species.

Physical Activity: Moderate physical activity is involved, with some trekking required. The canopy walk offers a thrilling experience without excessive physical demand.

Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Malaysia

Experience: Take part in riverboat safaris along the Kinabatangan River, offering excellent opportunities to view orangutans, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife. Guided walks through the forest are also available for those interested in a closer look at the habitat.

Physical Activity: Generally low, as the main activity is boat-based, allowing for comfortable wildlife observation with minimal hiking.

2. Sumatra, Indonesia

Sumatra is another great destination for orangutan photography.

Bukit Lawang (entry to Gunung Leuser National Park)

Experience: Embark on challenging jungle treks through rugged terrain, dense forests, and steep hillsides. Trekkers can expect close encounters with wild and semi-wild orangutans, as well as other unique wildlife such as the Sumatran tiger and rhinoceros.

Physical Activity: High physical fitness is required, as the treks are demanding and can span several hours to several days. The terrain is often steep and slippery, necessitating good stamina and endurance.

Overall, Sumatra requires higher physical fitness due to the demanding nature of the hikes through steep hills and dense forests, yet it remains my favorite for its immersive, on-foot experience in one of the most ecologically diverse places on earth.

In contrast, Borneo offers more accessible experiences with less physical activity, focusing on boat-based exploration and easier walks.

This diversity ensures that both casual wildlife enthusiasts and adventurous trekkers can find a suitable and rewarding experience in the quest to observe these magnificent orangutans in their natural habitats.

Partnering with local guides and conservation organizations is essential for a successful and ethical orangutan photography experience in Borneo and Sumatra.

These experts use their intimate knowledge of orangutan habits and tracking skills to locate the primates, ensuring safe and respectful interactions for both visitors and animals.

They navigate challenging terrains, educate visitors on ethical wildlife observation, and support conservation efforts through guided tours.

By working with these professionals, you enhance your chances of spotting orangutans and contribute positively to their protection and the preservation of their natural habitats.

What to pack

To ensure a successful and comfortable photography expedition in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, packing the right essentials is crucial.

Clothing: Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics suitable for tropical climates. Long sleeves and pants are essential to protect against insects and foliage. Consider wearing gaiters to protect against mosquito bites through your socks and to guard against leeches.
Insect Repellent: Mosquitoes and other insects are abundant in rainforest environments. Carry a reliable insect repellent to ward off bites and ensure uninterrupted photography sessions.
Rain Gear: Tropical rain showers can be sudden and intense. Pack waterproof jackets, pants, and covers for your camera equipment to protect against moisture and ensure your gear remains operational.
Water and Snacks: Stay hydrated and energized during long hours in the field. Carry sufficient water and pack nutritious snacks to sustain you throughout the day.
Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential to protect yourself from the tropical sun during outdoor shoots.
First Aid Kit: Carry a basic first aid kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, and any personal medications you may require.

Orangutan behavior

Understanding orangutan behavior is essential for capturing compelling photographs, as each behavior presents a unique opportunity to craft images that vividly tell their story.

Here are several key behaviors to observe:

Feeding

Orangutans spend a significant portion of their day foraging for fruits, leaves, and other vegetation. This behavior offers dynamic and vibrant photo opportunities.

Imagine capturing a close-up of an orangutan reaching out for a ripe, colorful fruit, or the intense focus in their eyes as they meticulously peel away layers of a tropical treat. These moments not only showcase their diet but also highlight their intelligence and dexterity.

Nesting

Every evening, orangutans construct nests in the trees for resting and sleeping. Observing and photographing this nest-building process can provide intimate and serene images.

Picture an orangutan expertly weaving branches and leaves together, creating a safe haven high above the forest floor.

As the light of the setting sun filters through the canopy, you can capture the tranquil ambience of these quiet moments, reflecting the orangutan’s connection to their environment.

Social Interactions

While typically solitary, orangutans engage in fascinating social interactions, especially between mothers and their offspring. Capturing the tender moments of a mother cradling her baby, teaching them essential survival skills, or sharing food can result in heartwarming and evocative photographs.

Occasionally, you might witness social encounters between adult orangutans, providing rare glimpses into their complex social dynamics and hierarchies.

Movement

As arboreal creatures, orangutans move gracefully through the forest canopy, showcasing their remarkable agility and strength. Imagine an orangutan swinging effortlessly from branch to branch, their long arms and powerful grip propelling them through the trees.

The contrast of their vibrant orange fur against the lush green backdrop creates visually stunning images that convey their natural elegance and the beauty of their rainforest home.

Camera settings

To capture stunning photographs of orangutans in their natural habitat, mastering the right camera settings is crucial.

Here are essential tips to optimize your camera for photographing these remarkable apes in the rainforest environments of Borneo and Sumatra:

Wide Aperture: Opt for a wide aperture (with a low f-stop number) to allow ample light into your camera, crucial for the dimly lit rainforest environment.
Higher ISO: Be ready to adjust to a higher ISO setting to maintain a faster shutter speed in low-light conditions. Don’t shy away from exceeding the 10,000 ISO threshold, as advancements in denoising software enable high-quality image capture even at elevated ISO levels.
Fast Shutter Speed: Ensure a fast shutter speed (at least 1/500th of a second) to achieve sharp, freeze-frame images, which is particularly essential for capturing dynamic orangutan behaviors.

Composition tips

Photographing orangutans poses several challenges, including managing harsh and low-light conditions, navigating through vegetation obstructions, and handling dynamic range issues.

To overcome these obstacles and achieve better compositions, consider the following essential tips.

Know the direction of light

It’s crucial to be mindful of the sun’s position when photographing orangutans. When the sun does not illuminate the orangutan’s face directly, it can lead to insufficient light, casting shadows that obscure details and make it challenging for your camera to capture intricate features.

This subdued lighting may mask the nuances of the orangutan’s expression, reducing clarity and definition in your photographs. On the other hand, when the light falls directly on the orangutan’s face, it transforms the scene dramatically.

These well-lit conditions eliminate shadows, allowing for enhanced visibility of details and bringing out the richness of texture and color. Particularly, the eyes, often regarded as windows to their soul, benefit from this illumination, revealing vivid hues of orange.

Focus on the eyes

To capture the personality and emotion of orangutans, prioritize focusing on their eyes. Employing a wide aperture will effectively blur the background, enhancing intimacy with your subject. This technique proves especially valuable when orangutans are partially obscured by dense vegetation.

Do not cut off limbs

When framing your shot, it’s crucial to avoid cutting off the orangutan’s hands and limbs unless you intend for a very tight portrait. This can be challenging because these appendages are surprisingly long – orangutans’ arms are longer than their legs!

These extended limbs are not just expressive but also add significantly to their unique charm and character. Allowing them ample space within the frame enriches the storytelling of your photograph, capturing the essence of their behavior and environment.

When these elements are cropped out, the overall appeal of the image is compromised, as they are essential for showcasing the orangutan’s distinctive physique.

Embrace a wide-angle perspective

Choosing a wide-angle approach can greatly enhance the narrative of orangutans in photography. Rather than exclusively concentrating on close-up shots, expanding your frame to encompass the orangutan within its natural surroundings offers viewers a broader context.

Including elements like dense foliage, terrain features, and the overall habitat enriches the visual story, moving beyond the individual orangutan.

This broader perspective enables the audience to grasp the orangutan’s role within its ecosystem, highlighting both its majestic presence and the intricate details of its living environment.

Balance exposure carefully

When photographing orangutans in the rainforest, it’s essential to manage exposure thoughtfully.

The orangutan’s dark fur often contrasts with the brighter light above the rainforest canopy, potentially causing highlights to become overexposed.

Consider underexposing slightly to retain detail in the sky, which can be adjusted during post-processing. Alternatively, seek angles and positions that exclude the sky from your composition altogether.

However, this may not always be feasible, underscoring the importance of patience in wildlife photography.

Capture interactions

Orangutans exhibit remarkable familial bonds, with babies staying with their mothers for an average of eight years, the longest known period in the animal kingdom outside of humans.

Photographing these interactions not only showcases tender moments but also highlights the unique social dynamics and nurturing behavior of orangutans.

Focus on capturing gestures of affection, playful interactions, and moments of learning, which provide insight into their complex social structure and emotional connections.

Patience and observation are key to capturing these intimate moments that reveal the deep bond between mother and baby orangutans.

Big males in focus

Photographing big male orangutans offers a fascinating glimpse into their physical differences, especially their larger size and distinctive facial features.

Adult males, weighing twice as much as females, are characterized by prominent cheek pads called flanges, which develop during adolescence and signify maturity and dominance. Their broader faces, pronounced jawlines, and larger throat sacs for vocalizations further distinguish them.

These elusive males are more difficult to find and photograph due to their solitary nature and extensive territories in the rainforest. Capturing close-up shots of their faces highlights these unique traits, providing insight into their age, health, and social status.

In conclusion

Photographing orangutans presents its challenges: navigating the hot and humid environment, contending with buzzing insects, managing tricky lighting, and meeting demanding physical requirements.

However, by adhering to these guidelines with patience and respect, you can capture striking and powerful orangutan photographs.

For me, and perhaps for you as well, developing a deep connection with these remarkable great apes, who share so many similarities with us, has been deeply moving. It has motivated me to use my photos as a means of conservation advocacy.

With orangutan populations declining and facing the threat of extinction, there has never been a more critical time to document their lives, share their stories, and inspire others to care and take action for their protection.

How to Photograph Orangutans