Morten Koldby

Came a series of animal portraits by Morten Koldby on Cuded recently - http://www.cuded.com/2012/07/animal-portraits-by-morten-koldby/?wt=3.

 I'm not typically interested in nature photography, but I find these images fascinating. The sense of character captured in these shots is amazing. I'm intrigued as to how they were captured. How did he manage to get these animals to look so directly at him and display such a variation in facial expressions which are so anthropomorphic? My guess is that they're mainly taken in captivity. I'm assuming the white background is added later (no big deal), I just hope that the facial expressions are in no way Phtoshopped as (for me), that would reduce these shots to just being clever and amusing rather than amazing.

On a separate note it does make me think about some of the portraits that I see of humans and wonder whether they really portray the genuine characters of the subjects. i.e. if it's possible to convey these characteristics with animals that don't have human characters, then it must also possible to convey false character onto humans. I just wish I knew how photographers go about creating/drawing out these character portrayals, is it the editing, does it come down to waiting and patience, is it in the lighting or by engaging with the subject in the right way? I just know I can't do it, my portraits are always dull as dishwater.