TAKING GREAT ZOO PHOTOS IS A SNAP!
* Be prepared, have fresh batteries, lots of film and have your camera loaded!
* Vary your camera angles, don't always hold your camera horizontally, try framing your shot vertically for a more dynamic photo.
* Try not to use shutter speeds slower than the focal length of your lens. With a 200 mm lens, the slowest safe shutter speed for sharp photos is 1/250 of a second.
* When using long lenses, apertures from 2.8 to 5.6 can eliminate or blur chain link fencing. Tripods keep the camera steady for sharp photos.
* Eye contact with an animal makes an exciting photo.
* If possible, be at the level of the animal, shooting down distorts the image.
* Early morning and late afternoon offers the best light for photographs. For better photos, make sure the sun is behind.
* Foggy or rainy days offer diffused light with no shadows, a great opportunity.
* Use a flash for fill-in light whenever possible.
* Keep a notebook to record your film speed, aperture, shutter speed, lens and lighting. You will be able to know what works and what doesn't.
* Don't limit yourself to only animal shots, there are many interesting and beautiful plants at the zoo.
* Don't expect the animals to perform for you, they often rest during the day.
* Above all, bring plenty of PATIENCE, PATIENCE AND PATIENCE, after all taking photos is FUN!PHOTO ZOO ETIQUETTE:
TO MAKE THE ZOO A RELAXING PLACE FOR YOU AND THE ANIMALSDon't disturb the animals by yelling or making loud noises. (They have heard them all and will just ignore you anyway). Please don't feed the animals, they are on strict diets to maintain their health. (Your fingers and germs are not on their dietary list). Please don't climb over fences or barriers for closer shots. (The animals are always looking for new things to play with, your camera should amuse them for hours)!
Zoos offers a variety of opportunities for the photographer to take great photos. All animals are on exhibit but most of the time, they have the option to utilize den areas or rest or sleep out of sight. Be patient if you don't see an animal immediately, most often, they may be right in front of you, so keep looking!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO PHOTOGRAPH?
Sometimes you can catch a great moment, the lion roaring, the zebras running, the cheetah eating or a snake yawning. Most of the time, you will find an animal resting. Again, be prepared, do some research on the animals you want to photograph. Does the lion roar at certain times of the day, are the zebras more frisky at different times, when does the cheetah usually eat and when can you anticipate a snake yawning? Learn about natural behaviors animals have in the wild. Many of these behaviors can be seen in the zoo. Zoos have regular feeding schedules and routines. Read all you can about animals you want to photograph and you may be able to anticipate certain behaviors and capture it on film.
When you arrive at the zoo, have your equipment ready, batteries checked, camera loaded, tripod attached. BE READY! Check the zoo map and find the animals you want to photograph first. Lions and tiger sleep most of the day. Perhaps they should be your first choice to photograph. Ask about special events, feedings or activities that might be great photo opportunities. Plan to spend the day. Bring a lunch or eat at the zoo. Late afternoon offers different lighting and some animals that are active later in the day.
The art of arranging all the elements of a photo for the best effect. Experiment with different compositions, if there is a flock of flamingoes, try selecting a single bird or two. Do you want an action shot or a portrait? Do you want the whole body or just the head, or maybe just the beak or feet to isolate an interesting body part.Get as close to the subject as possible. Fill the frame with the animals. Eliminate distracting items like wire, other animals, feeding bowls, or branches coming out of the animals head. For whole body shots, don't cut off the feet. Do as much of your framing in the viewfinder, before you take the photo. Try not to cut off other important body parts.
When photographing through glass, have your camera lens and flash as close to the glass as possible. If you have a detachable flash, use it off to one side to avoid glare. Using flash in day-light is called fill-in flash and helps to "fill-in" the shadows.
** Much thanks to Carol for sending me this article! Carol is quite qualified, as she worked as a zoo photographer for many years!
GOOD LUCK AT THE ZOO!
Here is a great link to help you find a zoo near you!
Check out Zoo Net! - This site has a listing of all the zoos in the United States, and it also lists zoos in
the rest of the world. It also has other information on endangered species and some great links. Now
all you have to do is pack up your equipment and GO! Be sure to email me with your photos when you return
so that they can be displayed on the guest pages!Are you an advanced amateur or expert in a particular field of photography?? What is your specialty? Write
an article to be posted here with the others! You can help all of our visitors and club members improve their
skills! Email me at the above address if interested.