Dudley Zoo & Castle (first shots with my sigma 70-300)

[Slvrbck]

Hi all,
Went to Dudley Zoo and Castle today with the wife and kids.

I had contacted them first to make sure I would be ok taking photos on site and they where fine about it.

It was also my first outing with my new Sigma 70-300 APO

I'm still learning a lot of things about my camera, new lenses and photography in general & as a result, I was disappointed with 99% of the shot that I took.

Here are 2 that I think are ok.

http://www.slvrbck.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Myspace_Images/Lemur.jpg

Upped the contrast a tad on the Lemur but that’s all.
The framing isn’t the best I don't think.

http://www.slvrbck.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Myspace_Images/Steps.jpg

B&W conversion and a bit of cropping on this one.

As always C&C and advice more than welcome.

[Duckydoodle]

Love the lemur shot slvrbck nice and sharp and nice composition :thumbs:
Been thinking about visiting Dudley Zoo as I only live 5 minutes away but it looks so unkempt and scruffy from the outside.

[Slvrbck]

Cheers DD,
I only live about 5 mins away and today was the first time I have ever been.
Despite how it looks from outside it is really nice inside and for £11 each it's a nice day out.

[Slvrbck]

Only other one that I was happy with from the day.....
http://www.slvrbck.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Myspace_Images/Monkey.jpg

[Slvrbck]

Just a quick shameless bump to see if I can get any more C&C or advice :nono:

[pearce_jj]

Not too sure about the steps personally - looks like it should be leading somewhere, i.e. not cropped. IMHO of course :)

Like the animals though.

[Dark Star]

I like the lemur but I love the steps!!!! Well seen and processed!

[Slvrbck]

Thanks for the comments guys....

Not too sure about the steps personally - looks like it should be leading somewhere
Can't remember if I had any of the top image in the origional shot but I will have a look when I get back.

I like the lemur but I love the steps!!!!
Cheers Dark Star:thumbs:. Have seen a few people pull of some cracking shots of steops so thought I would give it a go ;)

[purplefungus]

I went Dudley Zoo last year and it was my first outing with my 70-300 as well.

I like the steps. I'm getting into B&W photos lately. Has quite a lot of depth to it. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more though, even if you think they're bad. The Lemur one is good, nothing wrong with it as an animal portrait kinda thing. Good colours in it too.

For the monkey picture - generally when shooting animals/wildlife, you should try and avoid capturing anything that makes them look like they're not in the wild. Fences, toys, people, etc. There's quite a lot of it in the picture.

Thing I noticed about going to Dudley was that I was so hell bent on taking pictures of the Tigers (because they're so awesome) that I wasn't thinking too much about the actual picture, I just wanted a picture of the Tiger awake or doing something interesting. So my next little outing ended up being Birmingham Nature Centre and its a lot smaller and doesn't have the exotic animals but it helped me think more about the composure of the shot, etc.

EDIT: I'm glad I'm not the only one that seems to be going a bit step crazy. I've been taking a lot of pictures of steps lately and people think I'm a right idiot but its true about them making interesting pictures. Well I think so anyway :)

[CT]

I like the steps - I know exactly where they are, and the lines and textures make a nice image there. :thumbs:

Having done Dudley Zoo myself, I know it 's certainly not designed for the convenience of photographers, in fact most enclosures are just downright frustratingly difficult - the Lemur enclosure being a notable exception, and probably the Meerkats being another. I didn't have many keepers to boast for my last visit there so I wouldn't reproach yourself too much. ;)

[Slvrbck]

Cheers for looking guys,
I will post a couple more tonight.
Maybe with links to full size images? See what a few peoples PP can make of them?:thinking: