I'm going to the zoo tomorrow.

X

xSitara™

Messages
1,296
Edit My Images
No
So excited, the last time I went i got some decent photos but this time i'm going with a tripod and better lenses.

Any tips guys?
 
If there's the usual wire fences in the way try and get as close to the fence as you can and manual focus on the animals inside. That way the fence will be so out of focus you'll hardly see it. Here's a shot I took last week of a Kookaburra at a 'Parrot Zoo' near skegness and this was behind a 3/4" square mesh. The fencing in the background is the rear of the cage and it was taken at f2.8 with my 70-200 MkII about 2 feet from the fence and the bird was 5-6 feet behind that. The shot has no PP other than resize and while it's not great it does give an idea. TBH I wouldn't bother taking a tripod with you as you might find it getting knocked by the other people around you and spoil the shot. A monopod would be better, but handheld is best if you can keep the shutter speed up.

7837601026_07470eed9c_b.jpg
[/url][/IMG]
 
Last edited:
Look for angles - it's easy to just rock up at an enclosure and snap away but look around and find objects (branches, flora etc) that could help make the shot look a bit more natural, even if it's OOF to give the shot some depth.

Watch the animals - some may have habits or patterns that are predictable.

Watch out for smudged glass - some places are filthy. If they're indoors where flash might have to be used then you end up picking up all sorts in between you and the animal.

Look for good reflections where water is concerned. I'm really happy with this shot of a flamingo at Twycross because the reflection worked really well. I tried doing 'straight' shots of the birds from lower angles looking across the water but they just looked like flamingos in captivity, no matter where I shot from and lacked 'oomph'.


Reflection by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr

Enjoy the trip :)
 
Summer holiday time? Yeah just watch out for the smudged glass and long enough lens if you have. Worst case scenario, crop after. ;-)
 
Why what happened?
 
specialman said:
Look for angles - it's easy to just rock up at an enclosure and snap away but look around and find objects (branches, flora etc) that could help make the shot look a bit more natural, even if it's OOF to give the shot some depth.

Watch the animals - some may have habits or patterns that are predictable.

Watch out for smudged glass - some places are filthy. If they're indoors where flash might have to be used then you end up picking up all sorts in between you and the animal.

Look for good reflections where water is concerned. I'm really happy with this shot of a flamingo at Twycross because the reflection worked really well. I tried doing 'straight' shots of the birds from lower angles looking across the water but they just looked like flamingos in captivity, no matter where I shot from and lacked 'oomph'.


Reflection by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr

Enjoy the trip :)
Click to expand...

The reflection in that looks awesome, I tried my best to get a couple like that but yours is nice. Dead on centre nice colours aswell.
 
towershot said:
It's not a bad average ,if they are keepers.

if you can get 30 keepers in a environment you cannot control ,people walking past,dirty glass to shoot through,Animals sleeping,not bad at all.:thumbs:
Click to expand...

I suppose. The Sigma 70-300 apo is a good lens for the price if you have patience, I just feel I need an upgrade.

Here are a couple more.


Lioness by SitaraPhotos, on Flickr


Lioness by SitaraPhotos, on Flickr


Flamingos by SitaraPhotos, on Flickr


Lemur by SitaraPhotos, on Flickr


Tiger by SitaraPhotos, on Flickr​
 
Don't beat yourself up, I think you've done really well. The one with the Lioness scowling is definitely my favourite one & your last one strikes a chord with me too, I like it
 
modchild said:
If there's the usual wire fences in the way try and get as close to the fence as you can and manual focus on the animals inside. That way the fence will be so out of focus you'll hardly see it. Here's a shot I took last week of a Kookaburra at a 'Parrot Zoo' near skegness and this was behind a 3/4" square mesh. The fencing in the background is the rear of the cage and it was taken at f2.8 with my 70-200 MkII about 2 feet from the fence and the bird was 5-6 feet behind that. The shot has no PP other than resize and while it's not great it does give an idea. TBH I wouldn't bother taking a tripod with you as you might find it getting knocked by the other people around you and spoil the shot. A monopod would be better, but handheld is best if you can keep the shutter speed up.

7837601026_07470eed9c_b.jpg
[/url][/IMG]
Click to expand...

with a couple of mins work you can make the mesh vanish hope you dont mind had a play


http://www.flickr.com/photos/73864252@N04/7886085032/ http://www.flickr.com/people/73864252@N04/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top