Shooting through Fences

[iant]

Now that I have most of my equipment assembled, Im planning a Zoo trip (that way I can concentrate on my shots rather than looking for things to shoot).

Many of the enclosures I expect will have some sort of chain link fence, and I know its possible to focus out the links, but how exactly is it done?

Also, can anyone give me any brief advice about shooting through glass, probably indoors.

 

[grumpybadger]

For shooting through glass I wrote this.

For shooting through fences, get as close as possible to the fence, use a wide aperture and make sure the middle of your lens is lined up with the middle of the holes in the fence.

It is easier if the animals are back from the fence a bit too...

 

[Kerioak]

Chain link - if you can safely get up against it then this is the best - do a search for some WHF outings (lions, tigers, leopards) last year and these were taken right up against the wire in most cases. Otherwise use manual focus to focus on the animals (your camera will try and focus on the nearest object, usually the fence) and get further away, they may be a little fuzzy but that cannot be helped.

You can practice before you get to the zoo by using fences around you.

Glass from indoors - do not use direct flash Clean the windows and watch for reflections, do not have lights on inside. Reflections can also be heavy when the light is shining directly though the window against objects inside

 

[Knikki]

Shooting through a fence use a telephoto lens anything from 150mm upwards, should throw the fence out enough. Just do a quick 'chimp' check.

Glass is a bit tricky becuase your autofocus may pick up on it, so use manual facus if you can, check for reflections so get the lens as close to the glass as possible. Oh and look for a claen bit. Most glass in zoos seem to have kids face/lip, 'whatever they were eating at the time' marks on them.
Ultimatly you could use a polorizing filter to cut the reflection, but you will have to up the ISO in this light to compensate for the light loss using the filter.

Have fun and don't feed the lions

 

[iant]

For shooting through glass I wrote this.

For shooting through fences, get as close as possible to the fence, use a wide aperture and make sure the middle of your lens is lined up with the middle of the holes in the fence.

It is easier if the animals are back from the fence a bit too...

Just read that, good stuff, I never even thought about pressing the flash against the glass.

 

[iant]

Good idea about practicing before I go, Ill stand the wife at the otherside and "pretend" she is a wild animal. Im not sure about geting close up at the zoo as from my recollection, there are often two rows of fencing.

 

[albion]

Good idea about practicing before I go, Ill stand the wife at the otherside and "pretend" she is a wild animal. Im not sure about geting close up at the zoo as from my recollection, there are often two rows of fencing.

Hope SWMBO is not reading over your shoulder