Zoo photography tips

RichardC27

RichardC27

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Richard
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Evening all,

I'm going to Chester zoo in a couple of weeks with my girlfriend, and somewhat amazingly she's agreed to me taking my camera. I know a lot of people on here shoot at zoos, so any tips and tricks for getting some decent images would be gratefully appreciated. The gear I'll be using is listed in my sig.
 
I would just go for the 120-400 to be honest. HSM and OS to give you a helping hand depending on how close/far they are. Would be easy to just keep the 18-125 in the bag but you should be able to sing happy with the longer lens.
 
Take a monopod, if you've got one.
Take your time to enjoy the whole zoo, the whole day.
Make sure you check the weather, before you go. If it's going to be rainy then take some form of protective cover for your kit.
Make sure to feed your girlfriend.
 
That was quick, even for TP. I haven't got a monopod, I don't really get on with them, and there is no way she'll let me carry one of those round anyway. My lens has got image stabilisation so I should be ok if I need to use slow shutter speeds.
 
Definitely take your 120-400; I went to the Welsh Mountain Zoo last month and used my 70-200 all day long; didn't change it once.

Once thing that I wished I had had at the time was my nifty fifty; that would've been pretty useful for the reptile house I reckon, as they're usually quite dark and you can get pretty close to the reptiles, so you might want to try that.

Tripod is essential as well.. or at least is was for me as it was very poor December light.

Have fun :)
 
RichardC27 said:
Evening all,

I'm going to Chester zoo in a couple of weeks with my girlfriend, and somewhat amazingly she's agreed to me taking my camera.
Click to expand...

My tip is don't go with your girlfriend, if she's not into photography she'll get bored, especially as it's cold, you'll get much better shots if you don't feel pressured to keep moving.

when I went last year I could have spent an hour with the Cheetahs because the walkway gave an aerial view with no fences ,10 minutes and I was getting the eye :D

next time i'll be going on my own

you'll only need the 120-400mm, I took a sigma 120-300mm and didn't use anything else all day, just carried it round with me :bonk:
 
I would just take the 120-400 and injoy the day Chester zoo is a big place so i would be there first thing so you can spend some time getting the pics you want, look forward to seing the pics :thumbs:
 
Wail said:
Make sure to feed your girlfriend.
Make sure you check the weather, before you go. If it's going to be rainy then take some form of protective cover for your girlfriend.
Take your time to enjoy the whole zoo, the whole day.
Make sure to feed your girlfriend.
Take a monopod, if you've got one.
Click to expand...

There, assuming he wants this event to happen more than once I put those in the right order with a minor correction ;) :D
 
On top of what everybody esle has said

1) Set aperture priority mode and set the largest aperture you have (smallest number)
2) Adjust ISO to get shutter speeds up above 1/250th if possible
3) Try to shoot animals when they are away from the fences, and preferably with no fence in the background if you can,

the large aperture will mean narrow depth of field and will blur the fences, but only if the animal is far enough away from it.
 
IanC_UK said:
.....


3) Try to shoot animals when they are away from the fences, and preferably with no fence in the background if you can,

......
Click to expand...


If I can add to that, try to get the animals without anything else in the picture other than their environment. Especially, avoid anything that shows them to be in captivity, and avoid other people showing too.

It's harder to compose pictures like this, but it will yield far better results for you.
 
RichardtheSane,

I have to say that's a lot better :thumbs:
 
Wail said:
If I can add to that, try to get the animals without anything else in the picture other than their environment. Especially, avoid anything that shows them to be in captivity, and avoid other people showing too.

It's harder to compose pictures like this, but it will yield far better results for you.
Click to expand...

Yep i should have added "no other man made features in the background" to that thanks for the correction :)
 
Far be it for me to able to correct you!
 
am off to chester zoo myself tomorrow, all alone leaving the family at work & nursery


cant wait
 
RichardC27 said:
I haven't got a monopod
Click to expand...

Beanbag! I haven't got a monopod (yet) but on a recent zoo trip got some good results using a beanbag leaning on top of fences, posts etc.
 
IanC_UK said:
On top of what everybody esle has said

1) Set aperture priority mode and set the largest aperture you have (smallest number)
2) Adjust ISO to get shutter speeds up above 1/250th if possible
3) Try to shoot animals when they are away from the fences, and preferably with no fence in the background if you can,

the large aperture will mean narrow depth of field and will blur the fences, but only if the animal is far enough away from it.
Click to expand...

Also, get as close to the fence/glass as possible. I quite often have the end of my lens resting on the fence or glass.
 
BEST Tip I would give, take a shortish lens, walk round with the girlfriend, snap the animals and their enclosures and have a fun time.....THEN, go back on your own, with a rough plan of what you want to shoot with the 120-400 and be prepared to spend some time by each enclosure. Invest in a monopod if you can as that sa big lens to hold by any enclosure for any length of time, the monopod take sthe weight and is flexible enough to follow animals around.

Most of all, ENJOY!! :D
 
The cheetah walkway is awesome. A great way to view them and if you catch them at lunch nice to catch them chowing down on a rabbit.

2712079962_2369aea4f6.jpg


I only took my 24-70 when I went but was great in the chimps house at f/2.8.
 
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