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Shooting zoo pictures
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Aug 23, 2013 12:44:54   #
casyjones3 Loc: Bronx NY
 
erpatterson78 wrote:
I always find that when I'm trying to take pictures of animals behind glass, my pictures have reflections, some times focus on smudges on the glass, look a little ok. I've been able to move around to get rid of the reflections, smudges etc, but doing so also takes away from the angle I wanted. I am also right up next to the glass to when taking them because my Nikon D3100, only has the 18-55mm lens. I also end up making the photos B&W to help hid some flaws in the shot. I go to the zoo a lot with the kids and take lots of pictures :)
I always find that when I'm trying to take picture... (show quote)


The lens your using really limits your shots. What is needed is a zoom lens 18-200mm,55-200mm,18-300mm,
55-300mm .Any of these DX lenses would be good with your D3100.For the problem of glare a circular polarizing filter works great. Now for smudges on the glass bring along a small rag and non abrasive glass cleaner and just wipe down where you plan on shooting from. The photos below were all taken at the Bronx Zoo threw glass using a Nikon D7000 and Nikon DX 18-300mm lens with a circular polarizing filter.







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Aug 23, 2013 12:54:19   #
OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR
 
EstherP wrote:
Something I have wondered about: do these rubber lens shades allow you to press them up against the glass and still take a photo at a 45 degree or other angle through the glass?
You can't always stand exactly in front of the subject you want to photograph.
EstherP


Interesting question, so I had to try it. In a word, yes, you can. But be prepared for some serious dexterity challenges. I could hold the rubber hood against the glass and shoot at angles without vignetting, but a dirty glass window threw auto focus way off, so I had to hold the hood against the glass and manipulate the focus ring with the same hand.

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Aug 23, 2013 12:58:08   #
OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR
 
casyjones3 wrote:
Now for smudges on the glass bring along a small rag and non abrasive glass cleaner and just wipe down where you plan on shooting from.


Now why didn't I think of that? Duh! :thumbup:

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Aug 23, 2013 13:53:49   #
erpatterson78 Loc: Ohio
 
klaus wrote:
Matrix is a metering mode. For autofocus you heve the selection of either Single-Point AF, Dynamic-Area AF and 3D-Tracking. I think you are describing Dynamic-Area AF.


Klaus, you were 100% on the money. I checked my camera and metering mode is in matrix and my autofocus is set to dynamic area.

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Aug 23, 2013 13:57:04   #
erpatterson78 Loc: Ohio
 
casyjones3 wrote:
The lens your using really limits your shots. What is needed is a zoom lens 18-200mm,55-200mm,18-300mm,
55-300mm .Any of these DX lenses would be good with your D3100.For the problem of glare a circular polarizing filter works great. Now for smudges on the glass bring along a small rag and non abrasive glass cleaner and just wipe down where you plan on shooting from. The photos below were all taken at the Bronx Zoo threw glass using a Nikon D7000 and Nikon DX 18-300mm lens with a circular polarizing filter.
The lens your using really limits your shots. What... (show quote)


Thanks Casy, the lens issue I'm still working on :) I am hoping this Christmas I open a gift and it be a zoom lens. Which one is still up in the air, and a polarizing filter. It seems that this is a very popular filter that people use. I never really understood why but I'm learning more and more. Thanks for the pointers and advice.

I like those shots from the zoo too. That tiger one is neat.

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Aug 23, 2013 13:57:44   #
erpatterson78 Loc: Ohio
 
OddJobber wrote:
Now why didn't I think of that? Duh! :thumbup:


Ha makes 2 of us OddJobber :lol:

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Aug 23, 2013 14:41:34   #
Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ
 
Pentony wrote:
Why not using flash at an angle to the glass?


Problem is, the glass is almost never perfectly clean, and the light will reflect/refract on the dirt and glass imperfections.
The only way I've been able to do that is to press the face of the flash directly against the glass, using an off camera cord.
If I were going to do this a lot, I'd make a rubber hood for the flash the reduce light leakage.

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Aug 23, 2013 14:42:39   #
Pentony Loc: Earth Traveller
 
Wall-E wrote:
Problem is, the glass is almost never perfectly clean, and the light will reflect/refract on the dirt and glass imperfections.
The only way I've been able to do that is to press the face of the flash directly against the glass, using an off camera cord.
If I were going to do this a lot, I'd make a rubber hood for the flash the reduce light leakage.


Thanks ;)

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Aug 23, 2013 20:44:42   #
PlsFStopIt Loc: Kansas City
 
I saw a video where a guy took a Mylar mirror and cut a hole for his I-pad lens to shoot through. The primates were attracted to their own reflection and the Mylar sheet would shade for glare. I have the Mylar sheet but haven't tried cutting the hole for my DLSR lens yet, so I have not tried it. The main advantage is that your subject may come to you to investigate, so a macro or wide angle lens might help.

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Sep 3, 2013 23:24:20   #
erpatterson78 Loc: Ohio
 
PlsFStopIt interesting, I'll I might look that up and check it out. I've yet to go back to the zoo to take pictures, been busy. I do want to try these ideas out and see how the pictures end up. I'm sure they won't be worse than what I'm used to shooting ;)

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