Commercial shoot of kids at the Zoo
Dec 8, 2011 19:54:29 #
Anyone have any tips for a mostly non-commerical photographer who has an offer to do a shoot at our Zoo for their publicity campaign? It will be a lot of young kids sitting around watching the instructors bringing out a wide variety of unusual animals to see the reaction on the kid's faces. Outside, of course, but should I use a tripod and my zoom (75-300) or one of my normal 28-80, etc. lenses (Canon XTi-nothing stabilized). I know the zoom would be better but I worry about blur with them jumping around, plus it might be cloudy. ANy advice much appreciated!
Dec 8, 2011 20:03:13 #
Sounds like fun ! I guess you could just float around with the 28-80 as the kids go about their business !
Dec 8, 2011 21:59:09 #
Bring a whistle. If you want either the kids or the animals to face and or look at you, just blow. I bet a "dog" whistle will work well to. So the animals look at you but not the children. Not sure what the zoo will think of this but....
Dec 8, 2011 22:03:03 #
Hey, that is not a bad idea, but it might scare the animals to death.
Dec 9, 2011 12:00:08 #
As you didn't say what camera you will be using, increase the ISO to the next highest level your camera will take (5000 max) and don't worry about them jumping around. I would use the short zoom and shoot for individual Head and Shoulder shots with an animal in them. Watch out for monkeys, they will throw stuff...not good stuff either. Do Vertical shots to isolate the kids and get more cage in the picture.
Dec 9, 2011 12:01:45 #
Bruce H
Loc: Oregon Coast
I'd shoot with your longer telephoto. in that way you don't have to be right in their faces to get a nice shot. I use a 70-200 and 100-400 a lot of time for this type of situation. most people never notice you are pointing it at them because you can be a distance away.
Dec 9, 2011 12:14:37 #
Zoo's around here are crowded and cramped. If I took my 100-400 I don't think I could isolate individuals without a step ladder. I'm just saying...
Bruce H wrote:
I'd shoot with your longer telephoto. in that way you don't have to be right in their faces to get a nice shot. I use a 70-200 and 100-400 a lot of time for this type of situation. most people never notice you are pointing it at them because you can be a distance away.
Dec 9, 2011 12:41:00 #
Bruce H
Loc: Oregon Coast
I get up on stage at music venues with that lens and shoot performers. isolates quite well. don't know why you couldn't use it at a zoo.
Dec 9, 2011 13:41:53 #
Thanks guys,
I appreciate the advice. I am torn between the telephoto and the shorter lens....I think the event will be held in an area off to itself so getting over heads won't be a problem..I just worry about lens blur with the slower telephoto (I don't have a super lens with stabilization -yet). Maybe if the light is bright enough that won't be too much of a problem. (My Canon's ISO only goes to 1800 - don't have a super camera yet either). Seems like everything would be overexposed with the ISO set that high).
I appreciate the advice. I am torn between the telephoto and the shorter lens....I think the event will be held in an area off to itself so getting over heads won't be a problem..I just worry about lens blur with the slower telephoto (I don't have a super lens with stabilization -yet). Maybe if the light is bright enough that won't be too much of a problem. (My Canon's ISO only goes to 1800 - don't have a super camera yet either). Seems like everything would be overexposed with the ISO set that high).
Dec 9, 2011 14:15:35 #
Dec 9, 2011 14:32:14 #
Mickey88
Loc: Central Florida
nickims2 wrote:
Hey, that is not a bad idea, but it might scare the animals to death.
I'd pass on the whistle, the last thing you want to do is spook an animal and have the animal
or children get hurt
Dec 9, 2011 15:41:08 #
I always take two cameras, both are Nikon's. If you have a spare, try both lens. It sounds like lots of fun, can't wait to see some of your pictures.
Dec 9, 2011 15:56:37 #
I am lucky enough to have two cameras and a harness so I can carry both.....this way I can use both lenses and not have to worry about a missed shot or changing lenses.
I shoot with a Nikon D7000 and a D60....
If this isn't possible for you, I would go with the telephoto and bump up the ISO. You will have more versatility with it. Vary your shots between close ups of their reactions and group shots, and try to include the animals and trainer in some....offering a wider variety usually works well in situations like this. I might suggest shooting in aperture or shutter priority mode depending on your chosen depth of field and the lighting, and you will be less likely to get blurred or over/underexposed pics while you are quickly going from shot to shot....one less setting to worry about in the fast pace.
I shoot with a Nikon D7000 and a D60....
If this isn't possible for you, I would go with the telephoto and bump up the ISO. You will have more versatility with it. Vary your shots between close ups of their reactions and group shots, and try to include the animals and trainer in some....offering a wider variety usually works well in situations like this. I might suggest shooting in aperture or shutter priority mode depending on your chosen depth of field and the lighting, and you will be less likely to get blurred or over/underexposed pics while you are quickly going from shot to shot....one less setting to worry about in the fast pace.
nickims2 wrote:
Thanks guys, br I appreciate the advice. I am tor... (show quote)
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