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Photoshoot at a Zoo
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Dec 29, 2018 08:15:46   #
tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
 
I see many great photos of animals on this website so just bought a $10 ticket to attend a photoshoot at the local zoo. Captive animals as subjects will be a new endeavor for me.
I'll be looking closely at images on UHH between now and the several months future event.
Hopefully when zoo animal photos are posted between now and then there will be some camera/lens settings listed along with them.
The sponsor of the event will provide "many lenses to tryout" and put on a "how to" seminar. Thank you in advance.

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Dec 29, 2018 08:36:00   #
Jandjeby14
 
I assume you are aware of the Photo Ark by Joel Sartore. Look at his web site. His goal is to take photos of every species in human care. Some 8754 up to now He gives a fantastic lecture if you have opportunity. John

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Dec 29, 2018 09:08:43   #
suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ
 
My own personal bias but I hate to see animals that are meant to run free kept in captivity in too small, dirty areas with everyone gawking at them. I hate zoos!

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Dec 29, 2018 09:17:35   #
CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida
 
Sounds like a good time and interesting. I read an article a while back that said many of the "wild" animal shots were actually taken in a zoo/sanctuary facility.
As to "settings"- each shot and each enclosure will take different settings. I would recommend the fastest lenses you have and try Auto ISO so you get the shot. Post-processing can be your best friend. You may not be allowed to use a tripod so take a monopod also if you have one.

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Dec 29, 2018 11:18:56   #
tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
 
Jandjeby14 wrote:
I assume you are aware of the Photo Ark by Joel Sartore...

I was not until you mentioned it, I'll bookmark it. Thank You

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Dec 29, 2018 11:20:31   #
tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
 
CPR wrote:
...As to "settings"- each shot and each enclosure will take different settings. I would recommend the fastest lenses you have and try Auto ISO so you get the shot. Post-processing can be your best friend. You may not be allowed to use a tripod so take a monopod also if you have one.

Very good advice, thank you!

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Dec 29, 2018 11:26:31   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
I don't hate zoos but I find most zoo images to be poorly done. When done correctly, they are quite nice. Hopefully, yours will be well done.

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Dec 29, 2018 11:41:22   #
tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
 
kpmac wrote:
...Hopefully, yours will be well done.

The subjects should be great since our zoo is rated as the 4th best in the nation.
I too have seen photos captured in zoos that were not all that great but every once in a while I have thought I was along on the African Safari with the photographer to learn he was walking around in a zoo.
Since I've been to a couple events put on by this camera shop, I'm sure this will be the best opportunity for me to learn and possibly get a few good shots myself.

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Dec 29, 2018 12:42:08   #
Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx
 
tommy2 wrote:
I see many great photos of animals on this website so just bought a $10 ticket to attend a photoshoot at the local zoo. Captive animals as subjects will be a new endeavor for me.
I'll be looking closely at images on UHH between now and the several months future event.
Hopefully when zoo animal photos are posted between now and then there will be some camera/lens settings listed along with them.
The sponsor of the event will provide "many lenses to tryout" and put on a "how to" seminar. Thank you in advance.
I see many great photos of animals on this website... (show quote)


There are dozens of good online tips and tutorials for zoo shoots. Here's a pretty good one: https://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/top-10-zoo-photography-tips/
My recommendation is to practice before the photo shoot. If you have one, start out the in the backyard with your dog and/or wait for a lightly cloudy day, grab your gear and head to the zoo. Some of the best advice I have is to use a tripod, take a polarizer to shoot though glass and be patient. Wait for your subject to pose or exhibit interesting behavior. Babies are always a favorite. Don't take a shot unless you can see the eyes and focus on the eye(s). If they eye(s) are not sharp, toss the image. Watch the backgrounds and search for the best angles. Hopefully, on the zoo shoot, they will give you access to animals that hide most of the day, or get you feeding time shots.


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Dec 29, 2018 16:01:46   #
Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.
 
Jandjeby14 wrote:
I assume you are aware of the Photo Ark by Joel Sartore. Look at his web site. His goal is to take photos of every species in human care. Some 8754 up to now He gives a fantastic lecture if you have opportunity. John

Joel's misson and photo's are great.....now if only WE coould get in the places that he and his crew have access too

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Dec 29, 2018 16:04:39   #
Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.
 
tommy2 wrote:
I see many great photos of animals on this website so just bought a $10 ticket to attend a photoshoot at the local zoo. Captive animals as subjects will be a new endeavor for me.
I'll be looking closely at images on UHH between now and the several months future event.
Hopefully when zoo animal photos are posted between now and then there will be some camera/lens settings listed along with them.
The sponsor of the event will provide "many lenses to tryout" and put on a "how to" seminar. Thank you in advance.
I see many great photos of animals on this website... (show quote)


Take a look at these and other post that Paul has posted on the UHH....I feel his are the best you well fin here on the UHH...

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-567983-1.html

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Dec 29, 2018 16:38:08   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Many years ago while visiting one of my favorite photo equipment stores in NYC - FotoCare - they had an exhibit done by a local photographer of animals in the Central Park Zoo. But rather than try to show them to appear to be in their natural habitat, the photographer, who's name I can't remember, chose instead to shoot them as unhappy in captivity, and included fencing and bars in every shot. This was in the early 70s, and the images left a tremendous impact on me.

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Dec 29, 2018 16:39:15   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
tommy2 wrote:
I see many great photos of animals on this website so just bought a $10 ticket to attend a photoshoot at the local zoo. Captive animals as subjects will be a new endeavor for me.
I'll be looking closely at images on UHH between now and the several months future event.
Hopefully when zoo animal photos are posted between now and then there will be some camera/lens settings listed along with them.
The sponsor of the event will provide "many lenses to tryout" and put on a "how to" seminar. Thank you in advance.
I see many great photos of animals on this website... (show quote)

Hi Neighbor!
One of the biggest advantages that the Fort Worth Zoo provides, in my opinion, is that in most cases, you are shooting from the same level as the animals...you are generally not elevated and looking down on them. Also, many of the environments are quite large and offer angles without distracting elements. I will be very interested in learning what the folks providing the training suggest to you. On my last visit, I took only a 70-200mm zoom and had a great time all day long. The biggest challenge photographically is handling the contrast between the sunlit and shaded areas under the Texas sun. Zoo hours tend to coincide with the harshest light of the day, so a cloudy day there can be your best friend.

Many of the exhibit areas are completely new since I last visited. Hopefully the ground level viewing perspective has been maintained, rather than elevated viewing areas, which to me are not as natural, especially for photography.

Please be sure to say hello to the Meerkats for me.

Suntouched...take comfort in the fact that because of habitat loss and poaching, zoos and their conservation programs are the last real hope for survival for many species, a number of which are being actively protected in Fort Worth.

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Dec 29, 2018 19:31:37   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
The Fort Worth Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Cameron Park Zoo (Waco), Fossil Rim Wildlife Reserve, Houston Zoo, San Antonio Zoo, Abilene Zoo, Victoria Zoo, Gladys Park Zoo, Tyler Zoo and the Austin Rescue Zoo are real jewels in Texas. They all strive to provide good habitats, living environments, quality food and superior medical care to their animals. People that disclaim or dislike zoos are working with little to no knowledge of what zoos really provide in the day and time. If it wasn't for the efforts of the zoos many of the species would never again be seen on earth. The white tigers are extinct in the wild and only 400 are maintained in the zoo shelters. The snow leopard will soon be extinct if hunting persists as with many other species. The zoos I mentioned and many others place the welfare of the animals above the entertainment of the general public. The Bronx Zoo in New York does extensive research as does the San Diego Zoo. If you know of something a zoo does that might harm or put a zoo animal in danger all you need to do is file a complaint with the FDA. The biggest difference in making images in zoos versus Africa is the cost of transportation and the expense of a guide. They put you in a 4 by 4 and drive you close to the lions, gorillas, elephants or other exotics. By the way, it's a show and tourist adventure. How do you think they keep the animals close to the vehicle routes? They plant food of course and sometime the food is live and staked out. If you are anti-zoo, I suggest that you get involved and discover the facts. The zoos are great photo adventures and not near as easy as you might think. I do photography in zoos across the United States, some more often than others, and I find it challenging and rewarding. $10 is a small fee to pay for a photo shoot at the Fort Worth Zoo. Have a wonderful time. It's one of my personal favorites. The Rooster image is a personal favorite of a bird who chooses to live at the Austin Rescue Zoo and kind of rules-the roost so to speak.
tommy2 wrote:
I see many great photos of animals on this website so just bought a $10 ticket to attend a photoshoot at the local zoo. Captive animals as subjects will be a new endeavor for me.
I'll be looking closely at images on UHH between now and the several months future event.
Hopefully when zoo animal photos are posted between now and then there will be some camera/lens settings listed along with them.
The sponsor of the event will provide "many lenses to tryout" and put on a "how to" seminar. Thank you in advance.
I see many great photos of animals on this website... (show quote)


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Dec 29, 2018 19:39:13   #
patman1 Loc: Pataskala, Ohio
 
Very nice shots, one question, what's with the chicken! Left over lunch.😁

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