Since I am a relatively new photographer and wildlife is my thing I love going to the zoo to practice...there are always animals about and I find that I have the extra challenges of trying to work around fencing, glare from glass enclosures and people. These were taken on my most recent trip. Critiques welcome please.
You are a huge natural photographer, Kim! Do you have a background in other arts? I ask because I knew an oil painter who had a great understanding of light and composition that translated well when she picked up a camera later on in life.
What I like most about this set is you seem to really respect these animals and portray their great beauty and intelligence, even in unnatural settings.
Your close framing excludes all the distractions of a zoo and focuses our attention on the textures of their fur and their eyes. If are you doing editing, you could selectively brighten the leopard's eyes a little bit for further impact.
Super work!
chevman
Loc: Matthews, North Carolina
Real nice! Are they your pets,LOL!😁 The first one is a real keeper I really like pictures like that one.
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Jerry in NC
P.S. Glad you joined us here and look forward to more of your pictures.
KimSymon wrote:
Since I am a relatively new photographer and wildlife is my thing I love going to the zoo to practice...there are always animals about and I find that I have the extra challenges of trying to work around fencing, glare from glass enclosures and people. These were taken on my most recent trip. Critiques welcome please.
Splendid captures, Kim. You did a remarkable job avoiding the hindrances that can spoil a potentially good shot. I hope you'll be posting more images from other zoo trips. Binder Zoo is kinda far from where I live, but has my favorite big cat, the Cheetah. I'm fortunate to have two close by and am eager for warm weather so I can visit the inhabitants. Thanks for sharing, Kim.
KimSymon wrote:
Since I am a relatively new photographer and wildlife is my thing I love going to the zoo to practice...there are always animals about and I find that I have the extra challenges of trying to work around fencing, glare from glass enclosures and people. These were taken on my most recent trip. Critiques welcome please.
Very nice series. Well composed. They look like they could have been taken in a more natural habitat.
JCam
Loc: MD Eastern Shore
The zoo is always a good place to practice and these are all nice shots.
My only criticism is that some, especially the last two are cropped to tight; leave some room around the animals.
These are really nice. I also love shooting at zoos and it's quite an art with the fences and the people! The tight cropping solves part of the problem, and yours are nicely done.
All superbly composed except for #4... that is a cull ... ya cut his nose off!!! Cutting hair on #3 is OK [humm, perhaps cause I am balding] it is often done in portraits. Why throw in #4 when you had three winner... seen too often in UHH. And i have done that my self in the camera club submitted one in group of 4 because it meant something personal... like waiting for an hour to get even one shot... been there done that... we all have.
comb out the junk in the lions fur... he won't mind or it may be safer to do it with Post.
Linda from Main said: "Your close framing excludes all the distractions of a zoo and focuses our attention on the textures of their fur and their eyes." To which I would add and what the Tiger is smelling before eating??? And with a 90* profile we can not see his eyes eyeing us ready to have Human on the half shell.
KimSymon wrote:
Since I am a relatively new photographer and wildlife is my thing I love going to the zoo to practice...there are always animals about and I find that I have the extra challenges of trying to work around fencing, glare from glass enclosures and people. These were taken on my most recent trip. Critiques welcome please.
KimSymon: You might be a new photographer but you do very well. Love your animals and I to love shooting animals besides landscapes. Love your photos!!!!
Sylvias
Loc: North Yorkshire England
Excellent work Kim, beautiful big cats. Welcome to UHH.
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