Zoo Photography
Apr 17, 2018 11:24:37 #
bikertut wrote:
In my limited travels, I have gone to zoos from Ok... (show quote)
Good point about the circular polarizer... it can help when shooting thru glass, and you can change the reflections on a pool or pond in the enclosure as well.
Apr 17, 2018 11:25:08 #
I live less than one mile from the Detroit Zoo. It is not my favorite zoo. It is large expanse-wise so there's a lot of walking between exhibits. I bring a cart to carry my long lenses, camera, and tripod. There's not a lot of glass (except for the lions) and bars because they use moats but they have now given the animals a lot of obstructions to hide behind in their exhibits. You have to be lucky to get real good shots.
The best weather to go is Not hot and sunny. The animals will be sleeping. The Tiger goes to sleep at 10:30 am for the rest of the day. Cool and overcast is best for photography. I've got some of my best shots with flash on a cord in the indoor venues. Attached are some of my better shots through the years. Get close with your feet, lens, or by cropping to make photos like these.
The best weather to go is Not hot and sunny. The animals will be sleeping. The Tiger goes to sleep at 10:30 am for the rest of the day. Cool and overcast is best for photography. I've got some of my best shots with flash on a cord in the indoor venues. Attached are some of my better shots through the years. Get close with your feet, lens, or by cropping to make photos like these.
Fotoartist wrote:
The only place tripods are not allowed in the Detroit Zoo is in the Butterfly exhibit.
Apr 17, 2018 12:23:19 #
Fotoartist wrote:
I live less than one mile from the Detroit Zoo. It... (show quote)
those pix are fabulous... makes me think about putting my camera away!! :-)
Apr 17, 2018 12:41:49 #
If the bars are somewhat narrow you can make them all but disappear with a wide open F-stop
Apr 17, 2018 13:13:39 #
Fotoartist wrote:
The only place tripods are not allowed in the Detroit Zoo is in the Butterfly exhibit.
You are correct that these are the zoo rules... however, I have been asked more than once to not even bring my tripod into the zoo. When I tell them that the rules state that it is only the butterfly's where one can not use the tripod, they have told me that I need to take it back to my car because they are changing the rules... just a heads up. They simply are not a tripod/mono pod friendly place, and I no longer even bother to take it in with me.
kelly
Apr 17, 2018 15:03:37 #
Never heard of this. It's a large zoo. Lots of room. I'll be going next week with my cart, lenses, and tripod. My objection are the obstructions such as cut branches, loose logs, and debris that they place in the exhibits so the animals can hide behind. Some people answer with, how would you like to be on display all day? I say, I thought this was a zoo not an animal sanctuary. I've just spent $25 with parking to come in and see, photograph, and support the upkeep of, the animals. Maybe I will stay away next time? Is that what you want?
Apr 17, 2018 15:33:04 #
Apr 17, 2018 16:51:15 #
joegim
Loc: Long Island, NY
At the Bronx Zoo. Top photo was shot with Lumix G7 with 45-200 zoom 1/250, f/4, ISO 1250 at 100 mm. Bottom photo shot at 1/250, f/4, ISO 800 at 100 mm. Both show eagle in focus but in the the bottom pic the bars disappear. Is it because of the closer shooting distance? Both pics are SOOC.
Apr 17, 2018 17:17:05 #
Fotoartist wrote:
Never heard of this. It's a large zoo. Lots of roo... (show quote)
I whole heartedly agree... but that is their way of doing things... I hope that you have better results than I did.
Kelly
Apr 17, 2018 17:52:38 #
going in May, eh? Good choice, over half of the snow should be gone by then - unless we get more.
Apr 17, 2018 18:30:50 #
SS319 wrote:
going in May, eh? Good choice, over half of the snow should be gone by then - unless we get more.
Apr 17, 2018 19:31:57 #
Apr 19, 2018 04:08:22 #
Forget the "F" stop/aperture/balance. Just set the camera to auto....take the picture...and move on. If it doesn't work out....thats what the "trash-can" is for. Life it too short to worry about it!
Apr 20, 2018 08:42:39 #
joegim wrote:
At the Bronx Zoo. Top photo was shot with Lumix G7 with 45-200 zoom 1/250, f/4, ISO 1250 at 100 mm. Bottom photo shot at 1/250, f/4, ISO 800 at 100 mm. Both show eagle in focus but in the the bottom pic the bars disappear. Is it because of the closer shooting distance? Both pics are SOOC.
Yes, the 'trick' to shooting through a cage is making the distance to the bars so close that they are so completely out of focus that they seem to disappear.
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