Here are a few tips on how to take good pictures at the zoo. Everyone wants to take pictures when they go to the zoo. Here are a few points on how to make those pictures better.
Don't try to lug around a lot of equipment. Remember, you are at the zoo and probably around a lot of children and you are going to do a lot of walking!
· Don't bring a tripod. Chances are that it will get tripped over by a child. Most SLR digital cameras have a built in stabilizer to reduce camera shake. When you get ready to take the picture, take a breath and hold it, then snap your shot.
· Don't try to carry around a big camera bag. An SLR digital camera or even a good point and shoot digital camera with a small zoom capability will be just fine. The animals are put as close to you as safely possible by the zoo. If you have a gradient lens for your SLR camera, that will help reduce the glare from the glass and not wash out the sky.
· Do bring an extra camera battery. To catch that great shot, you are probably going to take several shots of the same animal and you are probably going to be there most of the day. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
· Do bring an extra flash card. It's rare that one goes bad, but again I would be on the safe side.
· Do bring some type of glass cleaner wipes. Windex has small packages of window cleaner wipes. Children and going to have put their little hands and probably noses, against the glass and you need to clean the glass to get a good, clear shot. (A small bottle of hand sanitizer wouldn't be a bad idea either, just because!)
· Do wear comfortable shoes!!! Remember you going to be doing a lot of walking!
The best times to take pictures at the zoo.
Try to time your trip during school hours. It will be a lot less crowded and you don't have to worry so much about tripping over little children while you are trying to take that perfect shot.
Go as early of a morning as you can. First thing of a morning the animals are being fed and are more likely to be outside their "dens" waiting for their food. It is also cooler earlier in the day and will be more likely to be out walking around. In the heat of the day, they are going to be resting either inside their "dens" or lying around in the shade.
If possible, try to go on a day that is going to be overcast. Hopefully you can choose a day that it doesn't rain, but the overcast skies will really help. You won't have to fight the light and shadows issue and your colors will be more subdued.
A few more tips...
Set your camera on multi-shot if you can. As the animals are walking around, you may get that great shot you weren't really expecting.
"Rattle their cage." You can call the animals, talk to them and make all the little noises you want to, to try to get them to either turn around or come towards you. It's not going to work. They hear that all the time and have learned to just ignore it. What they do pay attention to is either the sound of the cage being opened or the sound of keys. When I say, "rattle their cage", I don't mean to get aggressive with it, just try to make it sound like you are opening it. Jiggle your car keys. All these gates and enclosures have locks on them. They are used to hearing keys rattle when their food is coming in.
When taking pictures through glass, a gradient lens will really help adjust your pictures. Either with or without the lens, you want to put your camera lightly against the glass at about a 25% angle and shoot the picture. (Remember to have wiped the glass clean first.)
Don't worry about using your flash. The animals are very used to flashes and if it not allowed somewhere within the zoo, it will be clearly posted.
When taking pictures through fences or caging, get as close to the fence as possible. (Of course, stay within the safe boundaries set by the zoo.) You want your subject to be rather far away from the fence. This will let you zoom in on the subject and blur out the fence.
Well there are a few thing I hope will make your picture- taking trip to the zoo a little better! Remember, above all, make it fun. Oh! Watch the monkeys closely, because they like to throw poo! Have a great trip!
Sheila Brown is a professional photographer who writes articles on nature photography and equipment. To view some of Sheila's nature pictures, go to http://www.shopbeautifulnaturepictures.com/
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