Comments on: Zoo Photography

By: Robyn Carter

Robyn Carter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:54:40 +0000

I carry a small bottle of window cleaner watered down wth a bit of water, and a cloth in my camera bag at all times. I’ve used it so many times at the zoo, I’m surprised they haven’t come up to me and hired me on the spot to wash all the glass!!!

It is really worth the troublle to get clean shots through the glass.

I also find the best times at the zoo is early morning – as soon as the zoo opens.

Cheers
Robyn

By: Dave1943

Dave1943 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:47:56 +0000

I went to Newquey Zoo Cornwall a little while ago with my ganddaughter and took some photos as I am only just new to this thought it be good time to try and improve my photography. I have posted them on my website.
http//davidgrainger-photography.co.uk

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:48:31 +0000

Sometimes, the animals do pose:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancylh/4104301562
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancylh/4104306272
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancylh/4103544329

By: Howie taylor

Howie taylor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:23:58 +0000

Hi folks,
Darren, thank you for such a great site. Loads of great info and above all, the way you make it so easy to read and follow. I have been teaching photography for a couple of years and have directed some of my students your way when they have had problems understanding technical descriptions etc.
Asmita, I have a D300 Nikon and my lenses are a short 17-70mm, a macro 105mm and a 70-300 mm zoom. The zoom is great for getting shots in zoos and when i’m out and about in the woods. When I need really close up texture shots of animals or I can get close to smaller beaties then the macro lens comes into its own. Hope this helps.
regards

Howie

By: John Zhu

John Zhu — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:15:39 +0000

I love shooting at the zoo. We go to the North Carolina zoo several times each year. It has a very nice, natural setting with huge exhibits for animals. Here are a few of my favorite shots from our trip last month:

The rest: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jzunc/sets/72157622542255631/detail/

I also really like the setup at the Miami zoo, where they hide a deep moat around most exhibits so that they can use low fences instead of cages or plexiglass even for more aggressive animals. It allows you to get much closer to the animal.

One problem I run into at the zoo is the frequent need to switch lenses as you go from a large exhibit where the animals are far away to a smaller exhibit where the animal is just a few feet from you. I use a 70-300 zoom lens and the 18-55 kit lens and find myself switching back and forth a lot. What would be a good happy medium between those?

By: Asmita Mane

Asmita Mane — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:21:06 +0000

Hello I am asmita from india now iam having nikon D3000 DSLR with 18-55 lems and 10megapexsel camera So i want to buy new lens for wlid life photography plz help me wihich lens should i buy.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:33:19 +0000

I love the zoo, at least the animals don’t pose when you take a picture.

" a pictures where I didn’t dare to go real close…I used my zoom lens here.

" an example of a picture through the bars. this was taken at a “zoo” where to hold badly kept birds and birds people try to smuggle. this was the best looking, most of them are without feathers etc.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:43:34 +0000

Where do you get these photos from? I’m interesting in knowing if I can submit my flickr or something so my photos could be used if appropriate :-)

By: Paul Drumm

Paul Drumm — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:38:48 +0000

Dublin zoo, in Ireland, is currently going through a revamp and the new enclosures are more spacious and lend to a more natural environment for the animal. This allows for some photos of the animals acting a little more natural. I suppose the best advice for shooting animals, whether in captivity or not, is to try and connect with them in the shot….using most, if not all of the tips above, generally helps with this!!

Here’s some of my favorite shots from a recent trip to Dublin zoo in Ireland:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drummp2/3301611708/in/set-72157619332098166/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drummp2/3301633042/in/set-72157619332098166/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drummp2/3300755829/in/set-72157619332098166/

By: Iris Hicks

Iris Hicks — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:33:41 +0000

I live one block from the San Diego Zoo. Since it is in my backyard so to speak I have spent years taking zoo photographs. This article is one of the best summaries on zoo photography I have ever read.