A lion paces back and forth as the sun sets on his den at the
world famous San Diego Zoo.
This summer I spent a generous amount of time visiting my hometown zoo, the San Diego Zoo. My girlfriend and I got our year memberships in early April. Zoo’s are unlike any other environment. The variety of exotic animals all existing in the same place, can make animal photography very rewarding. But shooting in such and enclosed environment can present itself with its own set of challenges and difficulties. So here are a few zoo photography tips for you.
1. Buy yourself a telephoto lens.
In general, animals tend to be farther away than initially perceived. Even a cheap telephoto is better than no telephoto.
2. An active lion makes a better picture than a sleeping lion. So wait for them to roar and interact with other lions. The only way to do that is to stalk them. Patience is key.
3. Step two is hard to do when you can only afford to be at the zoo for one day. Which brings me to my next point. I recommend getting a year pass. Depending on how much you plan on visiting, a year pass could very well be worth your while.
4. Unless you are trying to make an artistic statement, the enclosure of an animal is not a good idea to feature. To avoid it shoot at a wide aperture. This will allow you to bypass any fences or netting that come between you and the animal. Also, depending on the exhibit, glass can become very problematic. Be aware of glare at all times. There is nothing worse than going home convinced you have a great shot of a king cobra only to find other people’s reflection (or even your own) in the shot.
5. Pick a spot and stick to it. The less you move around the more others can enjoy the exhibit and the less they are likely to get in your way. 6. If you wanna shoot video bring a tripod (or monopod.) I do not recommend resting the camera on the arm rests of the exhibit. Especially because people are always leaning against them and even the slightest of movements will cause terrible camera shake.
7. Finally, wear comfortable shoes. I know this sounds like a no brainier but making sure you have comfortable shoes on is important. It is not so much the walking but the standing that takes a toll on the feet. I have worn flip flops to the zoo many times before and believe me when I say this, your feet will hurt like hell.
The zoo can be a fun and relaxing place to practice your animal photography. Whether it is zebras, orangutans, elephants, or lions, the zoo provides you with an opportunity to capture animals from all around the world. The more you know about your subject the more intimate the pictures you will create. Your local zoo is the perfect place to learn more about your wild friend.
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