3 Things You Must Consider Before Shooting Photos At Your Local Zoo
A lot of us would like to snap photos of tigers, lion bears as well as other smaller furry creatures without the cost of taking a trip to Alaska or the risks of a safari photo in Africa. To accomplish this, most of us go to the local zoos that allow us to snap any number of photos we’d like from the comfort of the walkway. But there are plenty of obstacles that prevent us from getting amazing shots similar to those the ones you’d see on safari. From bizarre feeding times to the nagging fences that stand, which hinder us from taking that picture that is a winner, However, with the correct planning and the right equipment, all of these are possible to overtake.
Equipment:
The first thing I would suggest is buying a DSLR camera. It does not have to be a top-of-the-line camera, but it should have a minimum of 8 megapixels. It is recommended to buy an angle lens that is wide within the 15-35mm range and a zoom lens (probably about 35-300mm.) If you’re in need of money, I’ve been able to get some fantastic deals on used cameras and lenses on eBay. When it comes to lenses as they are, you need one with an image stabilizer built in so that even if you don’t have the ability to use a tripod, then you’re more likely to capture sharp images.
Also, I suggest an easy tripod. Be aware that you will be moving around for a while, so you’ll need something that will be able to withstand the pressure. Sunpak has a significant carbon fibre tripod ideal for this purpose. However, you can get a low-cost one from any of the significant box stores. Sometimes, if I consider a monopod to be better for my needs, I’ll pull one leg from my tripod, expand it and secure it to use that. This reduces the number of things I carry around.
Make sure you have walking shoes. You’ll definitely need a pair of comfortable shoes since you’re going to be moving around a lot.
Planning:
Zoo photography is just as much about preparation as any other shoot, and in the course of your preparation, you will be looking for information on when the feeding times are. It is possible that you will need to call ahead or speak with any of the staff members. If they feed their animals two hours prior to opening, you might need to consider visiting the park prior to when it opens. I’m not suggesting you commit any illegal act. However, if you’re committed to this, you might consider whether you are eligible to join the foundation of the park’s charitable foundation. It could grant you rights that the general people don’t enjoy (like being admitted to the park prior to everyone else.) If it’s a little costly for you, think about making your keys jingle and (if secure) tapping the fence surrounding their cage. The animal may believe that they will be fed, and it’s likely that they will respond when they believe that a zookeeper is in the enclosure.
Don’t disturb wildlife. How would you feel to be in a cage where a person was causing trouble for you? And, it isn’t going to be appreciated by the park personnel and could even cause you to be ejected.
Making Pictures:
Fences can be challenging to maintain; however, they’re there for us and for the protection of animals. If you want to take a picture of the animal in a fence, make sure to open the aperture to the maximum extent possible. This should eliminate the fence from the picture without affecting the other parts of the picture.
Pay attention to the eyes. The eyes are the most expressive aspect of your subject. From emotions of sadness, anger, and even interest, the eyes can be the most expressive part of your subject. Therefore, pay attention to the eyes even when other parts of your subject are slightly off-focus. Composition is a significant advantage, and it will provide an excellent opportunity to use the three-point rule whenever it is feasible.
Do not forget to snap pictures of the wildlife roaming freely throughout the park. This includes birds in the aviaries, as well as peacocks. I have seen at the zoo that they have also put orchids in their aviary. So while you might be there to see the animals, this could be an excellent opportunity to capture a fantastic macro-photography.
The main point of this post is to keep your eyes peeled and research thoroughly; even if the zoo appears like a great place to snap photographs (and that it really is), there are some steps you must make. Make sure you have the proper equipment and ask questions to the Zoo staff. If you discover that your local zoo isn’t photography comfortable, search for alternative venues in the area. You might find an alligator farm, State park, and Tiger sanctuary. It might be more suited to your requirements.
