10 Top Tips For Great Zoo Photos
10 Top Tips For Great Zoo Photos
Want to take pictures at the zoo like a professional? These 10 Top Tips For Great Zoo Photos Will Help!
By Christopher Skelley
Want to take pictures at the zoo like a professional? These 10 Top Tips For Great Zoo Photos Will Help!
By Christopher Skelley
1. Take Your Time
One of the easiest ways to get better zoo photos is an extremely simple thing: slow down, relax, and spend some time at each display. One of the most common problems I see with friends and family not getting great pics is that they walk up to a certain display, realize the animal is asleep or at the back of the enclosure, and dejectedly walk away.
Of course you want to see as much as possible and don’t want to waste time, but take the opportunity to catch your breath and give the animal a chance to make a great photo for you!
You can wait, or you can make a mental note to stop back at least 20 minutes to half an hour later and hopefully see a more active behavior.
It’s simple but true: the longer you spend at each exhibit, the better your chances to see something interesting.
CAPTION: When I arrived, all the Lemurs were agitated and excitedly leaping from spot to spot, making it impossible to get a clear photo. I waited about 15 minutes until they relaxed, when this little guy jumped onto a tree branch and started eying me and my camera equipment. It was the perfect opportunity to snap a great pic!
One of the easiest ways to get better zoo photos is an extremely simple thing: slow down, relax, and spend some time at each display. One of the most common problems I see with friends and family not getting great pics is that they walk up to a certain display, realize the animal is asleep or at the back of the enclosure, and dejectedly walk away.
Of course you want to see as much as possible and don’t want to waste time, but take the opportunity to catch your breath and give the animal a chance to make a great photo for you!
You can wait, or you can make a mental note to stop back at least 20 minutes to half an hour later and hopefully see a more active behavior.
It’s simple but true: the longer you spend at each exhibit, the better your chances to see something interesting.
CAPTION: When I arrived, all the Lemurs were agitated and excitedly leaping from spot to spot, making it impossible to get a clear photo. I waited about 15 minutes until they relaxed, when this little guy jumped onto a tree branch and started eying me and my camera equipment. It was the perfect opportunity to snap a great pic!
2. Visit During Different Seasons
This is a Top Tip I’ve been telling people for years. Everyone wants to go to the zoo in the summer when it’s bright and sunny. But that’s also when it’s crowded and hot. And in the same way that we get hot and tired and grumpy, so do the animals. They tend to lay around in the shade, using as little energy as possible, hoping to stay cool.
Try visiting in the spring or fall, or better yet, in the winter! As the weather changes, so does the behavior of the animals. There are many animals that are much more active in the cooler months. And because zoos tend to be less busy then, you can spend a longer time at the enclosures you most enjoy, and witness more interesting behavior.
And if you live in a part of the country where you experience snowfall, not only are the bears, big cats and large, hooved mammals more active, but the additional light reflected up from the snow can greatly help to Illuminate your subjects.
CAPTION: This young Snow Leopard, whom I’ve visited a number of times, is normally asleep during the warmer summer months. But here in the winter, she is wide awake and hungrily eying a Himalayan Mountain Goat in the next exhibit! I used the bright, snow-covered ground to intentionally overexpose the shot, giving it a soft, airy look and exaggerating her eyes as a focal point.
This is a Top Tip I’ve been telling people for years. Everyone wants to go to the zoo in the summer when it’s bright and sunny. But that’s also when it’s crowded and hot. And in the same way that we get hot and tired and grumpy, so do the animals. They tend to lay around in the shade, using as little energy as possible, hoping to stay cool.
Try visiting in the spring or fall, or better yet, in the winter! As the weather changes, so does the behavior of the animals. There are many animals that are much more active in the cooler months. And because zoos tend to be less busy then, you can spend a longer time at the enclosures you most enjoy, and witness more interesting behavior.
And if you live in a part of the country where you experience snowfall, not only are the bears, big cats and large, hooved mammals more active, but the additional light reflected up from the snow can greatly help to Illuminate your subjects.
CAPTION: This young Snow Leopard, whom I’ve visited a number of times, is normally asleep during the warmer summer months. But here in the winter, she is wide awake and hungrily eying a Himalayan Mountain Goat in the next exhibit! I used the bright, snow-covered ground to intentionally overexpose the shot, giving it a soft, airy look and exaggerating her eyes as a focal point.
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3. What You Omit Is As Important As The Subject
When taking any photo, careful framing of your subject is critical. But at the zoo, there are fences, metal bars, wires, access doors and a number of other things that can seriously detract from your photos. The only way around this is to wait for the subject to move, or for you to go to a new spot and shoot from a different angle. But it is important, and being aware of this can make a huge difference to your photos. Other problems, particularly in newer exhibits, are reflections, glare, and an often greenish hue from shooting through glass or other clear materials. Adjusting the White Balance in your camera’s Settings can help with this unappealing color tint. And try holding your camera directly against the glass (gently, so as not to damage your camera or disturb the animals) or use a Polarizing Filter to reduce glare. The down-side of Polarizers is that they are made from etched, tinted glass, and they diminish what little light is available in many zoo exhibits. But asking a friend or relative to stand slightly behind you to help block the glare is a quick and easy solution to this issue. CAPTION: The Sumatran Tiger seen here had a large area to roam, but it seemed that any photo would have metal bars or a chain link fence in the background. I noticed that as he walked the perimeter of his enclosure, he would break the routine to walk through the middle of the snow-covered, grassy area every 5th or 6th time. I composed my shot while he was still walking along the fence and waited… and a few minutes later, when he stepped into the right spot, I took the shot. No bars or chain link here! |
4. Zoom In / Use A Big Lens
The obvious advantage of zooming in, or using a big lens, is that you can get closer to your subject and fill up the frame. A little speck of fur, lost in a field of grass, does not make for an interesting photo.
Get in close, and consider cropping out legs, tails, and other body parts… you want to see the face whenever possible. But in addition to filling up your frame, a longer focal length also allows the photographer to use depth-of-field to their advantage.
Depth-of-field is the area several feet out in front of your camera that is in sharp focus. As a general rule, the more you zoom in, the less area will be in focus. Careful use of this allows you to have a crisp, sharp subject with a softly blurred out background behind it. It makes the subject stand out, and makes distracting objects in the background much less noticeable.
And if you have the ability to manually adjust your aperture, (also called f/stop), set it to a number between 2.8 and 5.6, and adjust your exposure time accordingly; these smaller f/stop numbers translate into larger aperture openings, which give you a sharp subject with a blurred background!
The obvious advantage of zooming in, or using a big lens, is that you can get closer to your subject and fill up the frame. A little speck of fur, lost in a field of grass, does not make for an interesting photo.
Get in close, and consider cropping out legs, tails, and other body parts… you want to see the face whenever possible. But in addition to filling up your frame, a longer focal length also allows the photographer to use depth-of-field to their advantage.
Depth-of-field is the area several feet out in front of your camera that is in sharp focus. As a general rule, the more you zoom in, the less area will be in focus. Careful use of this allows you to have a crisp, sharp subject with a softly blurred out background behind it. It makes the subject stand out, and makes distracting objects in the background much less noticeable.
And if you have the ability to manually adjust your aperture, (also called f/stop), set it to a number between 2.8 and 5.6, and adjust your exposure time accordingly; these smaller f/stop numbers translate into larger aperture openings, which give you a sharp subject with a blurred background!
CAPTION: The background in this exhibit was similar in texture to the feathered head of the Bald Eagle I wanted to photograph. By zooming in, I not only blurred the background so it didn’t compete with the eagle’s feathers, but I was also able to exaggerate the difference in color between background and subject. The sharpness of the beak is highlighted in this way as well, demonstrating what formidable hunters these birds really are!
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5. Natural Behavior
No one wants to see a beautiful creature pacing back and forth in its enclosure. It doesn’t look natural, and it makes for boring pictures. Watch for the animal to exhibit behavior it would use in the wild, like one of the big cats starting to crouch as if it’s about to pounce, or intently staring at something like a little chipmunk running at the edge of their exhibit. An elephant taking a dust bath or spraying water over its back makes for better photos than an animal just lying there, half asleep. Keep an eye out for things like a flamingo wading into the water with its beautiful plumage reflecting below it, or a couple of the primates grooming each other. CAPTION: In the example here, a wolf has just heard the siren of an ambulance somewhere off in the distance, and has stood up to start howling! This presented an opportunity for a better shot as compared to earlier, when he was laying down, sleeping on top of the rock. |
6. The Eyes Have It!
Focusing on the eyes of an animal can make your photos feel alive and convey an emotional punch! Catching the glossy, wet look of the eyes, contrasted with the fur or hide, will add interest and feeling.
And try to catch light in the eyes. Little specks of reflected light, or well-lit pupils that really show off color and depth, invite the viewer to look closer and make the animal feel alive.
Look for the source(s) of light at each enclosure, and watch for the animal to turn its head towards the light.
Eye contact (where the animal is staring right at you) is even better. It might be a cute expression from one of the primates, or a cold stare from one of the worlds’ top predators… Either way, it will draw the viewer into your photo.
Focusing on the eyes of an animal can make your photos feel alive and convey an emotional punch! Catching the glossy, wet look of the eyes, contrasted with the fur or hide, will add interest and feeling.
And try to catch light in the eyes. Little specks of reflected light, or well-lit pupils that really show off color and depth, invite the viewer to look closer and make the animal feel alive.
Look for the source(s) of light at each enclosure, and watch for the animal to turn its head towards the light.
Eye contact (where the animal is staring right at you) is even better. It might be a cute expression from one of the primates, or a cold stare from one of the worlds’ top predators… Either way, it will draw the viewer into your photo.
CAPTION: This shot was taken on a cool day in the fall when the zoo had very few visitors. The Bengal Tiger seen here has just woken up and is taking a look around. I watched for the moment when the light hit his eyes, and… Click! We have a photo with a subject that looks alive and draws the viewer in.
7. Contrasting Background
Whenever possible, photograph your subject when it is in front of something that contrasts with its color or tone.
If the creature you are about to photograph is light-colored, try to photograph it in front of a shaded area, or walk to a different spot so you can isolate it against something dark in the background.
If the animal is dark, then try to get your shot with a well-lit, sunny area behind it.
Likewise, try to find a way to contrast colors, so that you have something other than a medium grey animal against a medium grey background. Contrast between subject and background will make the animal stand out and help to frame your subject in an interesting way.
Whenever possible, photograph your subject when it is in front of something that contrasts with its color or tone.
If the creature you are about to photograph is light-colored, try to photograph it in front of a shaded area, or walk to a different spot so you can isolate it against something dark in the background.
If the animal is dark, then try to get your shot with a well-lit, sunny area behind it.
Likewise, try to find a way to contrast colors, so that you have something other than a medium grey animal against a medium grey background. Contrast between subject and background will make the animal stand out and help to frame your subject in an interesting way.
CAPTION: The background of this enclosure was primarily composed of tan and brown tones, with lots of bare tree trunks and a weathered, wooden fence. But when the coyote walked over to one side of the exhibit, I was able to contrast her light fur against the dark, shaded area under a few of the leafy trees behind her.
8. Alert & Attentive
Watch for things that interest the animal you intend to capture with the camera. It may be a zoo employee walking by, a jet flying overhead, or even something as simple as a butterfly fluttering past.
Animals are very aware of their surroundings, and little things often catch their attention. These things give your pictures a subject that is more engaging and intriguing!
You can also ask when the animals will be fed; most zoos adhere to regular times for feedings, and these are some of the best times for photos. Many zoos list Feeding Times in their literature, but ask the employees if you don’t know the schedule. They are usually more than happy to inform you of the times.
They can also tell you interesting facts about the animals, and when to watch for certain behaviors. Regardless of what captures the attention of the animal, the fact that it is alert and focused on something makes for a better photo!
Watch for things that interest the animal you intend to capture with the camera. It may be a zoo employee walking by, a jet flying overhead, or even something as simple as a butterfly fluttering past.
Animals are very aware of their surroundings, and little things often catch their attention. These things give your pictures a subject that is more engaging and intriguing!
You can also ask when the animals will be fed; most zoos adhere to regular times for feedings, and these are some of the best times for photos. Many zoos list Feeding Times in their literature, but ask the employees if you don’t know the schedule. They are usually more than happy to inform you of the times.
They can also tell you interesting facts about the animals, and when to watch for certain behaviors. Regardless of what captures the attention of the animal, the fact that it is alert and focused on something makes for a better photo!
CAPTION: After taking a few photos that I was not very happy with, I planned to stop back later and try again. But as I started to walk away, I noticed a zoo employee coming towards me; I quickly stepped back to the viewing area, and sure enough… as the zoo worker moved into the field of view for the lioness, she perked up and stared intently in his direction. She is awake and alert here, making for a great photo with lots of interest!
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CAPTION: I added interest to this shot of a Flamingo by filling the entire frame with the intense pinks of the feathers, contrasted with the blacks of the background. And by doing this, I limited the number of colors in the shot, making the yellow of the eye stand out!
9. Color, Pattern, Texture
Like any other photo, things such as color, pattern and texture are interesting to the viewer. Many birds, reptiles and amphibians display amazingly bright colors, and while some mammals are striped or spotted, others have camouflaged shading or contrasting colors to break up their shape and help them hide in the wild.
Several animals grouped together can result in unusual patterns, with arms and legs and heads sticking out in different directions, and animals such as elephants and reptiles often have unusually textured skin or scales.
Experiment! Zoom in on the wrinkly skin of an elephant, look for contrasting patterns in the black and white stripes of a herd of zebra, or focus on the numerous colors in the feathers of a parrot or macaw.
Like any other photo, things such as color, pattern and texture are interesting to the viewer. Many birds, reptiles and amphibians display amazingly bright colors, and while some mammals are striped or spotted, others have camouflaged shading or contrasting colors to break up their shape and help them hide in the wild.
Several animals grouped together can result in unusual patterns, with arms and legs and heads sticking out in different directions, and animals such as elephants and reptiles often have unusually textured skin or scales.
Experiment! Zoom in on the wrinkly skin of an elephant, look for contrasting patterns in the black and white stripes of a herd of zebra, or focus on the numerous colors in the feathers of a parrot or macaw.
10. More Than Zoo Animals
Getting to see exotic animals may be the main reason for visiting a zoo, but don’t forget that there are often other interesting things as well.
Flowers and other landscaping features can make for beautiful photos, but they also attract birds, bees and butterflies… some of the most varied and colorful creatures in the world. Their small size and fast movement can pose a challenge, but that’s half the fun! Try to catch a bee busily collecting nectar from a brightly colored flower, or a bird nesting in a tree along a walkway.
Interesting signs, unique architecture, and things such as carousels and child-sized trains make for great photos.
And don’t forget the gift shop, where they offer miniature versions of the real animals on display. A photo of several little snow leopards or rows of plush penguins makes a cute and fun photograph!
Getting to see exotic animals may be the main reason for visiting a zoo, but don’t forget that there are often other interesting things as well.
Flowers and other landscaping features can make for beautiful photos, but they also attract birds, bees and butterflies… some of the most varied and colorful creatures in the world. Their small size and fast movement can pose a challenge, but that’s half the fun! Try to catch a bee busily collecting nectar from a brightly colored flower, or a bird nesting in a tree along a walkway.
Interesting signs, unique architecture, and things such as carousels and child-sized trains make for great photos.
And don’t forget the gift shop, where they offer miniature versions of the real animals on display. A photo of several little snow leopards or rows of plush penguins makes a cute and fun photograph!
CAPTION: A common Honey Bee on a local wildflower may not seem like much compared to a big, powerful predator from the plains of Africa or some exotic bird from the tropical Rain Forest, but it makes for a colorful and interesting photo none-the-less!
Article and photography by
Christopher Skelley Copyright 2017 Sunny Harbor Publishing Sunny Harbor Publishing, PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956 Phone: 321-446-7552 Email: [email protected] Website: www.SunnyHarborPublishing.org |
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