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Zoo Photography Ethan
SO, I decided I am going to goto the Columbus Zoo today and try at my Canon XTi...

Any advice on getting good photos? I've been reading up on it, and will have my 70-200mm lens with me.

What is /p/'s experience with zoos?
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>> NatureGuy !se3A3TwzdY
For indoor exhibits that utilize outdoor light and indoor light, go on a sunny day at high noon. For outdoor work, a mix of clouds and sun are good, as well as going at open so you have morning light and near close for evening light. 11-4 is kinda useless lightwise. You can shoot through fences easily, at least 300 you can. Position yourself as close as you can to the fence and shoot animals further back in the enclosure to put the fence far enough out of the DOF that doesn't effect the image seriously. For glass always get lens right up to it and when not completely flush with the glass use your hand to shade the light from hitting your side of the glass.

Also a monopod can be a life saver and makes shooting way easier, though at 200 you shouldn't have too much trouble.

I do this kind of thing all the time. Any questions?
>> not OP
>>221012

>11-4

really? that big of a window?

i usually just avoid like 12-2
>> Ethan
Do most zoos typically frown upon tripods? I figure since I am going on a thursday it shouldn't be too busy, but I can't find anything on the Zoo website about it (other than you can't "reproduce for profit" any photos you take.)

I really never considered the zoo a place for good pics, but I got free tickets and thought i might as well do it.
>> NatureGuy !se3A3TwzdY
>>221013
I tend to hit up the zoo at 8:30 AM (open) when shooting outside. Cool temperatures, morning feed, nice active animals, few people, good but not harsh, it's the best time to shoot. Hell I hit the the indoor exhibits too, because shooting with some idiot pointing at the monkey and laughing is truly maddening, along with half a dozen people strobing it the poor thing too.
>> NatureGuy !se3A3TwzdY
>>221014
I'd steer away from a tripod. They take up too much room and most zoos will frown upon it. However I sincerely doubt they'll you to put it away.
>> Ethan
     File :-(, x)
How's about flash? I have a Speedlight 430x (pictured) with a "softlight" attachment thingy...

When would and wouldn't you use a flash?

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>> Ethan
I notice a lot of other zoos have specials for photographers... Darn ohio...

http://www.denverzoo.org/photography/default.asp

Otherwise they are relatively vague, which is the biggest reason I was really apprehensive about doing this, but I think they are just lazy about putting up details.
>> NatureGuy !se3A3TwzdY
>>221020
Open enclosures only, and only if you couldn't do the shot a different way. Strobing the glass and fence make it harder to DOF them out, sometimes impossible. Also does that animal really need to be strobed again? I've only ever used my flash once at the zoo, and felt bad about it. If you feel comfortable with it, and circumstance calls, go ahead.

Also don't go to every exhibit. Pick a couple of nearby exhibits and spend the day moving amongst them rather than doing the whole zoo. I tend to get more good shots that way.
>> Ethan
Sounds good. I'll hopefully be back tonight with some good pics. Gotta get a few hours of sleep now.
>> Ethan
Also, Free internets to you.
>> Ethan
Wow, this topic is still here.

Anyways, I am back from the Zoo, Got a few good shots, but definitely learned some lessons.
First is I can auto focus through glass and in some cases, I should use it.
Second, screaming little kids and the idiot parents who bred them can die... I will be going back when school starts. Maybe this will be less of an issue.
Third, fish pics are hard to get, motion + low light = disaster...
Fourth, I now know the reason for getting there early/leaving late... It was kinda unavoidable today though, so next time I will plan a bit more ahead.
Fifth, no tripod sucks, it was just too busy to take one in without being in everyones way.
Sixth, really hot afternoons = lazy animals. I got some good shots around after feeding time so it wasn't too bad.


I'll make up a more complete list later. I think the only thing that saved me today were the DippinDots, damn that's good.
>> Ethan
O, on the flash thing....

I followed some damn women around the reptile house who was using a flash (built in) on every "glass fronted" enclosure... (It was a DSLR, some sony...) Seriously... WTF???
>> Anonymous
saging your thread until you post photos
>> Ethan
     File :-(, x)


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>> Ethan
     File :-(, x)


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>> Ethan
     File :-(, x)


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>> Ethan
     File :-(, x)


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>> /p/ i need your help! Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>> /p/ i need your help! Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>> Ethan
     File :-(, x)


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>> OP
>>221391

I like this shot,

the focus seems to be on the mud just in front of the frog, could be my eyes though..
>> Anonymous
>>221401
If I'm not mistaken the frog's mirror image in the water is actually in focus while the frog itself is not. Kind of distracting, but otherwise a good shot.
>> Ethan
It's one of those things where it looks great on the screen, and I probably should have used a higher f-stop, but the light was barely there and I'm an idiot, so it was a good lesson for next time to be more careful with my focus.
>> Ethan
     File :-(, x)
I really don't like snakes, but they were easy to take pics of. Shooting through glass isn't too difficult, and makes me feel better about what is contained behind it.

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>> Anonymous
They are all so grainy. The light must have been terrible.
>> Anonymous
Yeah, 1600 iso is just too much grain. I live in Columbus and I know there had to be enough good light today to use at least 200 iso. Still nice shots, that's my only complaint, though.
>> Anonymous
>>221392

Really like this shot.
>> Anonymous
>>221390

My personal fave, maybe draw a bit of the color out from the background though, and boost the grays in the wolf? Just to make it stand out that little bit more
>> smp !.CjCbrOIXE
>>221388
Pretty nice, but I feel it should be cropped slightly tighter.
>>221392
Without a doubt, the best shot out of these. Very nice.

As for the rest, they're pretty good but too noisy.