How to Photograph Animals in the Zoo
The zoo is the perfect place for photographers of all experiences to get some all important practice in when it comes to taking photographs of animals.
Although the chances of you seeing animals is greatly increased while in a zoo, there are challenges that you will come up against when trying to photograph these magnificent animals. If you have ever tried to take a picture through a glass enclosure or a wire cage, you will know exactly what we are talking about!
However, there are ways around these challenges, and it is possible to take great photos of the animals that you will see!
General Tips
As with any animal focused photography, animals can be unpredictable, and it can be easy to kick yourself for missing a great moment because you weren’t concentrating.
Patience is key when photographing any animal. Get a sense of how your subject is moving and prepare yourself in a comfortable position which gives you a great view- don’t just snap away, you will definitely miss a moment by doing this.
Keep your flash off, as many zoos will have a no flash policy in force. Try to take advantage of the natural light you have access to; natural can still make for a fantastic picture.
Try to focus on the animals eyes for a fantastic, intense outcome. There’s nothing better than looking eye-to-eye with an animal, as they have incredibly deep eyes.
Try to make sure that the background isn’t cluttered so that the main focus is kept firmly on your subject. If the background is busy, wait until the animal moves to a less crowded area.
Fence Off- Glass and Wire
One of the biggest issues that many photographers come up against in zoos is the wire fencing.
A fantastic photo opportunity can be completely ruined by a foreground of wire fencing, but there are ways to get around this.
We don’t recommend sticking your camera lens through the fence as this is dangerous and could lead to your camera and equipment getting damaged. Instead, try and place the lens as close to a gap in the fence as possible without any of your equipment touching or going through the fence.
You can also use a wide aperture lens to help blur the fencing in the foreground out of the photo, but make sure that these aren’t in direct sunlight as it will be more difficult to blur them out of the picture.
With glass, you can place your camera as close to the glass as you want, and it is advised. This will not only get rid of the pesky reflections that plague through-glass photographs, but it will also give you a clearer view of the enclosure.
We love looking at wildlife photography, and if you aren’t lucky enough to be able to see these magnificent animals in the wild, then the zoo is a great way to catch a glimpse while supporting conservation efforts which are in place.
If you looking for a reliable place to sell second hand cameras that you have lying around your home, don’t hesitate to contact us today by calling the Camera Exchange Store team on 0208 371 4179 where a member of our friendly team will be happy to help.
