Zoo Photography

Mandoo

Mandoo

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I wondered if anyone had any tips on photographing animals at the zoo. I took my nieces to Paradise Wildlife Park a few weeks ago and we had a problem getting pictures of the animals that weren't being ruined by wires and fences in the way.

One of my nieces favourite shots of the day was the white tiger, but again its still got the fence visible in the foreground. I've cropped the picture to improve the composition slightly as instructed by my neice, but its still not right. Its not a bad shot considering my niece is only 8, but because of the fence she's still not happy with it.

So what can we do to try an minimize this problem next time we go to a zoo or animal park?


Sleepy Tiger by _Mandoo, on Flickr


Sleepy Tiger Crop by _Mandoo, on Flickr
 
ideally you need to get as close as you can to the cage - lens right up against it (don't damage your front element) - the closer you are to the cage the less it is visible.

as for the cage at the far side that's more difficult - you need the animal to be significantly closer to you than the cage, and have a shallow enough DoF to throw the far side so out of focus you can't tell what it is
 
Unfortunately there isn't much you can do. Some zoos have open enclosures that are great for photography, but when it comes to animals like tigers (which frankly shouldn't even be in zoos but that's another discussion entirely), it's obviously simply not safe to have them open, so you're always going to be shooting through glass or bars. The best tip I can offer for glass is simply to find a clean patch, and press your lens right up against it. With a wire fence, you're pretty much stuck with it in your frame. Get as close as possible but the chances are you're going to have to crop some wire out.
 
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it. :)
At least I know I'm doing the right thing, sort of. I'll try and pass the information on to the kids, but once they've got a camera in their hands they ignore me and go a bit trigger happy!
Colchester Zoo during the Easter holidays is the next day out so we'll see how we get on there.
 
As already noted it's difficult in Zoo's as there are going to be safety structures in various places.

An 8 year old being interested in photo's is a great start and i'm sure it won't be long before she starts to look at backgrounds before choosing to fire.

Colchester is a very good zoo. There are plenty of enclosures that have been well thought out so getting good backgrounds should be possible. There is a new area being opened during the Easter Holidays too, so time your visit right!

Linky to my flickr photos at Colchester Zoo
 
onona said:
... but when it comes to animals like tigers (which frankly shouldn't even be in zoos but that's another discussion entirely)
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Obviously not keen on species conservation then!
 
DemiLion said:
Obviously not keen on species conservation then!
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Not sure how you arrived at that conclusion, as it's not a matter of zoos being the only preventative solution to extinction. My vote is for large conversation reserves. The problem with zoos is that the large animals are confined to unacceptably small enclosures.

I'm not anti zoo, in fact I hold an annual membership to London Zoo. I just think it's wrong to keep large animals in them, because their enclosures are far smaller than what their natural habitats would be.
 
onona said:
Not sure how you arrived at that conclusion, as it's not a matter of zoos being the only preventative solution to extinction. My vote is for large conversation reserves. The problem with zoos is that the large animals are confined to unacceptably small enclosures.
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In an ideal world you're right, but being realistic about it thats shown not to work in many of the places the reserves would be situated, for one reason or another
 
Some sound advice has been given already Mandy so I think it is just a case of putting it in to practice next time around :thumbs: In the meantime here is a rough edit for you. :thinking: Not sure if I am imagining it but looking at it now I am actualy getting a totaly different feel to it without the wire, its almost as if you are automatically percieving it as wild even though you know it is captive :shrug:

6983007405_e65d77372b.jpg
 
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Thanks again for the replies everyone.

I see what you mean Rich. Its almost like you're waiting for it to open its eye and decide you're perfect for dinner!
Good job, thanks.
 
All good advice as already said try to get the lens as close as possible to the glass or fence

Also if you have the time wait until the Tiger is up and about so you can chose a better background:)
I have the lens apature set wide open as possible to blur the background as much as possible on my lens this is F5.6:)

As for Tigers being kept in captivity a very difficult one
Indian tigers (Bengals) are very well protected in the wild by the Indian government so dont need the be kept in zoos
But Sumatran Tigers are critically endangered in the wild and zoos like Chester are doing great work in breeding them in captivity to help save them:clap:
Sorry to go off topic:D
Pete
 
LCPete said:
Indian tigers (Bengals) are very well protected in the wild by the Indian government so dont need the be kept in zoos

Pete
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I know its off topic, but the total worldwide population of Bengals is estimated to be sub 2,500 and falling. Atleast one of the reserves which you allege is very well protected has no tigers due to poaching and many of the others have problems actually protecting the tigers. As part of their fantastically strong protection the Indian government stated that "the tigers had temporarily migrated outside the reserve and would be back after the rains". It took a lot of work before they acknowledged there may be an issue. Thats only one reserve but the standard of management of those tiger reserves is pretty much summed up there

I think its highly debatable if they are indeed very well protected

All of which rather neatly sidesteps the other issue, in that they ain't only an indian species by any means
 
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boyfalldown said:
I know its off topic, but the total worldwide population of Bengals is estimated to be sub 2,500 and falling. Atleast one of the reserves which you allege is very well protected has no tigers due to poaching and many of the others have problems actually protecting the tigers. As part of their fantastically strong protection the Indian government stated that "the tigers had temporarily migrated outside the reserve and would be back after the rains". It took a lot of work before they acknowledged there may be an issue. Thats only one reserve but the standard of management of those tiger reserves is pretty much summed up there

I think its highly debatable if they are indeed very well protected

All of which rather neatly sidesteps the other issue, in that they ain't only an indian species by any means
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Ah Ok it does sound like that the overall situation in India is not as rosy as I believed
I have been to India tho to Kanha and Ranthambore and the Tiger's at least in Kanha are doing well at least recently although there has been some poaching
I am hopeful that nature tourism will help the tigers as its in the local peoples interests to protect them:)
 
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