First trip to the St. Louis Zoo with my Pentax K-x

[mossyoak1101]

I finally got a chance to try out my k-x at the St. Louis Zoo. I was so excited, my fiance was not quite so excited, but she still loves my nerdy butt. I'm still very new to photography and i have lots to learn. I would love to hear any comments or suggestions anybody has. I hope you like them, thanks!
1.

IMGP4024 by bmcghee1101, on Flickr

2.

IMGP3996 by bmcghee1101, on Flickr

3.

IMGP4056 by bmcghee1101, on Flickr

4.

IMGP4124 by bmcghee1101, on Flickr

5.

IMGP4114 by bmcghee1101, on Flickr

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[bottguardo]

I like number 2. It's the most interesting to me. Number one looks a little out of focus, as does number three. I'm not sure what's going on with number four, and number five is kinda bland, but the colors look nice.

[PASM]

Quite good shots.. The K-x does good too. With picture #4, if that's reflection in the picture (and you don't want that), use a circular polarizer.

[Marc-Etienne]

Here are my noob advices, and hope that I don't offend you by bringing very basic photography knowledge

#1 : I like it, but I wish that the colors were a little more saturated to see more the yellow of the fur and the blue of the eyes. Probably a little underexposed too, would probably bring more interest on the face if the face was well lit.

#2 : Is nice but if you are taking a portrait you usually want to separate the subject from the background by blurring the background. You 50 f1.7 would work great or your 50-200mm at 200m (the longer the focal length the narrower the DoF)

#3 : Lack of interest and is pretty flat. I would have been nice to be a little lower (impossible I'm guessing in a zoo...)

#4 : If you ever have to shot trough glass, make sure to minimize reflection by shooting at an angle and have minimal light coming from behind you.

#5 : Nothing wrong with that one, I personally think it is a nice one.

Hope these are helpful. Nice work!!

[mossyoak1101]

Thanks everybody for the comments. #4 was the best one i could get, i was using a CP filter but the angle i was at could have been better but it was too busy to get to that side. im hoping to go back soon at a time when won't be so busy and i can carry more of my lenses with me. all of these pictures were taken with my 50-200mm lens. I was just wondering does anybody know of a decent mono-pod with a quick release for fairly cheap? I know cheap and quality don't go together. Thanks again!

[PASM]

Get a cheap tripod with q/release. Collapse it down and stand it inside a messenger bag, the strap worn around the neck. Have all the tilt/pan screws loose for easy articulation and the tube-grip projecting away from you.

I was just wondering does anybody know of a decent mono-pod with a quick release for fairly cheap? I know cheap and quality don't go together. Thanks again!

[Frequency]

I liked them as a whole; i really liked the view point of third ; the glass reflection in four marred the quality of the image in #4

[Mike S.]

5 almost looks like a statue.