Some of my zoo shots (various critters)

Mattis · Mar 13, 2015

Hey guys,

during the last year I've been going to the local zoos a lot. I spend my time at work all week and trips to the zoo usually yield the most keepers for me, but I also love animals.
So, I hope you enjoy these. I also love critique!

(This one's a pretty heavy crop)

I have more, I just don't want to cram 20 shots into one post.

I'm looking forward to read what you think about them!

JacaRanda · Mar 13, 2015

Very nice set Mattis! The 2nd Tiger and the Secretary bird are my favorites.

Mattis · Mar 13, 2015

Thank you!
Yeah, I fell in love with secretary birds that day. They are amazing!
Here's one in a more derpy pose:

Secretarybird by Mathias Appel, on Flickr

That tiger shot is a personal favorite of mine as well. Doesn't look like it was shot with a roughly 20 years old lens, too^^

baturn · Mar 13, 2015

Very nice! I kinda prefer the 1st tiger (for the regal pose) and the disgruntled chimp.

Mattis · Mar 13, 2015

baturn said:
Very nice! I kinda prefer the 1st tiger (for the regal pose) and the disgruntled chimp.

Thanks! Yes, I was happy about those as well. The pose of the tiger really is pretty awesome. It was just a really bright day, it took quite a bit of dodging and burning to get it right...

Here are some more pandas:

JustJazzie · Mar 13, 2015

WOW! Nice set here! I don't think I could pick a favorite. If I HAD too, I think it would be the tiger in the water. well done!

otherprof · Mar 13, 2015

Mattis said:
baturn said:

Very nice! I kinda prefer the 1st tiger (for the regal pose) and the disgruntled chimp.

Click to expand...

Thanks! Yes, I was happy about those as well. The pose of the tiger really is pretty awesome. It was just a really bright day, it took quite a bit of dodging and burning to get it right...

Here are some more pandas:

Nice set. And it isn't often I get to use Firefox to view a firefox.

woolybear · Mar 13, 2015

The one that immediately jumped out at me was the tiger on the log.
Lazy eyes, lazy pose..., just waiting for something to fall into his enclosure to pounce on!

funwitha7d · Mar 13, 2015

tiger is excellent, really wow

Mattis · Mar 13, 2015

woolybear said:
The one that immediately jumped out at me was the tiger on the log.
Lazy eyes, lazy pose..., just waiting for something to fall into his enclosure to pounce on!

Right, he looks lazy, but since he is a giant tiger he still looks rather powerful.
Also, I want to pounce on him! I bet he's really soft.

funwitha7d said:
tiger is excellent, really wow

Thanks a lot!^^

otherprof said:
Nice set. And it isn't often I get to use Firefox to view a firefox.

I see what you did there

Braineack · Mar 13, 2015

Great stuff! Post more. Dat freaking tiger.

using tapatalk.

FITBMX · Mar 13, 2015

wonderful set, I loved all of them!!!

Mattis · Mar 14, 2015

Thank you all! It's refreshing to actually get some feedback for once^^
Have some more:

I cut off his foot but I still liked the pose.

Hunter58 · Mar 14, 2015

You did very well. Zoo shots require that you crop in tight sometimes and I like many of your compositions in this set.

Mattis · Mar 14, 2015

Hunter58 said:
You did very well. Zoo shots require that you crop in tight sometimes and I like many of your compositions in this set.

Thank you!
Composition is always pretty much the most important aspect for me. I want to get it right when I take the shot, I don't like cropping photos. I bought the camera for the bigger sensor, so cutting off pixels always feels like such a waste to me.