Tips for shooting at the zoo?

[W.Y.Photo]

All the above is great advice but they seem to have missed one VERY important rule.

If you are going to shoot at the zoo, you should use a silencer to reduce the sound of the shot. And as an added bonus, it is suggested to use a laser sight to make sure you only shoot the intended animal and not any innocent bystanders (people).

but I like shooting people.

 

[ronlane]

@W.Y.Photo to each their own.

 

[JoeW]

Okay, in all seriousness...
1. I'd shoot with a narrow DoF. Why? This will blur the background (which may have bars and people in it) and give it a more realistic "I shot this tiger out in India on my last trip" look to it rather than "yeah, a big cat in a cage, that's what I've got here...".
2. Monopod is a GREAT idea b/c shooting indoors, the lighting will suck. So you'll want to put the lens up against the glass and then do a long exposure.
3. Yes, bring lots of cleaning stuff. I put my lens right up against the glass. So you clean the class and you may end up cleaning your lens.
4. Don't forget to shoot the people--there will be some interesting kid shots at any zoo.

 

[dennybeall]

Also if you can find out when they feed the animals you're most interested in you may get more animal activity. Middle of the hot day and the animals will just be laying around in the shade....

 

[Gary A.]

1) Long Lens;

2) Use the light to your advantage. If the pen is poorly lighted move on and find a subject with better lighting;

3) Sometimes it isn't necessary to fight all the fencing;

3) Patience

I got nothing for patience so I tossed this one up.

Good Luck and Good Shooting.

 

[kovhanperl]

For shooting through fences, a long lens held right up to the fence

 

[pgriz]

Gary, those are really nice.

 

[Braineack]

For shooting through fences, a long lens held right up to the fence

fence bokeh.


Sleeping Clouded Leopard by The Braineack, on Flickr

 

[Mr. Innuendo]

This was shot through a fence at a local wildlife sanctuary, with a Canon 6D and a 70-200mm f/2.8L:

If you didn't know what to look for, you'd never know there was a fence there.

 

[Gary A.]

Gary, those are really nice.

Thanks.