Yes, it's another weekend zoo walk

[robbins.photo]

I know everyone does this, but I honestly always feel like shooting at the zoo is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Lol.. strangely enough a lot of people seem to feel that way until they try it. Turns out it's actually a little harder than a lot of folks think, there are a lot of challenges involved. In many cases your shooting through pexiglass which can be a real pain, the stuff reflects light on multiple levels and that makes a CPL almost useless. You are often dealing with a mixture of both florescent and ambient light which just throws your white balance into a cocked hat. On outdoor shots your generally dealing with fencing, plus you've got all sorts of background issues you generally need to contend with, trying to get the right angle so you get the critter in an interesting way but that he isn't standing in front of something that just ruins the whole shot. Then you have the crowds to deal with, so when a critter does start doing something really cool or interesting you've got people jumping in front of you.

Granted the fact that you've got all those cool signs pointing to this critter or that critter is a huge advantage, you can go to point A for lions or B for Gorillas and you know they'll be there, which is great. Takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. But really to get good zoo shots does take a lot more patience and time than I think most people give it credit for because your positioning is so critical, and then you have to wait till you get the right shot.

Just my 2 cents worth of course, YMMV.

 

[BillM]

Nice set as always :thumbup:

Shooting in a zoo offers access to animals one may never see and there are many unique challenges associated with it too.

 

[robbins.photo]

Beautiful shots! Very nicely done. I think that first one is a buzzard or something though, not a sparrow

I do so wish the zoo here had an eagle or two. The only spot around here that I regularly see them they are way too far off for decent shots. They are such gorgeous birds I'd love to get a few up-close-and-personal shots of one.

The local safari park has 4 of them, all rescues. One of them is actually missing a significant portion of his wing, he likes to hang out in a little spot underneath the trees near the fence. He's kind of a goofy bird, not something I'd really expect from an Eagle. Two of them are a little more standoffish, they generally stay well back from the fence - and one of them is pretty much the Shaun Penn of the eagle world, he stays well out of camera range and you'll rarely if ever see him where he's not hiding in the trees.

 

[LarryLomona]

Nice set!

 

[manaheim]

I know everyone does this, but I honestly always feel like shooting at the zoo is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Lol.. strangely enough a lot of people seem to feel that way until they try it. Turns out it's actually a little harder than a lot of folks think, there are a lot of challenges involved. In many cases your shooting through pexiglass which can be a real pain, the stuff reflects light on multiple levels and that makes a CPL almost useless. You are often dealing with a mixture of both florescent and ambient light which just throws your white balance into a cocked hat. On outdoor shots your generally dealing with fencing, plus you've got all sorts of background issues you generally need to contend with, trying to get the right angle so you get the critter in an interesting way but that he isn't standing in front of something that just ruins the whole shot. Then you have the crowds to deal with, so when a critter does start doing something really cool or interesting you've got people jumping in front of you.

Granted the fact that you've got all those cool signs pointing to this critter or that critter is a huge advantage, you can go to point A for lions or B for Gorillas and you know they'll be there, which is great. Takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. But really to get good zoo shots does take a lot more patience and time than I think most people give it credit for because your positioning is so critical, and then you have to wait till you get the right shot.

Just my 2 cents worth of course, YMMV.

Yeah. I've done it. There are certainly challenges, but having someone put the animal in a cage minimizes one of the more significant ones.

 

[matchboxer]

wow it is not my world - I'd rather portraiture human beings, but your shots are really nice!

 

[robbins.photo]

I know everyone does this, but I honestly always feel like shooting at the zoo is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Lol.. strangely enough a lot of people seem to feel that way until they try it. Turns out it's actually a little harder than a lot of folks think, there are a lot of challenges involved. In many cases your shooting through pexiglass which can be a real pain, the stuff reflects light on multiple levels and that makes a CPL almost useless. You are often dealing with a mixture of both florescent and ambient light which just throws your white balance into a cocked hat. On outdoor shots your generally dealing with fencing, plus you've got all sorts of background issues you generally need to contend with, trying to get the right angle so you get the critter in an interesting way but that he isn't standing in front of something that just ruins the whole shot. Then you have the crowds to deal with, so when a critter does start doing something really cool or interesting you've got people jumping in front of you.

Granted the fact that you've got all those cool signs pointing to this critter or that critter is a huge advantage, you can go to point A for lions or B for Gorillas and you know they'll be there, which is great. Takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. But really to get good zoo shots does take a lot more patience and time than I think most people give it credit for because your positioning is so critical, and then you have to wait till you get the right shot.

Just my 2 cents worth of course, YMMV.

Yeah. I've done it. There are certainly challenges, but having someone put the animal in a cage minimizes one of the more significant ones.

Well then I guess most people portraits must also be in the same category. In fact if anything I guess they'd be a lot easier, I mean you've got the advantages of in most cases being able to control the lighting and even direct them on how you want them to pose. Heck in a lot of cases you don't even have to drive to where they are located, they'll come to you. Funny though, you never see anyone suggest that they require less skill as a result.

 

[robbins.photo]

wow it is not my world - I'd rather portraiture human beings, but your shots are really nice!

Thanks Matchboxer - I just try to improve a bit with each outing. I've done some portraits but I must admit they are not my forte.. lol.

 

[nzmacro]

Good on you Robbin, a great variety and that Eagle looks so powerful, excellent profile that one. Those Gorillas look massive !!. The muscles and strength they have show in that shot. Excellent on all shots.

All the best Robbin, extremely nice shots.

Danny.

 

[astroNikon]

Lol.. strangely enough a lot of people seem to feel that way until they try it. Turns out it's actually a little harder than a lot of folks think, there are a lot of challenges involved. In many cases your shooting through pexiglass which can be a real pain, the stuff reflects light on multiple levels and that makes a CPL almost useless. You are often dealing with a mixture of both florescent and ambient light which just throws your white balance into a cocked hat. On outdoor shots your generally dealing with fencing, plus you've got all sorts of background issues you generally need to contend with, trying to get the right angle so you get the critter in an interesting way but that he isn't standing in front of something that just ruins the whole shot. Then you have the crowds to deal with, so when a critter does start doing something really cool or interesting you've got people jumping in front of you.

Granted the fact that you've got all those cool signs pointing to this critter or that critter is a huge advantage, you can go to point A for lions or B for Gorillas and you know they'll be there, which is great. Takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. But really to get good zoo shots does take a lot more patience and time than I think most people give it credit for because your positioning is so critical, and then you have to wait till you get the right shot.

Just my 2 cents worth of course, YMMV.

Yeah. I've done it. There are certainly challenges, but having someone put the animal in a cage minimizes one of the more significant ones.

Well then I guess most people portraits must also be in the same category. In fact if anything I guess they'd be a lot easier, I mean you've got the advantages of in most cases being able to control the lighting and even direct them on how you want them to pose. Heck in a lot of cases you don't even have to drive to where they are located, they'll come to you. Funny though, you never see anyone suggest that they require less skill as a result.

It"s easier in a zoo because you don"t have to worry if they are sizing you up for their next meal

 

[manaheim]

Lol.. strangely enough a lot of people seem to feel that way until they try it. Turns out it's actually a little harder than a lot of folks think, there are a lot of challenges involved. In many cases your shooting through pexiglass which can be a real pain, the stuff reflects light on multiple levels and that makes a CPL almost useless. You are often dealing with a mixture of both florescent and ambient light which just throws your white balance into a cocked hat. On outdoor shots your generally dealing with fencing, plus you've got all sorts of background issues you generally need to contend with, trying to get the right angle so you get the critter in an interesting way but that he isn't standing in front of something that just ruins the whole shot. Then you have the crowds to deal with, so when a critter does start doing something really cool or interesting you've got people jumping in front of you.

Granted the fact that you've got all those cool signs pointing to this critter or that critter is a huge advantage, you can go to point A for lions or B for Gorillas and you know they'll be there, which is great. Takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. But really to get good zoo shots does take a lot more patience and time than I think most people give it credit for because your positioning is so critical, and then you have to wait till you get the right shot.

Just my 2 cents worth of course, YMMV.

Yeah. I've done it. There are certainly challenges, but having someone put the animal in a cage minimizes one of the more significant ones.

Well then I guess most people portraits must also be in the same category. In fact if anything I guess they'd be a lot easier, I mean you've got the advantages of in most cases being able to control the lighting and even direct them on how you want them to pose. Heck in a lot of cases you don't even have to drive to where they are located, they'll come to you. Funny though, you never see anyone suggest that they require less skill as a result.

I didn't suggest you had less skill.

In fact, anyone who has been to Africa will tell you that shooting pictures there is very like shooting fish in a barrel. There's just so much wildlife and its so picturesque.

I won't push the point any further because I mean no insult and you're taking it as one, and explaining it further requires more effort than is worth it... given that you'll probably just take offense anyway.

Sorry.

 

[sonicbuffalo]

Nice shots.....your membership is well worth the cash.....you have some nice images....and your explanation of the challenges you face while shooting in a zoo were well thought out. I love the Eagle shot the best.....just wish it was attached to a dollar or money....big denomination preferably!