Zoo Photography
F2.8 300mm 1/500s ISO 200. Our closest living relatives. This portrait of a chimpanzee highlights the quality of photos you can shoot in a zoo with a bit of luck and patience.
Is there anything as quintessential to childhood than going to the zoo? Countless generations have enjoyed the experience of being able to get a closer look at some of the world’s amazing animals from lands near and far. Over the decades they have undergone a transformation from being little more than animals in pens and cages to an important part in the conservation of wildlife, with more realistic enclosures that allow the exhibition of natural behaviours. For those of us who are unable to spend the money required to see them in the wild, it gives a great opportunity to observe and photograph animal subjects and behaviour just a short distance from home. Zoos have also been having a difficult time with Covid-19, you cannot furlough your animals, so they have been left with the same running costs without the visitors. All the more reason to get down there with your camera.
An example of smarter, modern enclosure design at Whipsnade Zoo. A small electric fence and a moat keeps in the animals in but allows visitors to get a view unobstructed by tall fencing. The wood fence on the other side of the water keeps the visitors from taking an unexpected swim!
Whilst you can get close to the animals you are often still a fair distance away, and because of that it is best to take a long telephoto lens so you have the ability to fill the frame with your subject. Many enclosures are now designed in smarter ways to allow visitors to have an open view of the animals without the risk of escape, but where there are still tall fences in the way, having a long telephoto lens allows you to shoot through or minimise it in your shot. Ideally you want to have the photo look as natural as possible (unless you are looking for a specific effect). Never use flash photography either inside or outside as it may distress the animals (and possibly even the people!).
F2.8 300mm 1/800s ISO 64. Sometimes tall fencing is unavoidable but using a long telephoto lens can at least minimise its presence in the photo.
To give yourself the best possible chance it is best to go at the right time and day. Quiet days during the week make for ideal shooting as you will not be jostling for space amongst the crowds, and chances are it is better to go when it is dry. You do not want to turn up when it is wet and miserable to find the animals curled up inside and out of view, though I am sure you won’t have any issues with the penguins or the sea lions! Speaking of sea lions, pay attention to when events are happening throughout the day, whether it is feeding times or shows as this will provide great opportunities to take pictures of the animals in action. Sadly, this is currently limited with the Covid-19 restrictions, but it is certainly one worth remembering.
F2.8 300mm 1/500s ISO 72. Keep an eye out for action, these penguins weren’t going to sit around and let the seagulls take all of their fish.
Something else you should not forget about are the other visitors. There would not be a zoo without people and capturing their reactions to the animals can also make more compelling images, especially if it involves children seeing an animal like a lion for the first time. This is where using wide or at least wider angled lenses are more useful, so you can fit both subjects in the frame up close. Alternatively, you can use your telephoto lenses on the large open enclosures of herbivores to capture people reacting to the animals at a distance.
F2.8 300mm 1/500s ISO 64. Don’t miss out of taking photos of the visitors observing or interacting with the animals.
Where you can get up close and personal with the inhabitants is in the walk-through exhibits. Some of these may currently be closed (lemurs most likely), but there are still ample opportunities with the aquariums and tropical houses. As you will be indoors a higher ISO will be required, so try to shoot your lens wide open to let in as much light. Medium telephotos work best here in the tight space and the lens I recommend above all else would be a 105mm macro (or its crop bodied equivalents). Aquariums are certainly challenging as they often have harsh artificial back lighting as well as small, darting subjects. To keep things simple try and select one particular subject from a tank to focus on getting a good shot.
F2 105mm 1/400s ISO 3200. Aquariums are tricky to photograph with the dim surroundings and harsh back lighting. I didn’t do myself any favours by leaving my macro lens at home.
The tropical/butterfly house is probably the best place in a zoo to take photos as you can get right up close to a subject for macro work without any barriers. In fact, it is arguably one of the best places for macro photography generally as you will have large colourful subjects that will often happily sit still whilst they munch on the plentiful supply of fruit laid out for them. Just be mindful that the temperature and humidity will be higher in here than outside so your camera and lens may begin to fog up and give you a washed-out, desaturated image. After about five minutes or so your gear should become acclimatised, but in the meantime just wipe off any condensation with a clean cloth. If you plan on staying in here for a while, I recommend camera gear that has at least some level of weather sealing to protect from the high levels of moisture.
F2.8 105mm F2.8 1/640s ISO 400. Feeding butterflies make ideal macro subjects in the tropical house, there is often plenty of colourful options available.
Last but not least, do not forget to keep an eye out for the wildlife that also lives in the zoo. There are plenty of animals that are attracted in by the food and activities and whilst you have that long telephoto on, this is as good a time as any to take photos of them. Birds will be what you are predominantly looking for and I managed to take this shot of a red kite whilst walking between enclosures. It always pays to stay alert.
F2.8 300mm 1/1250 ISO 64. Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife in and around the zoo. I took this shot of a red kite whilst walking between enclosures.
Zoos may not offer the same opportunities or backdrop compared to seeing these magnificent creatures in the wild, but they are still a great day out to practice your photography. Patience may be required to get the shot you want as you cannot control how the animals will behave but with persistence you can shoot something visually interesting. Even if you do not, at least you have gotten all those bad photos out of your system, so you can take the good ones when you do eventually make it on safari! Happy shooting.
Have you taken your camera to the zoo recently? Let me know in the comments below.
Modern zoos provide as much behavourial enrichment as possible as can be seen here in the chimpanzee enclosure. If the animals aren’t fast asleep this can provide great entertainment as well as great photos.
F2.8 300mm 1/800s ISO 80. Zoos still remain controversial for those who believe it is unfair to keep large animals in captivity. However they remain an important part in educating the public and protecting species whose habitat is quickly vanishing. They are well worth your support, especially during these difficult times.
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