Zoo Photography
While very few people get the chance to go on Safari or stalk Kodiak bears in Alaska, most anyone can go to a zoo. The zoo is a wonderful location to take images of exotic animals without high costs and in relative safety. Zoo also afford photographers a chance to get very close to wild animals for close up photography without a lot of equipment. If you keep a few basic techniques in mind you can make your zoo photos shine.
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What to Bring
When packing your photography gear for a day at the zoo you should keep in mind that you will probably be doing a lot of walking. Carrying a lot of heavy gear will make your day more tiring than rewarding. Some zoos also disallow the use of items such as tripods in order to discourage photographers from monopolizing the best viewing stations for long periods of time.- Suggested Equipment
- Camera with zoom capability (if using a SLR/DSLR a 300mm lens is preferable)
- Flash (with tilt head if possible)
- Extra Batteries
- Plenty of Film/Memory Cards
- Camera Bag with Shoulder Straps
Please note that camera phones are NOT well-suited for zoo photography.
- Etiquette
There are rules of behavior to follow when taking photographs at a zoo.Your behavior does not affect only you. How you behave reflects directly on every other person with a camera. If you make life miserable for the other visitors, staff, and animals you affect the ability of other photographer’s to enjoy the zoo later on. If you are polite, friendly, and considerate you help to ensure that photography at zoos will remain permitted and perhaps be expanded.
\\ tags: Photography, Zoo Photography