GEARING UP FOR GREAT ZOO PHOTOGRAPHY

While most modern zoos do a remarkable job of replicating the natural wilderness habit for their animals, you will often be faced with distracting backgrounds that include fencing, electrical wires and “unnatural” enclosure details. To reduce distractions, use the longest focal length lens you have and shoot at wide apertures to minimize depth of field. I usually pack my M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO telephoto lens on zoo excursions and use it wide open at f4. The background dissolves into a beautiful out-of-focus bokeh that adds drama and impact to your animal portraits. A fast zoom such as the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO is another excellent choice.

Though wide-angle lenses are useful for broad views, I rarely use one at the zoo. The larger animals are generally too far away for the wide angle. On the other hand, a macro lens can be handy for closeups of tiny animals, reptiles, fish, etc. When composing your shot, try to get close, fill your frame and place natural elements in the background. Look for angles that avoid metal objects––these tend to reflect light and add distracting highlights to your backgrounds. Your images will be more successful if you simplify your backgrounds.

Embrace zoo photography as an adventure hike and plan accordingly. A backpack will distribute weight better than an off-balance shoulder bag. If you can fit your gear, a waist pack, which concentrates weight on the hip muscles, is an even better option and is more comfortable in hot weather. You’re much better off limiting your gear to a body and a couple of long lenses if you expect to walk more than a mile or so. If I need extra reach, I’ll throw in a 1.4x teleconverter. There are no right or wrong gear choices. Only you can determine the kind of images you’re after. Just be careful not to overload yourself.

Animals, by their nature, try to conserve energy. This means they spend vast amounts of time doing as little as possible. Good for them, but not so much for a photographer. Be prepared to wait it out. If you see a great composition, watch the animals for nuances of movement and expression that adds interest to your images. The more you study your subject, the more you’ll understand their nature. Just like their human counterparts, animals have expressions that can make or break a photo. Pay close attention and wait for your subject to look you in the eye.

The best light will be in the early morning or late evening – when, fortunately, the animals are often most active. Check your zoo’s website for hours. If you’re lucky, you can plan to be on locations at the morning feeding times. Some zoos have evening programs that provide great opportunities for beautiful golden light. Take advantage of the online zoo maps to plan your trek. Pick out several areas of interest for each visit and concentrate your efforts.

Remember, at the zoo, you’re a visitor in the animal kingdom. Don’t yell at the inhabitants or bang on glass barriers or fences. Remember point thre­e–be patient and the photos will happen.

You’ll save on entrance fees and support your local zoo. And the fun you’ll have taking animal shots while you save up for a real safari is more than worth the cost.