ZooFriends....my first visit on my annual pass

[aim54x]

I just thought I would get some feedback on some of the images that I took today at the Taronga. All were taken using my 70-200VR (on my D300) and are unprocessed.

Bird with a feather


Too Cool - this may be a bit bright...will have to check on a few more monitors before I make that call


Baby play time - I know have cut off the hoofs a bit...


Snow Leopard - probably cropped too tight...resizing looks to have detracted from the sharpness as well


Any comments are greatly appreciated...esp if anyone has tips for shooting (did I say that...i meant photographing not hunting) these animals.

[surenj]

Nicely done Cameron.

I quite like the bird for it's composition and humor..

I am not sure about the sharpness as you have stated that there is no post processing. In the same vein, the colors are stronger on the rock and foliage on camera left to the leopard. Nothing that can't be fixed in post.

Yes, the meerkat is overexposed looking. You don't need another monitor, just look at the histogram in your camera or Lightroom/capture NX... That will give you a fair idea of the exposure in general

[aim54x]

Funny enough, the meerkat now looks fine on this monitor....too many uncalibrated monitors, i'll have to check the histogram although i would be expecting a shift towards overexposure due to the subject matter (bright subject on bright background).

[surenj]

On the same monitor in which the meetkat is fine, how do the other photos in this series look?

[Glen]

Cameron big fan of your Meerkat, it is a classic shot and the tones seem to work. PS The Zoo Friends is a great deal!

[LaurieE]

the meerkat is my favorite - a fun pose with a lot of character.

[surenj]

Cameron do they allow flash to be used??

Just looked at the annual pass prices ($110) and what a bargain! Once you go three times, the cost is covered.

[aim54x]

I didnt use a flash, i dont think there is too much of a restriction in those terms as plenty of people were using flash around me. PS. the other images look fine...it could just be viewing the image on my aging uncalibrated Acer whilst sitting in a dim room (great for games).

[biggerry]

Gotta love that Meerkat, a different take on a very photographed animal. I really like the expression and pose, almost like he/she is resting before all the kids turn up and throw things at them

The two little babies is great, as you already identified, the hooves is an issue, however I would consider going in for a much tighter crop to isolate them from the BG, their surrounds do no favours in this image so might as well crop it out imo.

At least you got to see the snow leopard!

[pwoo]

I like #2 and #3. #2 look fine on my monitor and love the colour, the first 3 thoughts that come to mind when I saw it were Lion King, Africa and the channel Ten documentary.

#3 is just so lovely, my kids would have love it.

Regards,
Patrick.

[aim54x]

Just had a look at the histogram and had a play with the NEF in Capture NX2...looks like it is really about 0.5-0.7 stops over but since the general consensus is that it is alright then I guess it is not that bad.

[surenj]

Very interesting Cameron, it must be my monitor then! I think the combination of lighter tones and mild over exposure makes it look even more bright.

The more I look at the meerkat, the more I like it!!

[gstark]

The meerkat image image is almost dying for a caption. Something like "what a day I've had", or "I'm bushed".

With respect to Gerry, I don't think that there's enough of the second baby in that shot for it to work as a crop. Ultra cute though.

These are all good images Cameron, and I know that we're all looking forward to seing the results of your repeated use of your newly acquired pass.