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Hi I'm new to this site and new to DSLRs. I am heading to the Melbourne Zoo soon with my brand new Canon 400D. Just wondering if any one has any tips or advice in general about taking photos at the zoo.
Thanks Meg.

Meg, use the widest aperture you can i.e. smallest number, shoot with the longest lens you have and this will help blur the fences and throw the backgrounds out of focus, to make it look more natural. If shooting against glass, use a lens hood to stop reflections. A bit of fill flash helps bring out the eyes and colours..
Here are a couple of examples..
This one was shot through glass,

This one through the fence

Meg - if is at all possible select a day when it is overcast (even light) with ISO400.

fozzie

Those two pics you've got up are stunning! I'd love to know more about the hood to stop reflection. If I can pull off something like that, I'll be a very happy girl.

Thanks heaps for all of the advice. I'm not going for another couple of weeks but I can't wait. Big V, I agree, those shots look great. Thanks again everybody I hope I can take something decent when I get there.
Meg

Sunnylass,I am using the Sigma 80-400 lens and it comes with a pretty big lens hood, so I just but that up to the glass to stop reflections. Another trick is to buy some of that black sofcore foam from a craft shop - it comes in a4 sheets for around a dollar fifty and make a tube to wrap around the end of your lens, it will do the same thing. Just make sure it is not too long as you will get vignetting. Glad you liked the examples.

You'll have a lovely time at the zoo.