First Zoo Visit - Please Help!

[eric_r]

Hey guys spent the afternoon at Alma Park Zoo at Dakabin today. I got some nice shots i think. Also my first ever efforts at post production, just some light contrast and saturation tweaking, and cropping.

Iv been having alot of trouble with Flickr, it seems to keep timing out midway through uploading photos so I have given up for the time being, these were the only two images i got up succesfully. I will edit this post once i get the other images up (edit: one more up so far!)

The light when i went was really bad i think (1pm until 3pm), i should have stayed another hour. Very sharp, harsh shadows and over-exposed highlights. Or is it not too bad? :S Still learning


(Red Panda - Sony a300 200mm focal length, 1/250sec, f/5.6, ISO400)

I like the pseudo-candidness of this shot with the tongue out, but im concerned that the light falling on him is over-exposed? Also does the complicated backround draw the eye away from my subject at all?


(Deer - Sony a300 200mm focal length, 1/250sec, f/5.6, ISO400)

In this image im not sure about several things, firstly the over-exposed sun falling on the backround deer. Also is the composition akward? My main focus is the deer on the left, but is the foreground deer too prominent? And lastly do the droppings on the ground detract from the image at all, or add to it as it seems more natural?


(Koala - Sony a300 200mm focal length, 1/125sec, f/5.6, ISO400)

The main reason i loved this image was because of the completely akward pose he is laying in, but you cant really see it because iv cropped it so tight. Is this a problem, or is the image good like this? Also the backround is too bright and plain for my liking, is this a problem also?


I looove all of these images (and the other few i want to upload) and would be perfectly happy to blow them up and hang them on my wall, but as an absolute novice i honestly dont know if they are any good from a technical stand point. Would a professional (or you guys! ) look at these and go "Meh, they'r pretty average."?

Just trying to learn Thank you all in advance for your c&c!!

P.S. i dont know how to make these links to bigger images, so if any mods feel that needs doing, feel free!

[fozzie]

Eric - a promising start.

As mentioned in the other thread, best to go to the Zoo when it is overcast (even light) first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon to eliminate strong light in the background as displayed above. It will improve the quality of the shot/s immensely.

Best advice I can provide is, practice, and do not be afraid to experiment. Also watch other photographers. They may strike up a conversation with you, and pass on some other useful hints.

[aim54x]

Some nice results....it would have been tough conditions but you have come away with a few images that you are happy with (you being happy is very important! as you are often your own worst critic). There are a few problems with highlight, but this is mainly due to the conditions.

I like the Red Panda the most....maybe remove a bit more on the left hand side to tighten up the image.

The deer unfortunately suffer from a bit of a distraction (the slightly out of focus deer in the foreground). Maybe close down your aperture a bit more (f/8 or 11 even - going up to 800 ISO and 1/125 - SteadyShot will help you out here).

Sterling job on Mr sleepy there.

Keep it up and I hope you had heaps of fun! As Fozzie said, dont be afraid to engage in conversation with other photographers

[eric_r]

Thanks guys, i am dissapointed that i didnt hang around longer and wait for maybe some better light/shadows. Definetly watching the weather every night for overcast days now, and ill be rushing back to the zoo! I also didnt realise the lens i took had a manual focus until i got home, the auto was struggling with alot of the cages and glass etc, quite embarrassing!

Aim i see what you mean about the deer shot and the empty space in front of the panda, the deer one would be nice with the foreground doe in focus. Thanks heaps for the constructive criticsm. Oh well, for my second ever outing im pleased that the only major problem was the sun, something i can easily change (that sounds silly i know).

Cant wait to get out there again!

[losfp]

You know what - you did pretty well considering the conditions

What I might try to do is maybe attempt a bit of fill flash for some of the photos if you have the time and space to set it up. Otherwise there's not much you can do about it if the background is in full sun and your subject is in the shade!!

The deer shot is a little cluttered - perhaps you can crop it a little differently to bring more attention to the middle deer.

The red panda is a winner!

[aim54x]

Thanks guys, i am dissapointed that i didnt hang around longer and wait for maybe some better light/shadows. Definetly watching the weather every night for overcast days now, and ill be rushing back to the zoo! I also didnt realise the lens i took had a manual focus until i got home, the auto was struggling with alot of the cages and glass etc, quite embarrassing!

Aim i see what you mean about the deer shot and the empty space in front of the panda, the deer one would be nice with the foreground doe in focus. Thanks heaps for the constructive criticsm. Oh well, for my second ever outing im pleased that the only major problem was the sun, something i can easily change (that sounds silly i know).

Cant wait to get out there again!

Great to hear that you have been enjoying your time out and about with your new camera. Constructive criticism is only constructive if you view it as being helpful, so i am very glad to be of aid in this circumstance, I am often a culprit of not being very constructive...or at least appearing that way.

Pretty soon you will be giving me advice!

[DebT]

You're off to a great start Eric,
while I am still very much zoo apprentice and spend as much time stalking and watching the photographers as I do the animals I would like to pass on a couple of things I have learnt from 'the masters'
- buy a zoo membership - that way you can drop in often and for short visits when the light is at it's best (you'd be amazed at what 30 minuites just before closing can achieve), plus the members magazines let you know of things coming up, any courses etc
- pick one or two animals and focus (excuse the pun) on them until you have them sorted ..then move on to something else
- aim (and once again excuse the pun) to take a few great shots rather than lots of ho hum ones (but have the rapid shoot ready for yawns, growls etc)
- spend a lot of time watching your chosen animals - the better you know their movements and patterns the more you can predict when to shoot what, and from where - when are they fed, when do they get released, when do they get put away for the night
- study the enclosure - look for the shadows, where the sun hits the glass & wire and get to know the best place to stand at which time of the day
- use shallow DOF
- focus on the eyes (the rest will look after itself) - and use a little flash to get the catch windows
- if you don't have a small child to hang over the fence to get their attention..and you can't borrow one....keep a sidways look out for approaching people & noise, prams, overhead planes etc that may get the animals attention... but the best is an approaching keeper (get to know them too)

For two years I have been following the masters and waiting for the 'perfect tiger shot' - got some nice ones but still practicing and haven;t go IT ...so my best tip is find an animal you love and be very very patient

Post often and listen to the advice ..
Deb T

[aim54x]

Great advice there Deb...I think i will have to try to take up some of that!

[eric_r]

Wow thanks Deb, some amazing tips! I would never have thought of most of those

The annual membership is an especially good idea for me as a plan to go regularly to this particular zoo, its only a 20min drive. And of course the membership pays for itself in only a few visits.

Im going to pick a particular animal or two and focus on them as you said to, i think that is a great idea, several times i missed great dingo yawns etc as i was too busy moving between animals. I think Mr Darcy also mentioned this, especially in regard to their habits and walking patterns etc. I will definetly take more notice next time!

Im not sure about using a tripod either, is it rude to block a bit of the viewing area and leave a tripod setup there all day? Or is it worth it to try get better shots? Most of my blurring problems were simply from animals moving, or bad timing on my part, not slow shutter speeds etc.

If only this zoo had something as awesome as a tiger! Steve Irwins zoo has tigers and elephants and stuff, i think once i get a bit more confident ill upgrade and get an annual pass there instead! My girlfriend and I are going there in a week though, so i cant wait to try out your tips!!

Also i have just acquired photshop and i cant believe the difference it has made to my images! Iv re-done all the images i kept from the day and 'fixed' some of the over-exposure and i am alooot happier with the photos now.

What do you guys actually do with your images? Im considering buying like a portfolio and getting my favourites developed in a decent size (A4-ish), just to show off and to look over. Do non-professionals ever do this, or do you just put them on flickr etc?

[DebT]

Hi Eric,
re what do I do with images - great forum topic..
for me the answer is ..not a lot !
I think I just enjoy trying to get 'the shot'
I'm still not totally happy with my work (but possibly a bit hard on myself) , with the exception of a few prints everything is PC based (and backed up), and probablty will get buried over time .
My zoo challenge is to have 1 shot I really like of every animal - I have a black A4 art book and when I am happy with a shot and decide to move to the next animal I print it 8X10 (when there out on special for $1.98) and put it in ...so I guess this is technically a portfolio ...I just think of it as the prints I show other people ... but of course when something better comes along I replace the previous shot.
I have a similar 'scrapbook' for flowers, insects, my son, etc ..
I have decided that this year the family are getting calendars for Christmas so my goal for each month has been to produce 1 shot

The only reason I publish on flickr is so I have a web presence for the forum .
DebT

[Big V]

You are off to a fine start and the fact you have made a decision to explore this avenue of photography is excellent. The membership is a must otherwise the exercise becomes too expensive. I would suggest a monopod as a tripod is going to upset everybody but using a monopod will not annoy anyone,that is our experience over the last few years. You can always set up your tripod as a monopod by extending only one of the legs but it is a lot heavier and bulkier than a mono. As Fozzie has pointed out watching the light is the key as it can eliminate the bars or make them so obvious it is impossible to get a good shot. Look for the cloud!!! it will save you every time.

Learn the animal behaviour as this in the long run will save you so much time, Fozzie and I can tell you almost to the minute when and where the creatures will be and what they are doing in their cages. It is also important to note which are the feeding days as the big cats for example do not get fed every day. Above all else enjoy the relaxing environment that the zoo brings, be polite to all and engage in the conversations that will start and you will end up making some good friends both with the public and the staff..