Are Zoo Photos able to Look Like Wildlife Photographs?

Animal photos are crowd-pleasers and elicit emotions. However, not everyone has the means to travel to exotic places like a rainforest, a savannah, or a jungle. You can go to the zoo. Although it is not an environment that animals would naturally prefer, there are many techniques you can use to take style photographs. These tips will help you get there.

1. Make sure to plan. 

Look for zoos that allow animals to be displayed in their natural habitats and have a wide variety of “wildlife.” After you have chosen the best zoo for you, get to know the animals and do some research about their surroundings. It is important to have a good understanding of the animals you will photograph. This will help you create your best photos.

2. Backgrounds can distract you. 

Choose angles that only capture the animals and not the entire zoo. Because the fencing and gates that keep animals in their enclosures can limit your photography angles, it is best to get down low. Clear backgrounds with solid colours are best. To ensure the animal is at centre stage, you can use depth-of-field if you don’t have a suitable background.

3. Telephoto lens. 

Most zoos have you standing at a distance from animals. A longer focal length will allow you to get closer to your subject and capture their personality.

4. Avoid reflections. 

Zoos often require you to use glass to take photos. This means that you will have to contend with light reflections. Avoid flashes to get rid of reflections. The reflection can be eliminated by pressing the lens against the glass. This will reduce the light coming from the sides. If reflections remain visible, you can shield your lens’ side with your hand. Another option is a polarizing filter.

5. To make your photos reach their full potential, patience is essential. 

You can improve images almost every time you stay with the subject for longer. Waiting is the best way to capture those unique and fascinating moments of primal behaviour. This will result in better images.

6. Motion blur is a great option. 

After you have figured out how to get around glass and fences at zoos, add motion blur to enhance energy and engagement in your photos by blurring animals’ movements.

7. Be sure to frame your shots well. 

People and fences can distract from what you are trying to do – take the best shots of animals. Find the best angles and include only the animals in your framing.

8. Start your journey early. 

The light is generally better in the morning as the saturation of your canvas increases. You will also find that people are less likely to distract the animals or interfere with your shots if you are there earlier.

9. It’s not just about the animals. 

Portraits can also be taken at zoos. A young boy looks through a glass panel at his favourite animal.

Zoos are a great place to capture wildlife close to home. You can take beautiful photos of the animals and not worry about them going anywhere.