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Photo Copyright © 2006 G. Kiser
Photo Trek 03-15-2006, North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC
Right on the heels of my last Photo Trek, I loaded up my camera for a day trip to the NC Zoo with my wife. I have been several times before, but never quite like this. You see, I used to walk around and look at the exhibits, getting told what to snap pictures of. Very little thought went into these photos. This time, I went and lugged around my full camera bag along with my junior tripod...Hey, you never know what might present itself.
Now, those of you that have been to zoos know that many of the exhibits are behind glass. This poses several problems for the photographer. The glare, from the glass usually shows up better than the subject you are photographing. A lot of times, the glass is scratched up and dirty, causing lots of problems with even the most sensitive auto focus systems, causing it to lock onto the glass and not the subject. Related to this is the problem of photographing through the dirt and scratches. Here are my solutions.
1. Use a polarizer lens when shooting through glass. It will not remove all of the glare and reflections from the glass, but will reduce it to where it is barely noticeable if you are careful about your shooting position.
2. Use manual focus when the auto focus can't lock onto your target. While this adds a few seconds to the shot, you are more likely to get it in focus this way.
3. To photograph through the dirt and scratches (and chain link fences) use the widest aperture available. In my case, f/2.8 was the widest I could go at my most used 200mm focal length. What this does, is reduces your depth of field to just what you are focusing on. This leaves everything else out of focus. If you are shooting close enough to the glass, or fence, it will be so blurred that you will hardly notice anything in the final picture.
Armed with these tricks, I was able to shoot in quite a few different conditions. and make the final product look like I was right there with the subject. While Trekking around, I shot several macros (extreme close ups) of exotic plants. This was where the tripod came in handy. When getting that kind of detail, you need an absolutely steady platform. There were several birds that posed for me throughout the Trek, and of course the exhibit animals.
Having a long lens (200mm) was very nice considering the distance I was shooting at. Although, I will admit, for this type of work, a DSLR with at least a 400mm lens would be ideal. Even though a bit limited in this respect, my Sony F828 and I were able to get some pretty cool shots. The one featured here is one of my favorites...not just from this trip, but overall.
Alone With My Thoughts is a shot that was done outside with no glass or obstructions. This particular Baboon had separated itself from the rest of the group and had sat down staring at a chunk of bark. He remained there for at least ten minutes looking like he was contemplating the woes of the world. The angle in which he was sitting, and the sullen look just exudes the mood that I wanted to capture with this little guy. I also really like the colors in this shot. I hate to say it, but the red butt really sets the whole photo off.
This has been a great Trek with lots of photos worth hanging onto. I have posted nine in the gallery for viewing.
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Now that is a cute photo. I feel sitting at this 'puter all the time I might look like that !
I too love my camera but not so good as you are. I'm a granny that has found a new fangled contraption to play with. Take a look at my pics . I don't travel just walk in the neighborhood and our farm.
Keep going with your hobby you are great with that camera !
Edna
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Enjoyed the comments, a good tip on the filter and I agree on the colors.
Tess
4/4/06 11:57 AM
Blessings!~
Susan
http://journals.aol.com/rjet3
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P.S. I just realized I have not updated my picture postcard journal in a long while. I have been so busy. I have many more photos of beautiful Colorado to add. Some I have not even gotten developed yet.