Side-striped Palm Pitviper, Saint Louis Zoo
Going to the zoo to photograph a particular animal for a poster or screen-saver? Want to capture a behavior you saw during your last trip? Just hoping to get lucky and see something interesting? Knowing your desired outcome will have a direct bearing on how well you prepare for your next zoo outing so it's best to take a step back and examine your goals and motivations when taking your camera to the zoo.
Start With A Plan
A shot checklist should be your first priority when developing your plan. Jot down a list of 5-10 shots you would like to achieve on a small piece of paper or note card you can keep in your pocket and reference it during your trip. There are several types of shots to choose from and planning them out will help with lens selection and time management. NOTE: We explore the full range of shots at your disposal in detail in our technique section.
It's also important to consider the appropriate time of day before heading out. Early mornings and late afternoons are well known to photographers for providing the best natural outdoor lighting. But these times may clash with the natural behavior patterns of your subjects as well as the daily routine established by their handlers. Plan your visiting hours based on your desired lighting conditions and balance this with the animal behaviors you may be able to capture during that time period.
Gerenuk, Saint Louis Zoo
You'll also need to consider the time of year and be realistic about how the seasons may affect your images. The changing seasons bring great variety to the color palettes of our photos but may not be the best times to capture your favorite animal. In general, most animals are least active during the Winter. Spring is mating season and brings out many behaviors that can only be seen during this time of year. Summer brings heat and extended rest periods during the day. Fall sees a flurry of activity as animals prepare their bodies and dens for the coming Winter. You'll need to do your research to maximize your chances for success.
Do Your Research
Let's say you have a vision of a beautiful Bengal tiger resting peacefully in the snow. The odds are stacked against you. You're going to have to do some planning ahead of time and some digging to determine if that's an achievable photo at your local zoo.
Your Zoo's web site is always a great place to start. Zoos are proud of their showcase animals and often post extended profile information about them including the behaviors they exhibit and their regular habits. It's also a good place to double check your zoo hours just in case you want to arrive early or stay late. Some zoos may even let you sneak around during off hours through speical back stage tours or programs. Be prepared to take advantage of such an opportunity if it presents itself.
If it's currently Spring and you want a photo of a tiger in the snow, you have plenty of time to get to know a zoo keeper who can tell you when you have your best chance of getting your shots. Keepers are your best source for feeding, training, and exercise schedules. Make it a priority to introduce yourself and describe what you’re trying to accomplish. You may find yourself a great ally and possibly an assistant as well.
Pack Your Bags
Now it’s time to choose your gear so take a second look at your shot list. If you're using a fixed lens point & shoot style camera, be sure you’re using one with enough zoom range to get you the shots you want. Remember short focal lengths are best for wide-angle shots of the animal in its environment. Medium and long focal length lenses are better for portraits and close-ups. If you’re planning to shoot indoors, it might make sense to pack a low light lens such as one with large aperture like f/2.8 or even an f/1.8 or f1/4 lens if you can afford it.
Before packing everything, it’s best to check your lenses to make sure they’re clean. A couple of puffs with a strong air blower is usually enough to remove any dust particles that have accumulated on the surface. If there are spots or smears, rubbing gently with a micro-fiber lens cloth in a circular motion will generally get them off. If they persist, you should invest in a good streak free cleaning solution and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean your optics. Don’t be concerned of a few tiny dust particles get attracted to the lens after you’ve cleaned them. It’s normal and you’re bound to accumulate more during the day of your shoot. A majority of the time your camera will focus right past them and they will never affect your image quality. Just be sure to pack your air blower and lens cloth with you and check your lenses every couple of hours during breaks in your shooting.
Fiji Banded Iguana, Saint Louis Zoo
Last but not least, be sure to pack at least one additional memory card for extra storage and recharge or purchase an extra set of batteries. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in a subject when you’re getting great poses. You can quickly fill a memory card and burn through a lot of physical energy. Speaking of energy, it might not be a bad idea to pack a snack bar for yourself, just in case you hit an energy slump at some point during the day.
There are a ton of options for carrying your equipment around with you. The most common these days are a simple over-the-shoulder camera case, a backpack, and my personal favorite, a photographer’s vest. The decision will be based on your budget and the amount of equipment you choose to carry with you. Camera cases generally only hold the camera, cleaning supplies and perhaps one extra lens. At the other extreme, a backpack will let you take your entire kit with you out in the field. They typically hold the camera body and cleaning supplies, several extra lenses, and most even have external straps to hold a monopod or lightweight tripod. Backpacks can get heavy and hot on strenuous day so it’s a tradeoff between comfort and access to your entire array of equipment. A photographer’s vest is a great compromise between the two. You can typically carry one or two extra lenses plus all the accessories you need for a planned shoot. They’re much lighter than a backpack and you’ll stay cooler as well.
Pro tip: Plan to bring a spare camera if you can. It's always good to have a backup in case of dead batteries or other unforeseen events.
Get Out There And Shoot!
With your plan in place and your gear all packed, it’s time to get out there and shoot. Plan on spending one to two hours of shooting at a time. Take breaks in between your shoots to review your photos against your plan. If you missed anything, circle back around and try again. Most animals have feeding, exercise, and training regimens and you may catch something new the second time around. If you still don’t get the shots you wanted, you may just have to plan another trip back to the zoo. Just remember to relax, have patience and most importantly have fun.
Packing Checklist:
- Shot checklist
- Camera and lenses
- Air blower
- Micro-fiber lens cloth
- Extra memory card
- Extra batteries
- Snack bar for energy
- Carrying case
- Monopod or tripod - for the serious zootographer!
