Tips for Zoo Photography

by Sean Setters

When I travel, I usually try to visit a zoo if there is one nearby. Zoos offer tremendous opportunities to photograph wildlife that would otherwise be economically infeasible (because of travel) or dangerous to photograph otherwise.

After visiting several zoos over the past few years, I've learned a few things that may help you on your next zoo trip.

Plan to start your day early.

Animals are generally more active in the morning before the sweltering sun sets in for good. Plan to arrive at the zoo when it opens. This will not only give you the best opportunity to see animals active and out in the open, but you will also be able to avoid the large crowds that develop as the day wears on (thereby making the best vantage points easier to reach). Doing online research of the zoo before you set off can help you determine which exhibits you want to visit first to increase your chances of capturing the best shots.

Getting to Oatland Wildlife Center as soon as it opened allowed me to photograph the alligators while no one else was around. This gave me the freedom to choose any shooting position I wished for optimal framing.

Pack these: your longest (non-super) telephoto, a general purpose zoom & a standard wide aperture prime lens.

Generally speaking, a telephoto lens in the 300-400mm range will be ideal for many outdoor wildlife exhibits. The long reach and narrow angle of view of these lenses will help allow you fill the frame with your animal subjects while also minimizing the evidence of captivity in your photos. Lenses such as the Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM, EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM work very well in this regard.

A long telephoto lens can even aid in minimizing the impact that fences/nets have on your images as long as the barricade is close to the end of your lens and your focus point is well beyond it. This causes the fence/net to become blurred sufficiently enough so that it may not be readily distinguishable in your image (though you will likely notice a loss of contrast).

You may find that your long telephoto lens never leaves your camera while visiting a zoo. However, don't discount the value of having a general purpose lens on hand just in case. My recent trip to Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah, GA proved less than fruitful in regards to animal photography than I had hoped because the early morning heat left most animals hiding in their shaded enclosures. However, one section of the trail proved especially beautiful as the boardwalk ventured out over a large marsh. I quickly affixed the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM to my 5D III and captured the following handheld HDR image.

Another lens you may find particularly useful is a standard wide aperture prime lens in the 50-85mm focal range. These lenses can prove extremely beneficial if the zoo you are visiting features indoor aquariums or exhibits. The wider aperture provided by these lenses can be essential for minimizing motion blur (from animals or the photographer) while maintaining acceptably low ISO levels.

And while on the subject of photographing animals through glass, wearing a dark colored shirt can help you avoid capturing distracting reflections in the glass. Unfortunately, wearing a dark colored shirt may not be ideal if it's a hot summer day, so you may want to simply throw the shirt in your camera bag in case you need it.

Bring sunscreen and water.

While many zoos have done a good job in providing ample shade for visitors, you may find yourself getting a little more sun than you thought you might after a long day of photographing captive wildlife. Be sure to wear sunscreen to the park and keep a small tube of it in your camera bag (inside a zip-top plastic bag) for reapplying when necessary.

Not only can the sun take a toll on your skin, but the heat combined with the exercised involved in toting camera equipment around the park can easily lead to dehydration if you aren't careful. Most zoos have water fountains located throughout the park, but you may want to keep a water bottle on hand for when you need it most. A small snack (like a granola bar) can easily be stowed in your camera bag and can help provide a little energy during a short break.

And that's it. If you have any more tips, please feel free to share them in the comments section!