Making the Most of Zoo Photograhpy

With fall [almost] setting in, my mind has been full of planning fun things to do.  There are pumpkin patches and apple orchards, walks in the park and photography sessions in the leaves, baking pies and festivals and Starbucks apple ciders.  Fall is also my absolute favorite time to visit the zoo!  Sure, it's enjoyable to go in the summer, but after a while all of your pictures start looking, well, the same.  Because the animals look like this... ;)

So! In case you decide you want to take advantage of the cooler season to visit your local zoo, here are some of the photography tricks I've found to make the most of your opportunity to see amazing animals, in spite of the photogenically unfortunate safety measures in our way.

One) Bring a Zoom Lens!

This provides so many options, especially when shooting outside.  I always carry around a prime (probably 35 mm) and some form of zoom (usually a  200 or 300 telephoto.) Not only does it mean you can take pictures of the animals even if they are not close to you, but, as a bonus, can be used as a rough replacement for binoculars for your group.  I am rarely the only one looking through the camera, even if I'm the only one actually taking pictures.

Two) Manual Focus

If you are not used to using the manual focus switch on your camera, I highly recommend using it when going to the zoo.  The autofocus built in most cameras has a tendency to focus on wires, bars, cages, even glass, instead of whatever it is inside that you are trying to take a picture of.  When you are using manual, you have the option of choosing where you want the focus to be.  It might take a bit of practice, and so will sometimes be a bit more fuzzy than you like (as in my bird below), but it will still be better than a picture of a wire cage.

Three) Pay Attention - to all of the animals.

Sure, you may be there to see the lions and tigers or bears (or with kids who either only want to see a single animal or can't stay on one for even two minutes) but try to  pay attention to the other animals there.  You never know what you will see if you're looking outside of the "main attraction."  Like this beautiful black swan situated out of the way.

Four) Don't forget the People.

More than likely you're not going to the zoo by yourself.  Keep in mind that photos of people watching the animals can be just as intriguing as pictures of the animals themselves.

Five) Watch for Reflections

Glass can be a nightmare for photographers.  But if there was no glass, certain dangerous zoo animals would be on the loose, so it really is a necessity.  Still, watch out for reflections.  Try positioning yourself at an angle, waiting for most of the crowd to pass and move on their way, or investing in a polarizing filter.

I'd love to hear if anyone has any thoughts! Favorite animal? More photography insight?! :)

Tennessee Visit + Safari Park

This is the third year Mrs. B and I packed up and went to Tennessee to visit Sarah (and this year, her new husband Tim!) Crazy wild fun, laughing until your stomach hurts, insane stories at midnight, deep theological conversations, tears for friends in pain, competitive board games, an ongoing round of My Cows, one crazed goose and a few too many emus.

This place was fantastic.  Other than the attack birds, it was totally awesome to see and feed the animals.  Gotta love baby goes who try to eat your clothes, right?  The buffalo that slobbered all over the car was a highlight as well.  Seriously, I had never been to a drive through safari before, but this was so much fun and now I want to do it again.

 

Little House in the Big Woods {Thanksgiving 2014}

  Our annual family Thanksgiving comes at just the right time. The perfect break from school, work, or basic life responsibilities, we all enjoy the time away.  There's just something special about a break from the everyday, busy sort of life and taking an extra long weekend to spend time together.  Our time is filled in delightful ways. Board games and puzzles.  Various mountain hikes. A small stack of books. Target practice.  We make oh-so-much food and then buy still more.  From homemade pies to chicken nuggets, there's never a shortage of things to eat or hot things to drink. Thanksgiving in the big woods is not complete without a tower of pop cans, a fire in the living room stove, an intense game of Farkle or Blokus, Black Friday thrift store shopping, and of course a couple rolls tossed across the table.

 

 This year brought with it a new edition to the fun!  Just the week before we arrived at my grandparents house, this adorable white bunny was found wandering in the brush.  Clearly domesticated, and clearly in need of a home, Granny took him in until we could find him a home.  Of course, once I saw this little guy I knew I'd need to find him the perfect home, not just any old place.  I told my mom bunny needed a home, and - my animal addiction having been her constant companion these twenty years - she sighed and told my dad it looked like we had a new rabbit.  Look how sweet and cute he is!  we brought him home in a box in the middle seat between me and Aly, then mom and I ran out to the pet store to get him a cage and food and hay and other bunny necessities. He now lives in my room, leading a very happy and probably spoiled life, and Aunt Cheryl says he won the bunny lottery.