Any advice for photography at the San Diego Zoo?

cloudedleopard611

cloudedleopard611

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone! I'm visiting the San Diego Zoo soon! Its literally a dream come true and I'm so excited. I've been watching videos and looking at pictures of the enclosures to get a sense of it, but what advice would you have for taking pictures there? This is such an important trip for me and I want to make sure I get really good photos.
 
It depends on what type of species you're most in to. Birds, mammals, reptiles, etc? It's always best to arrive as early as possible though because most animals are out and active during that time which is usually best for photos.

I'm sure you'll have fun. If you have time, I hope you get a chance to visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park as it is a fantastic facility with lots of amazing photo opportunities.
 
IndianRhino said:
It depends on what type of species you're most in to. Birds, mammals, reptiles, etc? It's always best to arrive as early as possible though because most animals are out and active during that time which is usually best for photos.

I'm sure you'll have fun. If you have time, I hope you get a chance to visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park as it is a fantastic facility with lots of amazing photo opportunities.
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I'm honestly not picky. I've had all kinds of animals catch my eye. My favorite animals personally have always been big cats but as a photographer I love capturing a wide variety of different animals.
 
You will want to use the smallest aperture you have available to get through the wires at some of the exhibits. I usually take my 18-300 lens. Sometimes it is fun to take my 80-400 but it is heavy. I like to bring my macro lens for the new Spineless Marvels exhibit. Africa Rocks can be tricky to photograph in the afternoon with the sun shining on the exhibits. The bonobos get a food toss around 10:30. Ask the volunteers about times for the gorilla and orangutan food toss. Also, check the times for the animal shows, sometimes you can get great shots with no barriers between you and the animal. Just keep your eyes open for photo opportunities and hope for clouds!
 
betsy said:
You will want to use the smallest aperture you have available to get through the wires at some of the exhibits. I usually take my 18-300 lens. Sometimes it is fun to take my 80-400 but it is heavy. I like to bring my macro lens for the new Spineless Marvels exhibit. Africa Rocks can be tricky to photograph in the afternoon with the sun shining on the exhibits. The bonobos get a food toss around 10:30. Ask the volunteers about times for the gorilla and orangutan food toss. Also, check the times for the animal shows, sometimes you can get great shots with no barriers between you and the animal. Just keep your eyes open for photo opportunities and hope for clouds!
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Awesome! Thanks for the tip on the bonobos! I do have so concerns about Africa Rocks. It looks like an awesome section from a casual zoogoer's perspective but the mesh used on a lot of the exhibits seems like quite a challenge to shoot around. I guess I'll just have to set my f-stop low and hope for the best. I'm pretty used to it with some of my local zoo's exhibits.
 
cloudedleopard611 said:
I do have so concerns about Africa Rocks. It looks like an awesome section from a casual zoogoer's perspective but the mesh used on a lot of the exhibits seems like quite a challenge to shoot around.
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The mesh in Africa Rocks can be really hit or miss depending on how the sun is hitting it when you get there. I had a fair bit of trouble with it when I visited, it's mostly because the mesh is dark and in many cases the rock backdrops are light and overexpose easily. Luckily however much of the zoo is relatively easy photograph-wise due to the use of moats, glass, and walk-throughs.
 
Great Argus said:
The mesh in Africa Rocks can be really hit or miss depending on how the sun is hitting it when you get there. I had a fair bit of trouble with it when I visited, it's mostly because the mesh is dark and in many cases the rock backdrops are light and overexpose easily. Luckily however much of the zoo is relatively easy photograph-wise due to the use of moats, glass, and walk-throughs.
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That's good to hear. What kind of lighting is best for shooting through the mesh at Africa Rocks do you think?
 
cloudedleopard611 said:
That's good to hear. What kind of lighting is best for shooting through the mesh at Africa Rocks do you think?
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@betsy and @Julio C Castro are better suited to answer this question than I am as they visit regularly whereas I do not; doing that area earlier or fairly late in the day when the light is not as harsh is probably your best bet for good photos. Betsy has already mentioned it's pretty difficult to photograph through in the late afternoon, she and Julio can probably give additional suggestions.
 
Great Argus said:
@betsy and @Julio C Castro are better suited to answer this question than I am as they visit regularly whereas I do not; doing that area earlier or fairly late in the day when the light is not as harsh is probably your best bet for good photos. Betsy has already mentioned it's pretty difficult to photograph through in the late afternoon, she and Julio can probably give additional suggestions.
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Cool, thank you :)
 
Thank you for tagging me, @Great Argus! There are a couple ways to get through the mesh is even when it’s sunny at AR. The first is getting a lens with a narrow depth of field, so anything like a f/2.8 and lower(f/2 or f/1.8). That allows you to blend most fencing especially if your subjects isn’t close to the front portion of the fence. Also, a telephoto or super telephoto lens is another good way to work around it. Meaning a lens that ranges from 100-600mm in focal length, I use a NIKKOR Z 70-200 f/2.8 on all my trips now! If the subject is close to the fencing even with both things I’ve mentioned, you can’t necessarily blend out fencing as the sensor will read that the fencing and the animal are together. As for the best lighting to shoot under, early in the day(9-11 AM) and again around afternoon(4-6 AM) are good times for me to photograph due to the position of the sun not being high up and you can shoot much easier through the shaded areas :) Also shooting on cloudy or overcast days is ideal for getting proper saturation of colors that you can edit easily later!
 
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Julio C Castro said:
Thank you for tagging me, @Great Argus! There are a couple ways to get through the mesh is even when it’s sunny at AR. The first is getting a lens with a narrow depth of field, so anything like a f/2.8 and lower(f/2 or f/1.8). That allows you to blend most fencing especially if your subjects isn’t close to the front portion of the fence. Also, a telephoto or super telephoto lens is another good way to work around it. Meaning a lens that ranges from 100-600mm in focal length, I use a NIKKOR Z 70-200 f/2.8 on all my trips now! If the subject is close to the fencing even with both things I’ve mentioned, you can’t necessarily blend out fencing as the sensor will read that the fencing and the animal are together. As for the best lighting to shoot under, early in the day(9-11 AM) and again around afternoon(4-6 AM) are good times for me to photograph due to the position of the sun not being high up and you can shoot much easier through the shaded areas :) Also shooting on cloudy or overcast days is ideal for getting proper saturation of colors that you can edit easily later!
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Hi there! Let me just say I absolutely love your photography! I've been stalking your page since I found this site haha. I have a 300-600 mm lens and that tends to help with mesh barriers provided the animal is far enough away. The trouble is always when the animals come close to the camera. I'll have to look into getting a telephoto that can do lower f-stop. The only thing I have that can get to really low f-stops is my 50 mm prime lens, which I couldn't imagine could be of much use. Thanks so much for the insight!
 
cloudedleopard611 said:
Hi there! Let me just say I absolutely love your photography! I've been stalking your page since I found this site haha. I have a 300-600 mm lens and that tends to help with mesh barriers provided the animal is far enough away. The trouble is always when the animals come close to the camera. I'll have to look into getting a telephoto that can do lower f-stop. The only thing I have that can get to really low f-stops is my 50 mm prime lens, which I couldn't imagine could be of much use. Thanks so much for the insight!
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Thank you so much! You’re too kind, I’m glad you enjoy my photos :) I would definitely get a 70-200mm f/2.8 or the f/2 version if you can, it makes the difference to blend fencing more and I was lucky to get the Z version when I did. I saw you shoot on DSLR and I would look into those options if you’re really invested into photography :) those lenses aren’t cheap but essential for this type of photography, they cover me in almost any situation.
 
Julio C Castro said:
Thank you so much! You’re too kind, I’m glad you enjoy my photos :) I would definitely get a 70-200mm f/2.8 or the f/2 version if you can, it makes the difference to blend fencing more and I was lucky to get the Z version when I did. I saw you shoot on DSLR and I would look into those options if you’re really invested into photography :) those lenses aren’t cheap but essential for this type of photography, they cover me in almost any situation.
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I'll have to stop by my local camera store and see what they have. They always seem to have lots of used lenses on great bargains. I got my 600mm there for about $600. Still not cheap but a really good deal if you consider how much it costs to buy a lens like that new.
 
cloudedleopard611 said:
I'll have to stop by my local camera store and see what they have. They always seem to have lots of used lenses on great bargains. I got my 600mm there for about $600. Still not cheap but a really good deal if you consider how much it costs to buy a lens like that new.
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That’s always a good way to go about it, even check Nikons resale site too as they sell refurbished or discounted gear there too. My only local dealer that has Z gear is Best Buy so that’s where I got all my gear haha
 
I've never been near San Diego (perhaps next year . . .), but I would make a couple of general points.
betsy said:
You will want to use the smallest aperture you have available to get through the wires at some of the exhibits.
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This is quite correct, provided you realise that @betsy means the smallest aperture number, for example f/4 rather than f/5.6 or f/8. This signifies that the actual opening in the lens (the equivalent of the iris in your eye) is as wide as possible. It also helps to have your lens as close to the wire as possible, without breaking any of the zoo's rules of course: conversely your subject should be some distance away from the other side of the wire. Finally darker wires show up far less than lighter ones do in photos, so if this is a problem, check for alternative viewpoints where the wires might be darker or in a shadow.
 
Make sure you get some serious time evening when the Amur Leopards start moving, and or awaken. They have really wonderful exhibits. Also evening time best not photograph wire showing up. The Fossa have a wonderful large exhibit in Africa Rocks. Wonderful to see them bouncing throughout. Though treaty photographing them! The koalas come alive toward evening time. The reptile building can be super tricky with crowds. I had a excited child knock over my tripod that cost me my long lense! Though when the sun beams onto reptiles one can get super shots. Also there are many bird species must zoos don't have. It a major banquet of opportunities. Plus don't miss get shots from Ariel viws of sky ride!!!
 
junglejim said:
Make sure you get some serious time evening when the Amur Leopards start moving, and or awaken. They have really wonderful exhibits. Also evening time best not photograph wire showing up. The Fossa have a wonderful large exhibit in Africa Rocks. Wonderful to see them bouncing throughout. Though treaty photographing them! The koalas come alive toward evening time. The reptile building can be super tricky with crowds. I had a excited child knock over my tripod that cost me my long lense! Though when the sun beams onto reptiles one can get super shots. Also there are many bird species must zoos don't have. It a major banquet of opportunities. Plus don't miss get shots from Ariel viws of sky ride!!!
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Thanks for the insight! Honestly photographing reptile rooms and crowds doesn't mix well at my local zoo either. The fossa is definitely one I'm excited for, as I've never been able to properly photograph them before.
 
O, O, forgot don't. Miss the ghavial exhibit. There are also enormous turtles that share this exhibit.
 
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