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Photo Masterclass part 16: Zoo photography
To improve your photography of animals in zoos, download the pdf at the bottom of the page.
The best way to photograph exotic animals – without the expense or carbon emissions of a trip abroad – is to visit a zoo. But just because the animals are captive doesn’t mean a great photo is guaranteed. You need to capture a sense of the animal’s wild character.
Even well-travelled professional photographers work in zoos, where it is possible to take intimate shots of shy or endangered animals that are difficult to see in the wild.
It’s not as easy as it sounds – you still need skill and patience to turn an ordinary shot into an outstanding one – but sightings are at least guaranteed.
Sorrowful subjects
Some zoos are better than others, of course. The worst cram animals together in tiny cages and should be avoided at all cost – they don’t deserve support for humane reasons and their unhappy inhabitants make sorrowful subjects.
But the best zoos provide large natural enclosures, which are better for the animals and much more inspiring for photographers.
Many of the more progressive zoos even have high observation walkways or moats instead of fences, which can provide particularly good picture-taking opportunities.
Honesty is the best policy
The biggest problem is usually the surroundings. Fences, brick walls, neatly-mown grass and horrible backgrounds all conspire to ruin good images. Capturing a sense of wildness amid the clutter is what separates the professionals from the happy-snappers.
No respectable photographer should try to pass off a captive animal as wild and free (true professionals always label them ‘captive’), but a sympathetic and natural background is essential. It should look natural, even if it’s not.
This month, we’ll be showing you how to keep it looking wild and exploring the best ways to amass a wonderful portfolio of exotic species.
MEET THE EXPERT: Pete Oxford, Ecuador
British wildlife photographer Pete Oxford has lived in Ecuador since 1985. His award-winning work has appeared in publications worldwide and in four of his own books.
Pete Oxford is primarily a ‘wild’ wildlife photographer and spends most of his time in the field. But he has fond memories of zoo photography for helping to kick-start his career and, even now, never misses an opportunity to work in a good zoo.
“There are many negative aspects to zoos,” he warns. “My Highly Commended shot from the 2002 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition [showing a tourist striking a mock pose of bravado astride a chained tiger in China] exposed one of the worst. But I am encouraged that zoos in many parts of the world are getting better.
“Whenever I am in Asia, I visit Singapore Zoo,” he enthuses. “It’s my favourite zoo – the enclosures are fabulous and as natural as possible, and it has species I cannot easily photograph in the wild.
"Cotton-top tamarins are a good example, because they live in a region of Colombia where it’s too dangerous to work.”
Pete believes zoos are great places for honing photographic skills. “At a zoo, you have time to experiment,” he says. “You can get to know an animal’s various moods and expressions.”
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The photos that they did is
The photos that they did is so good. You can get so much from these photos. Great shots of the animals. There is nothing better then this.
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