First "Wildlife" attempts at zoo - Warning lots of pictures.

[lost]

Made and unexpected trip to the zoo this weekend. Which ment zero preperation time. I was there with family so that was my focus but I maneged to have time to take a couple pictures of the animals(not the kids).

All the shots were taken with a 300D 70-200 F/4L using available light. Exif data available on my website. Link by request.

The pictures were only converted from raw using RSE. No touchup in photoshop as I don't have it, or any other photoeditor as of now.

Please forgive me if I did something wrong. This is my first picture post as it took me a while to work up the nerve. This is also my first time really shooting wildlife.

(EDIT:Fixed Photo Size)

Probably my favorite shot. I love Wood Ducks. Turtle kinda screws it up.


http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4628.jpg


I did not expect this one to come out as good as it did.

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4567.jpg

This guy is just down right CUTE. Wish the bars would go away.

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4579.jpg

This little fellow looked like he was about to ask me a question.

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4672.jpg


Wiith out the foilage in the foreground I would have really liked this one. Look like they are sitting at a table enjoying tea.

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4693.jpg

This shot really supprised me. Not uncomon though.

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4710.jpg

I think the light background take away from this one.

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4712.jpg

What can you say about orangoutangs, they are just cool.

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4722.jpg

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4724.jpg

And the majestic White Tiger.

http://www.btoups.com/host/CRW_4729.jpg

[AJ Montgomery]

Resize for web, please . . .

[AJ Montgomery]

Thank you!

[lost]

Fixed size, That will teach me to preview before I post sorry.

[tommykjensen]

There are some nice shot here.

I like the squirril and racoon best.

As for the bars on the cute bird. You have the tools to get those bars to melt away. I don't know if the conditions were right in Your case but to accomplish that You have to put the lense as close to the fance/bars as possible. Though in Your case it looks like the bird would have come in closer than the minimum focus length.

Here is a couple of examples of mine, a Kookaburra, the masks in the fence are just 1,5 cm x 1,5 cm.
http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photohtml.php?n=zoo050206kookaburra1.jpg (20D)
http://photo.klein-jensen.dk/photohtml.php?n=latterfugl.jpg (300D)

[RJSorensen]

LOL, you did good . . . why the worry. See it is not so bad . . . welcome to the nature forum.

[lost]

Tommy,

Thanks,
The bird was about 2 inches behind the wire. No way I could have gotten any closer.

RJ,

Thanks, any advice for the future?

[Michaelmjc]

This guy is just down right CUTE. Wish the bars would go away.
Wish no further!

Some really great shots, love the chipmunk, so cute.

[RJSorensen]

Being an acknowledged 'Hack' all I can say is to shoot and look, see where you have blown out your exposure . . . then make a plan to correct it. Learn to position yourself in the best light, at the best times, (break any and all rules as you wish) but if you shoot with the sun to your back or during early morning/late evening the light is kinder to many photographs.

Photography is easy (easy for me to say) it is simply putting together a list of elements that work together, at one time. Shoot from a tripod, always. As I have seen posted here, no one cares how slow you can hand hold, just what the picture looks like, use fast enough shutter speeds to stop the motion, i.e. a sharp photo. Unless motion is inferred . . . lol. Crop in camera don't count of post processing to save you. Photos are made when taken, not on the computer. Use all of the tricks and advantages in your favor, don't work against them, don't count on luck, don't spray and pray, like I do, lol, but get ONE good photograph a day.

If you got ONE good shot a day you will have 300+ in the course of a year. I get about six or seven a year. This is a mind game . . . the shots, the inspiration is within all of us, it is the getting it out that is a problem for most. Don't choke, just go out and shoot ONE picture a day that you can be proud of. Shoot often enough that you know your camera, know your gear. Find the 'sweet' spot of your len(s) find what f/stops work best for the depth of field you wish. Get used to failure . . . at least in your minds eye, BUT use this to improve every day, Every Day. You can only be the best, you can be. That may make you a world class photographer, or just a hack like me. But you can be pleased with YOUR work, put effort into it.

One can shoot from the seat of the car . . . get out and find and take that ONE shot. I wish I could get my own advice to work for me, lol. Perhaps it will someday. Breath slow be an artist, let your creative inner soul show itself to you. Then you can show it to us. Don't feel bad if some don't like your style. Some won't. Please yourself, good work is just good work and will be seen as such, even by those whom do not 'favor' your subjects and or style. Good work is and always will be good work. Don't sway with the wind, but be able to change . . . you decide.

Sorry for the tirade . . . but I do think it easy to be a great photographer. It is the details within ourselves that hinder us. Just don't let it.

[lost]

Michael,

Thats great work in ?Photoshop? i guess. One day I hope to get Photoshop. Oh and learn how to use it.

RJ,

Thanks for the advice. I would be very happy with one good picture a day.

[RJSorensen]

Me too . . .

[Michaelmjc]

Michael,

Thats great work in ?Photoshop? i guess. One day I hope to get Photoshop. Oh and learn how to use it.

RJ,

Thanks for the advice. I would be very happy with one good picture a day.

Thanks, i did use photoshop. I am constantly editing my pictures, so it was nothin.

cheers

[lost]

Well RJ I didnt get my picture in for the day. I will have to get 2 in tomorrow.

[RJSorensen]

Yea . . . I sometimes have to 'catch' up myself. It seems so simple, ONE a day. We will kill'em tomorrow!

Michael, nice Photoshop work btw . . . ;)

[Shellshock]

Great pictures. The white tiger one is very well done.

[lost]

Thanks Shellshock