The NO ZOO ANIMALS challenge.

Time for a new one from me....

The idea here is NOT to go to the zoo, wildlife park, local nature reserve, etc., and post shots like my first one of "cute" penguins.
No "stoned" koalas.
No giraffe, chomping on leaves.
And absolutely NO pacing/sleeping/yawnin​g lions!

Instead, take a look around you at us "animals" looking at the beasts stuck in their cages/enclosures and shoot away!

I want you to try using WA/UWA lenses up close.
Lots of candid images with creamy bokeh from all you prime-lovers.
Plenty of expressions, captured unawares with longer zooms/primes.
Be creative.

The only "rule" for now is, don't just shoot your own family.
The aim here is to get you to develop skills at capturing other people, being themselves, like in my second shot.

Cheers for now,
Simon

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And here are another couple from today....

Our local zoo is going through a big overhaul, so hopefully when it reopens in May, I'll have more places to shoot more candids.

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Right. The weather has finally improved, so it's time to bump this challenge for all you budding street photographers, as this is a great method to improve shooting people without feeling an oddball!

Take your long/short/zoom lenses to a zoo or some such place.
Shoot "through" the cages, bars and glass at the people staring at the animals. Shoot sideways. Use LiveView. Shoot from the hip or from your lap, if you're sat down. Shoot over your own shoulder. Shoot people while walking....anything to develop genuine skills.

Subscribe, and shoot away, trying to get more comfortable with taking shots of people naturally.

Here are a couple of mine from today:
Great shoes for walking around a zoo(!).
And a baby wanting attention more than her mum was willing to give?!

I've more, but need to have a drink with Missus Skygod!!!

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Timphoto wrote in post #9849269
Took this one at the San Diego Zoo while we were watching the gorillas. His mom swore that he didn't pose for photographs. I had to promise to send her copies of the 5 shots I took while he was grinning and posing for me.

Excellent stuff Tim!
Great to see someone take up the challenge.
And a great way to spread your business card, too!

And here are another couple from me.
While sat watching some lemurs, I spotted this mother and daughter, who looked like they were deep into some intellectual debate...lead by the daughter! In the second shot, I thought she was explaining to her mum the basics of existentialism from the viewpoint of Lama Anagarika Govinda, but as they passed me, it turned out she was saying she needed a pee!

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This went no where but I'm game if I could ever go back. I might have something from back in the day though with a field trip. I love shooting the "animals" because they tend to be more interesting than the animals themselves, especially on a third visit. Tele still is better though just like on the street.

_aravena wrote in post #9861801
This went no where but I'm game if I could ever go back. I might have something from back in the day though with a field trip. I love shooting the "animals" because they tend to be more interesting than the animals themselves, especially on a third visit. Tele still is better though just like on the street.

Yeah....I added this thread as a challenge, and just so I wouldn't forget to do it myself!
If you get the chance - and this includes any places where "we" are usually looking intently at some kind of exhibit, display, whatever - do shoot more people and post 'em up.
It's all good practice as far as I'm concerned. And here are another couple from me.

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Ah....what the hell. I'll keep bumping this until some more of you realise what an easy way it is to practice street-style photography!
Like this pair

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I'll bite I love taking street shots of people .

hmmm, sure is a creative idea.

Miniflash wrote in post #9906468
I'll bite I love taking street shots of people .

Great shot, Deb! And good to have you on board. Was this shot taken at some kind of ceremony?

mikruhtra wrote in post #9907288
hmmm, sure is a creative idea.

Thanks....now get out there and shoot away

spikeystitch wrote in post #9908157
Shot a few years ago when I first got my XTi. Taken at the local zoo. The lady was just hanging out and reading a book.

Lovely shot. It's quite interesting, I think, how many people go to the zoo and don't wander around looking at the animals. Mostly grandparents, from my observations, but they're making for excellent subjects for us!

Hope to see more from you!

from a motocross event a couple years ago

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one more

taken with my s5is! before i even had an SLR... seems like forever ago!

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ngrohosky wrote in post #9911294
one more

taken with my s5is! before i even had an SLR... seems like forever ago!

Now THAT is an excellent shot! Top marks to you!!!!

More please (even from a dSLR, if you feel like it)