FTW Zoo

Body T2i and a Tamron 18-270 IF

Here are some shots from a recent zoo trip. CC is encouraged
1.

1. Nice photo, but it looks like your focus was on the cat's body and not the head/face.
2. Nice set up, but just a tad soft. Maybe there was some movement? Or shooting hand-held?
3. Creepy bugs! The lighting is harsh on this one. Was it a dark area where you had to use a flash?
4. My favorite of the bunch. Awesome colors and sharpness on the left side of the frame, but perhaps the overhead light on the right side blew out some highlights.
5. Love your angle/composition, but again, I think the focus was on the snake's body and not the head.

Do you primarily use autofocus? If not, try experimenting with manual focus or set up your focus points. These are nice, but your dof seems inconsistent. Once you start manually selecting AF points, I'm sure you'll be even happier with your results. Thanks for sharing!

the last photo is easily the best shot imo if only it was in focus (and shows the snake's eyes)

There seems to be fundamental errors in focussing in all of these, some of which are painful to view. The leopard at this size may be rescued by just selecting the head and sharpening this area so that it is similar to the rest of the animal.

Gapton wrote in post #11584697
the last photo is easily the best shot imo if only it was in focus (and shows the snake's eyes)

I agree (above). If the head was sharper it would be killer.


Thanks everyone these were shot in AF in the Auto. This is proably why I'm missing the focus. I really need to work more on purposly selecting my AF points. Any suggestions as to how you do it?

Papa Bear wrote in post #11587009
I agree (above). If the head was sharper it would be killer.


Thanks everyone these were shot in AF in the Auto. This is proably why I'm missing the focus. I really need to work more on purposly selecting my AF points. Any suggestions as to how you do it?

Just decide what you want in focus, then select that focus point. You need to switch to a different mode, "P" for starters.

lindsaytblum wrote in post #11587065
Just decide what you want in focus, then select that focus point. You need to switch to a different mode, "P" for starters.

Yea I understand how the focus system works in general.(theres a great link somewhere on this board that explains Canon AF indepth) I also have to disagree with you that P is for "starters". Its a feature of convienence for me. I also shoot in TV, AV and occasionaly M. But when Im at the zoo just snapping occasional pics and having a good time with the wife and kiddo P or any of the other presets are great options.

Papa Bear wrote in post #11625931
I also have to disagree with you that P is for "starters".

I'm sorry, I didn't state that effectively. I mean "for starters" like, "to begin with, try out P mode". I didn't mean to make it sound like P mode is for 'beginners'.

I don't have a leg to stand on to critique; however, the 4th picture is my favorite.. it would be perfect to get some of the detail back on the right side where the highlight is.