Any tips for photography?

Leslie

It’s all about the lighting. You can take a picture of something completely random with a cheap camera, in great lighting, and have it come out just awesome. Most pictures that get taken right as the sun is setting or rising come out pretty cool.

Damian

If you’re an amateur, make sure the setting is on AUTO, or the green button, thus the camera will know what to do.
Your resolution will not be the highest but you’ll get decent pictures.
Make sure your not facing the sun at any time… it darkens your pictures…

Also if you want to take some soft photos I recomend packing a black knee high stalking and put it over your lens.. ( make sure it’s not double patched around toes r at least don’t use that part on…) you’ll love the effect. It also cuts glare.

Jaycee

Keep the sun behind you.

Try and get the lowest angles possible.

Be patient.

Try going either very early, or just before closing.

Arthur

don’t be afraid to wait to get the best possible shot. Patience goes a long way and will show in your compositions.

Kenya

Make sure you see what you are getting not get what you didn’t see.
Look in the view finder
Take pictures of what you like and as many as possible the odds you will get a shot that is so great that it will rock
A good practice is try your best and keep working at it Photo shop is for the person who only takes one shot and fixes and you are better than that

Neveah

I’m going to respectfully disagree with the idea of being in the auto mode. When in auto you remove yourself from the process, meaning your pictures will look just like everyone else’s who’s using auto.

You will find it much more rewarding to shoot with maximum control over the image. I’ll be the first to admit you’ll loose some photos to mistakes as you’re learning, but you WILL learn, and before you know it you’ll find yourself taking much better pictures than the auto mode can.

For instance, a few people said not to shoot facing into the sun. That’s good advice in auto mode, but if you’re controlling the camera, you can compensate and create some truly striking pictures. (Furry animals and birds look especially good in strong back light)

Besides, if there’s a shot you REALLY want to get, you can always shoot a backup in the auto mode until you’re more confident of your abilities.

If you are set on shooting auto however, I recommend using the shutter priority mode. (Usually indicated by an “S” on the mode wheel.) You will probably find yourself using the longer end of the zoom most of the day (Zoomed in) due to the fact that most zoos keep you pretty well separated from the animals. The downside to shooting like this is that it will magnify any unsteadiness from hands which means blurry pictures. You can minimize the blur by setting a higher shutter speed.

Jasmin

Use the longest telephoto lens you have and keep your aperture wide to throw the background out of focus. If you can, steady the camera with a tripod or monopod for the best results.

If you are careful to shoot between the bars and energetically connect with the animal, you will get portfolio worthy “wildlife” images!

Michelle

Here’s an article on Photographing at the Zoo from New York Institute of Photography