by Ron ToelOther Articles by Ron Toel:
Unrelated to Photography: Alligators … Elephant Seals … Ruby-throated Hummingbirds … Wood Storks |
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For the photographer, zoos are a place one can go to get images of animals that one would have difficulty seeing in the wild. It is like shooting studio work but with a lack of control designed within a studio.
The advantages of a zoo shoot are that most zoos are convenient, and usually have good healthy animals that one may never see in the wild. Modern zoo designs now feature a moat or a pit (so no shooting through the bars) and a more natural setting. Also one gets to see babies, which are difficult to see in the wild.
The disadvantage is that one has to contend with many people (of course people can be fun to shoot as well). Only modern-day zoos are equipped without bars. Also, there is the alpenglow lighting at times when most zoos are closed, and this is also the time when most animals are most active. During most zoo hours there is very little activity of the animals. Most zoos, even some modern-day ones, have less than appropriate backgrounds for a realistic image. Usually, there is a blank wall as a background. Even this can be made to not be noticeable if one uses a medium-range telephoto lens and shoots with a wide aperture. This then creates a shallow depth of field and throws the background out of focus. This method also does not allow for full-body images of the larger animals.
No matter where one goes, to create images, there are pros and cons. I, personally, tried shooting in zoos and came to dislike it. The cons have always outweighed the benefits and I was never satisfied with my images.
If one does do zoo work and creates great images, when trying to sell them label them as captive images. I know several great photographers, that created captive animal images and told everyone they were wild. When discovered, these particular photographers were blackballed and never sold any more of their work. Honesty is the best policy.
I have 400-500 images of mountain lions….all but one were shot captive. I have several bobcat images, half were shot captive. I have several wolf images…..most were shot captive. I have several fisher images, all were shot captive. Animals such as seals and walrus, polar bears, and several others have all been captive shots and one can tell by just looking at the image.
I still enjoy the zoos…..I still go to them and carry my camera when I go….but I no longer create images of the captive animals. Instead, I have found it is a great place to find birds, and many of the small mammals (squirrels and other rodents) because they are free-loading on the food that is wasted by the larger animals. Don’t give it up.
