Photographing wild and exotic animals is a dream for many photographers but the reality is that most will not get the chance to travel the world over searching out their muse. Enter the local zoo!

JHP_170105_AZ_2105Australia Zoo, Tiger where I had to shoot through the thick glass; but what a nice angle it was poised at!

The zoo can be a great spot or a terrible spot to photograph depending on lots of variables and what kind of image you are looking for.  I had a very nice visit at the Australia Zoo last week and took the opportunity to capitalize on well done enclosures and animals that were out and about.

JHP_170105_AZ_2032Australia Zoo, Koala

I have found that I take photos that are of personal nature on my cell phone and more professional grade images on my DSLR.  So my focus on this outing with my pro camera was to capture a few good images of animals in the zoo in which you cant tell they are in the zoo.... I mean... I just got a few great shots while out trekking of course!

JHP_170105_AZ_2046Australia Zoo, Kookaburra  

Challenges to this are lots of people, animals that are not out or not cooperating with my visionary ideas, the inability to shoot through glass or bars or get at an appealing angle to the subject.

JHP_170105_AZ_2007Australia Zoo. This was a bad angle to photograph this Cassowary. A flightless and ancient, Ratite bird. Any other choice for position would have produced background trash.

Unfortunately, Australia has a lot of nocturnal animals and it was tuff to get many of them into the type of photo I was after. 

JHP_170105_AZ_2041Australia Zoo, Wombat in sleep mode against an unnatural habitat backdrop. Sure is cute though!

Fortunately, they also had an African

JHP_170105_AZ_2076Australia Zoo, Giraffe which is cooperating well but the backdrop may not be quite accurate.

and Asian section that homed a few  awake  and cooperative subjects.

JHP_170105_AZ_2130Australia Zoo, Red Panda

You may notice that there is a similarity to the above images that most are cropped rather close or include just a headshot and that is for a couple of reasons: One, the most interesting part of the animal is the eyes.   Two, it minimizes the chance of what I call background trash in the image.

JHP_170105_AZ_2038Australia Zoo, Giant Tortiose. if I was to include the entire animal in this we would also see hands and feet of many people petting them... yuck who wants that?

Another way to reduce background trash in the image is to go during slow hours.  The picture of the roo was taken on our way out in the evening as there were finally a lot less people around but the poor thing was tuckered out and I was loosing good light.

JHP_170105_AZ_2132Australia Zoo, Kangaroo.  

In some instances it is in the photographers best interest of course to focus on the bigger picture to set the mood.  This one of Bindi Irwin, would not be the same if it didn't include the surroundings of fence and an extra guard person during the feeding of this large Saltwater Croc.

JHP_170105_AZ_2007Australia Zoo, Saltwater Croc being fed by Bindi Irwin

In conclusion, I had a fun day learning about the critters in Australia and challenging myself to good images of them.   The next time you are at the zoo, no matter where it may be... I challenge you to do the same!

JHP_170105_AZ_2058Australia Zoo, Emu

Want to see more photos?  Just click on any of the images in the blog to be directed to a larger, theme oriented gallery.  As always feel free to leave comments or ask questions :-)