The zoo and safari are interesting places for many people, especially the children and animal lovers. It represents a world that’s different from the one we live in. There are no high-rise buildings and congested highways. There is no pollution of any kind. There are only animals. Lots of animals.

Most of the people who go to the zoo or tour the safari like watching and observing animals; they like seeing the animals move around. Some go to relax and unwind, or to simply spend time with their kids and family.

There are also people who go to the zoo to enjoy what nature has to offer. Photographers roam around the zoo looking for interesting subjects to shoot. Zoo animals are unique subjects; they tell a lot of stories. They create scenes any audience would want to see. However, since not all zoos and safaris allow animals to move around freely, there will most likely be restrictions that can hinder a photographer’s creative output.

Lines upon lines of fences, gates and even glass can mean some restrictions for photographers. In certain instances, it would be difficult to get the desired shot because of these limitations.

How to Take the Photos

So, if you’re planning to visit the zoo or safari sometime soon to photograph all the adorable animals there, you need to keep in mind (and follow) some tips and tricks that can make your zoo photography experience a productive one.

1. Planning

   Before you go to the zoo or safari, plan what you will do. Plan your day. Don’t plan the shots that you’re going to take; that won’t be spontaneous and creative. Just plan your day in the zoo. Get a copy of the zoo or safari and study it. You can find copies on brochures and interactive online maps. Take note of special shows, if there are some, as these will present interesting opportunities for you to shoot animals at a closer and more personal viewpoint. Be mindful of the zoo or safari’s hours of operations. It is important to choose the right time of day for shooting animals. Consider the animals’ feeding and playing time, as well as the weather.

2. Ask Permission

   Be sure to ask permission from the zoo or safari management before setting out to take photos. Ask them about rules and regulations. Some are sensitive when it comes to copyrights. Don’t forget to ask about this.

3. Work Around Restrictions

   As previously mentioned, zoos and safaris have certain restrictions. So, you will need to deal with these restrictions, which means you’ll need to know how to shoot through cages, gates and fences. You can’t jump over them, so you might as well play with your lens’ correct settings to remove the lines. What you need to do is move closer and stand as close as you can to the cage, gate or fence. Then find a gap and position your camera through it or between gaps. If the gaps are too small, just adjust your camera so that the animal – your subject – is in between the gaps or in a gap.

4. Be Mindful of Shades

   They’re not the easiest to work around with, but they’re not a complication. If you’ve been into photography for a long time, you’ll know that shades can be used to create effect. However, if you factor in the cages, fences and gates, you might want to think about shades a little bit more. Just make sure that the sun doesn’t reflect off them. Choose a part of the cage, gate or fence that’s shaded so that it won’t reflect on the photos.

5. Fences? Shoot With Large Aperture

   It is important to shoot with large aperture when you’re trying to get images through the fences. This will allow light to wrap around the fences so that they won’t be too noticeable in the photo. Unless you want to create some sort of effect using the gates or fences…

6. Pay Attention to the Backgrounds

   Make sure that it doesn’t appear distracting, cluttered or too choreographed. Make everything look good but natural. The animals should blend with their backgrounds, but shouldn’t be eaten by them.

7. Experiment With Your Angles

   Don’t be afraid to experiment with your angles. Don’t limit yourself to taking shots standing up; try to find good angles while lying down on the ground or while standing on a bench or any high object (be sure it’s sturdy and safe, though!). Shoot from eye level, from up high or from down on the ground.

8. Glass Cage?

   You already know what to do with gates and fences, now it’s time to talk about glass. How do you take a photo of an animal enclosed in a glass cage? Difficult, right? But, there’s always a way around things. To avoid taking shots that reflect smudges of fingers, hands or heads, carry a clean cloth that you can use to wipe them off with. Wipe the area where you plan to position your camera and shoot. When you’re sure that it is clean, get a lens hood over your camera and press your camera against the glass. To further make sure that you don’t catch any unwelcome reflections, cover the side of your camera’s lens. Most photographers choose to shoot on manual mode in situations like this because it minimizes the chances of taking blurred images. Before pressing the button, make sure that nobody leans on the glass or causes the glass to move.

9. Adjust Your Shutter Speed

   Like when photographing humans, focus on the eyes of the animals. If you plan to take action shots – i.e. animals moving fast or running – be prepared to work with your shutter speed. Adjust your camera to manual exposure or opt for the shutter priority exposure option. Just be sure that your shutter speed is fast enough to capture the animal’s motion. Use slower speeds when shooting fish swimming in an aquarium or swinging apes.

10. Use a Tripod or Monopod

    If the zoo or safari management allows it, use a tripod for your shots to keep them steady and well focused. If it is not allowed, go for a monopod.

11. Get People in Your Shots

    Just because you are shooting animals doesn’t mean you cannot shoot scenes with people. In fact, it is highly recommended that you insert some people and animals photos in your story. It can be a scene showing a child admiring a baby bear or maybe someone feeding a monkey (if feeding is allowed). Children are the best to photograph because their reactions are never the same; they’re animated and innocent.

12. Capture Funny Moments

    Try to capture an animal’s funny moments; like when a monkey grins or steals peanuts from an audience’s paper bag. These are heartwarming light moments that add color and life to your photographs.

A visit to the zoo is an exciting experience. It becomes even more thrilling when you get to take home priceless images of the animals with you. It’s like bringing home your own zoo.