Complete Photography Manual

Author: Daniel Lezcano
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Techniques for Photographing Animals in Zoos
Shooting caged animals has one advantage—you can get close to photographing dangerous animals like large felines without any risk of injury. However, the fences and barriers that protect you from animal harm can also affect your shots. By using certain techniques, you can capture animals through these obstacles, and sometimes even completely eliminate them from the frame. The secret to photographing animals through fences or barriers is to get as close to them as possible (as long as it doesn’t violate regulations or provoke the animals’ hostility), and use a wide aperture for shooting. The result is that the fences and barriers become completely out of focus, while the shallow depth of field also blurs the background, further highlighting the animals. You may find that the lens often focuses on the fences or barriers, so if possible, switch to manual focus mode to avoid this issue. Some enclosures don’t obstruct the view, making your shooting easier. In this case, you should try to make the photos look as close to a natural environment as possible to ensure the animals aren’t obviously caged.
Shooting through glass presents the problem of reflections. You can address this by using a lens hood, a polarizer, and shooting as close to the glass as possible. Since you can’t use a flash, it’s essential to carry a tripod or other camera support equipment.
Techniques for Photographing Flowers
Vibrant flowers are a favorite subject for photographers. These relatively small subjects require necessary macro equipment for close-up photography. If shooting outdoors, it’s best to do so on cloudy days, as the light is not only bright enough but also much softer than on sunny days. On sunny days, try to find flowers, ferns, and leaves backlit for shooting. Carry a spray bottle and lightly mist these plants—the tiny water droplets glisten in the sunlight, adding a unique element to your photos.
Color plays a crucial role in flower photography—be mindful of strong color contrasts and different shades of the same color in the frame. Patterns are also very appealing—observe the intricate shapes of leaves, petals, and ferns. You can also shoot close-ups of single plants, remembering to use a wide aperture, and capture colorful fields.
In spring, you can visit forests to photograph bluebells and poppies; in summer, try creative compositions, such as shooting yellow sunflowers against a deep blue sky. Carry a polarizer to fully bring out the saturated colors. On windy days, you should have enough patience and make the most of the brief moments of calm when the wind stops to shoot. Alternatively, you can set up a still-life scene indoors. Consider how the colors of your subject and the background complement each other, and try shooting from different perspectives.