Digital Nature Photography

Close up digital nature photography or digital wildlife photography is very exciting. However, before going on a safari to practice your wildlife photography, you may want to begin at your nearest zoo. A zoo offers the easiest and least expensive way to photography exotic animals. You can also learn some basic information about how animals act and react and how to photography them before venturing into trying to photograph them in a less controlled environment. Consider it a good basic learning environment.

Even in a zoo setting, you will have to practice patience because animals don't pose when you want them too. you have to watch for the right moment and be ready because they won't hold the "pose" long.

Tips for Taking photos at a zoo:

1. Be aware that flash and infrared light may disturb animals. Be sure to check with zoo personnel about that.

2. It may be difficult not to get cages and wires in the frame. If you are trying to get the look as if the animals were in a natural setting, you don't want cages and wires to show. Use your longest focal point lens very close to the wire, set the lens at its widest aperture.

3. When shooting through glass, stand at an angle to it. don't stand directly in front of it as the flash will bounce straight back at the camera.

4. Try to plan your trip to the zoo at a time when the least amount of visitors will be there so there will be less distraction for both you and the animal you are photographing.