The Incredible Zoo Lens

[John_White]

or is it the incredible zoom lens....

Most zoos and animal parks utilize fencing, bars & dirty/scratched glass as part of their enclosures, this can make photographing animals in these enclosures difficult but not impossible. For this example I've set-up my own zoo type situation. You and your camera on one side of the gate and the subject on the other.


This first photograph of the subject was taken with a 50mm lens and the gate is clearly visible.


This photo was taken from the exact position using a 70-300 zoom lens and the gate has been almost completely blurred away.


Telephoto lenses compress perspective and tend to merge the foreground with the background and thus blurring the gate away. The more powerful the telephoto (the longer the focal length) the more the perspective is flattened. Telephoto zoom lenses give one great creative control over perspective This technique works best when the subject is located well behind the fence and you can get your camera somewhat close to the fence. Unfortunately, you CAN NOT USE A FLASH with this technique. If you use a flash the invisible fence will reflect the light and the fence will reappear with a vengeance. Give this technique a try and you'll be surprised what you can blur out of your way.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Great post John! Another thing to consider is that of cluttery background and forground and sideground...anything other than the subject often is distracting even if pretty. Blurring everything but the subject is what makes many photos really pop.

[eddie]

Great tip!
However...
I had some 'missing time' this morning and the UFO guys said I was abducted..
After seeing the pics of me on this post, I am wondering just how you managed to get me for the pics and get me home again in an hours time?????

[John_White]

Originally Posted by JuliusSqueezer

Blurring everything but the subject is what makes many photos really pop.

Thanks Brett!

I agree to some extent and especially so when the subject is in an artificial environment. However, when a critter is photographed out in the field or is surrounded by it's natural environment I find that including some of the environment in the frame can often augment the subject rather than distract from it.

[John_White]

Originally Posted by eddie

After seeing the pics of me on this post, I am wondering just how you managed to get me for the pics and get me home again in an hours time?????

Sorry, I can't tell you. It's an ancient Chinese secret

[Kent K25]

I can't see the second pic. Great tip again though!

[Stormyva]

Amazing.... I didnt realize you could blur our so much foreground like that!

[herpkingdom]

Not only does he take some awesome photographs, but now he is passing along the secrets of how he is getting them.

What a Guy!!!

Thank You Mr. White.

[Ed_r]

You Rock John

I think i know the answer but I'll ask anyway. Why is it when i use a flash the pics come out perfectly sharp, but if I don't use a flash and take the exact same picture just minus the flash they are all blurry? Is it because I'm moving the camera when shooting, and when I use the flash it seems to stop the action better? hard to describe that but I think you know what I'm asking.

[John_White]

Originally Posted by Ed_r

I think i know the answer but I'll ask anyway. Why is it when i use a flash the pics come out perfectly sharp, but if I don't use a flash and take the exact same picture just minus the flash they are all blurry? Is it because I'm moving the camera when shooting, and when I use the flash it seems to stop the action better? hard to describe that but I think you know what I'm asking.

Thanks Ed,

Your own answer is correct.
Without flash the camera tries to compensate for low light conditions by leaving the shutter open longer and the slightest movement is detected and reproduced on your photo. The simplest answer is to steady the camera by using a tripod or trying bracing yourself against something. If your camera has a shutter priority setting, you can try setting a faster shutter speed but you'll lose some depth-of-field. I almost always use a tripod.

[John_White]

Originally Posted by herpkingdom

Not only does he take some awesome photographs, but now he is passing along the secrets of how he is getting them.

What a Guy!!!

Thank You Mr. White.

Thanks Jim!