This week I attended an online Wildlife Photography Conference that I found to be very informative. One of the classes was about practicing photographing animals at the zoo first before heading out into the wild. In a nutshell the instructor was saying that going to the zoo to photograph the animals is a lot less costly to do than making a big trip and you get in plenty of practice on the critters that are pretty much a “captive” audience. Hone your skills here before going there.
I can see some benefits to that in helping you learn how to use your camera to it’s best potential and being more comfortable with it instead of going out into the wild and possibly fumbling around with settings and missing shots. But on another hand, animals in the zoo are not going to be behaving like they will in nature.
In the long run, practice is good for your photography no matter where you go and at least at a zoo you will definitely have some animals to practice on as compared to sometimes in the wild where a day may be a total bust; I have had days like that. Happy photography to you this weekend. No idea what we are going to do but I’ve gotten both of my vaccinations and DH has gotten his first so I’m looking forward to getting back out there. Yippee!
In the meantime here’s a photo of one of the Columbus Zoo eagles. Shooting through a fence takes practice too!
Teri 📷
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
Shooting through a fence is not easy but you nailed it with the Eagle.
Thanks! Lots of practice 🙂
That eagle has a very troubled took on his face.
Deep in thought maybe?
The photo looks great, Teri. I agree with Tim, the eagle looks troubled. He probably has been injured in some way and cannot be released back into the wild.
Or he’s miffed by the behavior of the younger ones with him.
Here’s the answer to how to tell male from female bald eagles. See Wayne’s response to my question.
https://tofinophotography.wordpress.com/2021/03/11/chillin-out/
I hadn’t thought of zoo practice beforehand. (I sort of did it the other way round in Africa) But it does make sense. Great shot.
And congrats on the shots. (Just got our first shot ten days ago) Let’s see how this helps. The US is above 100 millions vaccinated right? It should help at a country level. 🤞
Thanks! Hoping it helps around the globe!
I remember my first zoo photography, 36 photos of perfectly focused fences and bars with some badly focused animals behind. Digital photography has helped much with immediate feedback.
Does make a big difference doesn’t it? 🙂
Wildlife is so beautiful!
Yes it is!