3 minute read
Wild Zoo Animals
By John Reed, Photography Volunteer & Snapshot Society Instructor
A departure this month from photo tips and technical how-to-do. Let’s talk about wild animals. The term “wild” has many meanings. Untamed, primal and natural are all words that come to mind when thinking of the term. As a photographer, I love exploring places that bring me in contact with all different facets of the environment, but especially the wildness. One of the reasons I love a zoo or aquarium so much is because it gets me closer to a wild part of our world that I likely won’t ever get to see any other way. It allows my imagination to run free. It takes me to a place in my mind that is comforting and enjoyable.
From mammals, birds, reptiles and even insects, these creatures are fascinating. They are at the Zoo, but they are still wild. I love this, and it’s why I strive to make images that eliminate any signs of human influence. I try to imagine how they would look in their native, natural environment. It’s my tribute to these magnificent creatures with whom we share our world. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to totally immerse myself in our natural world and to try to capture its beauty through photography.
Although, one thing I wrestle a bit with is this: what if lovely images of wild animals helps contribute to inspiring people to want one of their own? All too often people fall in love with a wild animal and end up acquiring one, usually from the illegal pet trade market. This is a tragedy on two fronts. First and foremost, wild animals simply do not make good pets. They get too big or too wild and their owners end up getting rid of them, usually by releasing them or selling them off. Secondly, it supports trafficking in wild animals, removing them from their natural habitats, weakening biodiversity and introducing the chance of diseases in their non-native environment. However, through awareness and education, photos that I or other nature photographers take can be a great learning opportunity. It’s okay to love a beautiful photo of a jaguar, komodo dragon, pittviper or any other wild species, while respecting and protecting wildlife and wild places at the same time.
I’ll get back to technical tips and advice next time. Until then, here are some of my favorite images, hopefully showing the amazing wild animals we are blessed to have at the Zoo.
