Tips for Everyday Zoo Photos

By John Reed, Photography Volunteer & Snapshot Society Teacher

Tips for Everyday Zoo Photos

There is no doubt Members enjoy their visits to Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, as evidenced by their photographs. It is wonderful to see how many people commemorate their visit with photos they share on the Zoo’s Facebook page and other social media platforms. That is one of the reasons I enjoy leading the Snapshot Society events and sharing tips for all photographers.

The sun plays a critical role in taking photographs at the Zoo and how it casts light on subjects.

Look at the difference of the lion's mane in these two pictures and how the sun had an impact on the pictures.

Lighting is an important element to beautiful photos, so here are a few tips to capture the perfect photo in sunlight.

First of all, if it is a sunny day, pay attention to the location of the sun. If you are looking toward the sun (into the light), that can often confuse your camera's light measurement system. Your subject will often come out too dark, depending on the background. Try to avoid these situations unless you have an adjustable camera and know how to correct for this issue.

If the sun is behind you, that is the situation the camera will handle best and give great photos as far as how bright or dark the subject will be. The problem here is that the photo may not have enough detail, which is called a "flat" image. These can still be good images though, so fire away.

To get that detail, such as in fur or feathers, try to have the sun at your side. This directional light creates subtle shadows allowing all that fine fur and feather detail to show up, making for a much more interesting photo. Compare the mane in these lion images: left is a sidelight and right is head-on and “flat.”

Of course, if it is an overcast day, there is no direction from the light, and the camera will handle that well. Just make sure you do not include too much of the gray or white sky.

I hope this helps you take stunning photos during your next visit to the Zoo. If you ever see me around, please feel free to say hello and ask me any questions you may have.