Tiger Shooting

[Glassman]

For those of you who have been on the Tiger Shoot in Mckinney, do you have any tips on how to get great Tiger shots? This will be my first time and I plan on using a 300d with 70-200 f4L.

[snidow]

I've been twice and both times were totally different from each other. The 70-200 is a good lens for this as you are pretty close to the tigers and lion. There are 4 cages, the first is the lion, then 3 tiger cages. Rocky the male tiger is in the cage at the end and sometimes has the best light. Depends on if you have any sun or not, early morning light can be really nice. Last time I went it was overcast and really a bit dark. I am sure you will enjoy it and really all I can say is don't be rushed about it and work on the shots you want to capture. Hope that helps.

[Glassman]

Laurie,
Thanks for the tip, Rocky will be the first one on my list....I checked out your gallery, my favorite was img_2495a. Is that Rocky? Did you find out the history of the animals while you were there? AsI was looking at your picture, I could almost hear the Tiger say, well alright, I am going to pose for this one but I am starting to get a little tired of those cameras in my face all the time....

I may also have to go visit the Dallas zoo after looking at those in your gallery.

[CaptainTom]

I have been only once, and plan to return.
Your lens choice is great. Listen to the instructions, because you can
get carried away (no pun intended) with taking photos, and not be aware of a danger (they keep a really close eye on you). You are literally inches from the cats, and that in itself is worth the trip.
I would advise to just shoot everything. The cats like to walk the fence line, so if you are at a corner, you can get them walking toward you.
Flash is up to you. Depends on the light, and your abilities. Tripods or monopods are not practical. Keep the aperture wide and the shutter fast.
Don't carry any turkey necks or beef patties in your pockets.

[Glassman]

Thanks for the advice, did I see somewhere there's a camel there too?

[Erin Kathleen]

And when and where are we supposed to meet? (Sorry to butt in.) Is it still at the Whataburger in McKinney at 6:30? The sun is barely up at 7:30 so I didn't know if the time change changed anything...

[byarger]

You'll have a great time on the shoot. I've been twice now. I shoot Raw+Large JPG with my 20D and have ended up filling up almost 4 2GB CF cards with pictures. You literally can shoot everything. The first time out I used my 70-200mm f4L exclusively and found that to be just right for about 80% of the shots. When the cats were chasing the basketballs we brought and at a few other times I was wishing I had brought a wider lens into the enclosure because they can run in and out of the frame quickly with any zoom on the 70-200. So my second trip I used my 28-135 IS lens most of the time and ended up with better coverage in many instances. Several others at the sessions went longer with zooms and primes up to 500mm, but the 70-200's were heavily represented.

I used flash (my 420EX) a lot in the first hour or so for fill, but I might look to getting a faster (quicker recycle time) flash for future trips. I had a number of sequences with one flash picture and the next two without it. The light was very good both of my times out, and the growth both inside and around the enclosures should be thinning out now which will allow for a brighter environment.

The cats, particularly Rocky, will pose close to the fence and can be disarming (both figuratively and, if you get too close, literally). There are a lot of close-ups, mostly with Rocky, but a longer zoom comes in handy with the others.

I am by no means an expert on shooting them and others on this forum have been there many more times than me, so be ready to try different things. You will have plenty of time with them.

Also, there is a camel. Gizmo is his name. He is friendly and enjoys attention. Although he won't give you the kinds of stunning images a tiger in a natural setting will, he is worth spending some time with.

Good luck.

[CaptainTom]

Keep an eye on the tiger shoot thread at the top of Dallas/fw page for updates.

Meetup Location and Directions
Shooting time will be at 7:30 am . we will meet for breakfast at the Whataburger in Mckinny Tx . Take exit 40A off of 75 north. Try to be there at 6:30 am

[Glassman]

Does anyone have a picture of the camel? It looks like he does not receive much attention? LOL

Captain Tom, do they like those Krispy Kremes

[CaptainTom]

Camel ? I din't see no stinkin camel !!!
The Krispy Kremes were all gone by this time.

[byarger]

Here are a few of the pictures from my first visit to the tigers. As requested, there are a couple of Gizmo the camel.

[snidow]

Originally Posted by Glassman

Laurie,
Thanks for the tip, Rocky will be the first one on my list....I checked out your gallery, my favorite was img_2495a. Is that Rocky? Did you find out the history of the animals while you were there? AsI was looking at your picture, I could almost hear the Tiger say, well alright, I am going to pose for this one but I am starting to get a little tired of those cameras in my face all the time....

I may also have to go visit the Dallas zoo after looking at those in your gallery.

Thanks Billy, I will send you the information concerning the photo as I told you in my PM. The Tigers are Sheba, Pokie, and Rocky and the lion is Sugar but don't let her fool you! Sheba was taken from an exotic dancer, Pokie is the youngest and least trained, Rocky is I think 12 and I am not sure of his back ground. But ask any questions while you are there, they are more then happy to answer and talk with you about the cats. I agree about the WA lens, I will like to use something less then 100mm next time I go.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

My Camel shot


Actually the older dude who is a trainer said that Rocky was 14 or so.

Never Never Never Turn your back on the Tigers unless you are at least 3 feet from the cage, unless you are in the one path between the two cages. The lion is known to reach out through the wires, she is strong too, saw her pick up a bowling ball with her mouth at the last shoot.

You won't forget the experience.
http://www.pbase.com/demdeepellummus...ers_and_camels

[Glassman]

That camel has a face only his mother could love but I am going to take some more pictures of it.....

[snidow]

Glassman, here are the details for the photo you asked about:
Equipment
Canon 10D
100-400MML
Settings
ISO 400
f5.6
1/250
at 150mm