My Latest Ft Worth Zoo Visit

[GUER03]

Had a day off and decided to go back to the FTW zoo to try out the new 70-200mm 2.8. I wasn't really happy with the amount of shots I liked as I took close to 200 and only liked these. And one of them was pushing it. Either way here they are. Hope you like and C&C is always welcome.

"Thus Quoth The Raven...................."












This is Abby, what a beautiful cat.






This was my favorite shot but it didn't come out as sharp. I was so frustrated that this one didn't turn out.

[brad]

Looks more like a grackle than a raven in the first one, but good photos all around. I like seeing shots of the less popular animals... everyone always concentrates on the dramatic animals... instead of taking the challenge to make the zebras and giraffe and antelopes beautiful.

[GUER03]

It is, I just thought I'd throw that in since I love E.A.P.. You know I love the patterened animals the most so I HAVE TO shoot the zebras, giraffes, Leopards and anything else with patterns. Thanx again.

Albert

[CaptainTom]

What is it that you are not happy about ? Did the ones you don't like have a consistent problem ? The lens looks like it is working properly. If there are some specific shots you'd like us to comment on, don't be afraid to post them. We've all asked for help.

[GUER03]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

What is it that you are not happy about ? Did the ones you don't like have a consistent problem ? The lens looks like it is working properly. If there are some specific shots you'd like us to comment on, don't be afraid to post them. We've all asked for help.

Well I had a lot of blur with my other shots. Now I shot in f/2.8 the whole time and my other zoo trips I shot in f/5.6 and I got better results with those. Is f/5.6 better for zoo shots?

I'm new to this so I'm not sure when to use f/2.8, f/5.6 and others.

[Huck]

When you shoot with a lower F Stop, you get the blur (Depth of Field aka DOF)

Love the shots. I would be happy with em.

[ahightower]

On a bright sunny day, you could stop down and get a wider depth of field, which would forgive the missed focus on that last shot. But on the ones that did focus properly, I like the widest aperture for a narrow depth of field and a nice blurry background. At any rate, I really like all of these, especially the giraffe. Like Brad said, you did a great job of making very appealing photos of the less "exciting" animals. Everyone likes a tiger or lion. Your giraffe and zebra shots are really nice, great contrast and sharpness, and unique poses.

[XJBaylor]

Originally Posted by GUER03

Well I had a lot of blur with my other shots. Now I shot in f/2.8 the whole time and my other zoo trips I shot in f/5.6 and I got better results with those. Is f/5.6 better for zoo shots?

I'm new to this so I'm not sure when to use f/2.8, f/5.6 and others.

Did you get better results shooting at 5.6, or did you get more good results?

Shooting wide open takes much more skill, practice and patience. With such a narrow in focus area, your chances of a missed shot are much higher, but the reward is greater as well.

You did a great job on the keepers that you did get, congratulations!

Keith

[GUER03]

Originally Posted by ahightower

On a bright sunny day, you could stop down and get a wider depth of field, which would forgive the missed focus on that last shot. But on the ones that did focus properly, I like the widest aperture for a narrow depth of field and a nice blurry background. At any rate, I really like all of these, especially the giraffe. Like Brad said, you did a great job of making very appealing photos of the less "exciting" animals. Everyone likes a tiger or lion. Your giraffe and zebra shots are really nice, great contrast and sharpness, and unique poses.

Thank you. I am new to using a lens like this. Heck I am new to photography period so I am still trying to learn when to use what. I like a good blurry background as well and I got some good ones shooting at f5.6 and a lot more clearer shots as well. I like these that I posted but only a handful came out like this. A LOT were blurry, or not sharp enough. Even with clean up in PS3.

I love the patterened animals the most. When I go shoot I MUST take shots of the animals with patterns, zebras, giraffes, leopards, anything with patterns and colors. Just my taste I guess. Thanx again.

[GUER03]

Originally Posted by XJBaylor

Did you get better results shooting at 5.6, or did you get more good results?

Shooting wide open takes much more skill, practice and patience. With such a narrow in focus area, your chances of a missed shot are much higher, but the reward is greater as well.

You did a great job on the keepers that you did get, congratulations!

Keith

Hey Keith, I got more good results shooting at 5.6. Maybe I'm just needing more practice shooting in 2.8? It was all handheld so no tripod was used. Thank you for the comments and advice. I will post a couple more of those animals from past zoo visits I think came out much better.

Albert

[GUER03]

I just posted a new thread with some other shots if ya'll are interested. Thank you for looking.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...978#post562978

Albert

[shutterhappy]

Nice shots.

[ndsimm]

what lens did you shoot these with? 200 or 300 or larger??? I love the detail and the closeups!!

[toverman]

I love the photos. It's amazing what a lens like the 70-200 f 2.8 can do to help you create sharp and yet buttery shots. I'd say keep practicing with the lens wide open at times because it will make you think more carefully about the shots.

Which is what most of us did when we had to roll our own film, process and print it (on a deadline, not to mention).

[edwarda]

The photos you display look great io me. When I'm using my 2.8 I allways use the center point to focus. If you use multiple focus points you sometimes get a branch, leaf or pole right by the aminal which mess with your narrow DOF.

Also, most of cameras shoot so clean now bump up the iso to 400 to up your shutter speed if your having motion blur problems.

Just my 2 cents.
Ed