Photo sharing: Zoos

[tink2020]

So, I'm always overwhelmed to post pictures around here because I'm VERY much an amateur. But I got a new camera yesterday, and I'm pretty happy with it so I thought I'd share some of the pictures I took today.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/38-flowers-purpleandyellow.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/39-flowers-pinkandwhite.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/40-flowers-pinkcloseup.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/42-flowers-various.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/49-flowers-purple.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/57-elephants.jpg

[tink2020]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/60-flowers-redandyellowlindner.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/62-variousbright.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/63-flowers-various.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/64-flowersandtree.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/66-flowers-pink.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/69-eagle.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/70-eagle.jpg

[tink2020]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/72-flowers-various.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/77-jomoeatingeasterbasket.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/78-jomo.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/85-flowers-whiteandyellow.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/86-flowers-yellowcloseup.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/88-flowers-yellow.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/92-rhinocloseup.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/97-lioncloseup.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/99-flowers-purpleandwhite.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/100-seal.jpg

[Yellow_Stitch]

Beuatiful photos! The second of your first post is especially nice.

[tink2020]

Thanks for letting me share! :blush:

[Dan Murphy]

VERY nice. I like some of the perspectives there too. And so colorful, looks like a botanical garden. :thumbsup2

[buckylarue]

Who'd have ever thought that those animals could plant and tend such beautiful gardens?? :teeth:

Seriously, great pics, very colorful and interesting. I like the gorilla with the basket!

[penny04]

I think all your photo's are lovely....I love looking at everyones photo's!!!!

[sk8belle]

I LOVE the second one in your second post (purple tulips in the foreground). Gorgeous color there.

[manning]

Who'd have ever thought that those animals could plant and tend such beautiful gardens?? :teeth:

Seriously, great pics, very colorful and interesting. I like the gorilla with the basket!


The secret is in the use of fertilizer. :rolleyes1

Great shots!!

[LMarge]

Tink,
we were at the zoo on Tuesday - absolutely breath taking!! All those tulips - I'll have to load up a couple to share - and did you know the big gorilla died on April 11? He had a heartattack while undergoing a root canal! :guilty: poor thing. :Your pics are great - the colors and DOF are nice! Good work on a beautiful day!!! :thumbsup2

[Olaf]

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

I'm taking my new camera to the National Zoo next week. Hope I can get a shot of the baby Panda.

[tink2020]

Tink,
we were at the zoo on Tuesday - absolutely breath taking!! All those tulips - I'll have to load up a couple to share - and did you know the big gorilla died on April 11? He had a heartattack while undergoing a root canal! :guilty: poor thing. :Your pics are great - the colors and DOF are nice! Good work on a beautiful day!!! :thumbsup2

I did hear that! Did you see the signs for him?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/79-colossussign.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/80-colossussign.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/83-colossussign.jpg

He was my favorite! We actually were just there about 2 days before he died when his group was out.

I'd love to see your pictures! Zoo Blooms is one of our favorite times... we go at least twice during that time, and zoo babies is next! :blush: Are you in Cincinnati, or just stopped in for a visit?

[tink2020]

Thanks everyone for the comments! I'm glad you are enjoying the pictures.... the flowers are SO beautiful, so I had an easy subject :blush:

[LMarge]

I'd love to see your pictures! Zoo Blooms is one of our favorite times... we go at least twice during that time, and zoo babies is next! :blush: Are you in Cincinnati, or just stopped in for a visit?[/QUOTE]


Tink - sorry for the delayed reply!! The week of our visit, we were out for Spring break - the kids that is! - and what an insane week it was - we were at the zoo on the Tuesday after Easter (18th?) It was a beautiful day, clear cool and not crowded!!! We live here in the cinci area - ****ord to be exact. We relocated here about 7 years ago, my dh is a pilot for Fed EX and at the time was working for Airborne Express (now DHL) -- switched companies in 2000 and we just decided to stay, love the area and the comute to Memphis isn't too bad!LOL The zoo is one of our favorite outings, I just renewed our annual membership and plan on really giving it a workout over the summer break! I will try to get my pictures posted tonight - I have to do these things when the kids are not around, otherwise they all want to see what I'm doing!!! Take care and it's great to see a Cinci gal on the DIS!!! :sunny:

[LMarge]

OK - here goes - I've been playing with this camera since November but am just now getting to use some of the assorted settings. A few of these are on macro, most are just super zoomed, and nothing has been done but cropping - no auto correct, etc. Let me know what you think!! I need good critical feedback - but don't be nasty!!! ;)


I just love tulips, they are my very favorite flower - the red/orange ones were so beautiful in person!



http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1820.jpg






http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1798c.jpg



http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/6037d3c4.jpg

[LMarge]

Here's some more - thank's for looking! I'm not sure how many you can put in one post? And I don't want to hijack the thread!!! :sunny:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1841c.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/70368c14.jpg


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/edd0295e.jpg


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1786.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1785c2.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1781c.jpg



That's it for my flowers!!! Next is the animals!!!LOL

[LBAK]

I love your pics. Especially the 2nd in the first post and the 2nd in the second post. Nice job!

[LMarge]

I love your pics. Especially the 2nd in the first post and the 2nd in the second post. Nice job!


Thank you!! I love the second one in the 2nd post as well - it's one of my favorites - it's also one of my kids favorite areas - as the ice cream stand is close by!!! :thumbsup2

[LMarge]

Here are a few animal shots - kids included! - the one of the snake was taken thru the glass - I HATE snakes, but my ds wanted me to take his picture since "he is looking right at us!" If his tongue had popped out I probably would have passed out!!! :rotfl2: ll in all, it's a pretty cool shot if your a 7yo boy!!

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1815c.jpg



This one was for my hubby - he's a hunting fanatic and was drooling over this turkey!!! This guy was strutting around fluffing himself all out and the gals were totally ignoring him, much like our house!!! :rotfl2:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1780c.jpg


Tink - I think this sea-lion is stuck on that rock!! Everytime I've been to the Cinci zoo he's on there! My kids loved him, he just sat there blowing bubbles out his nose for the longest time!

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1772c.jpg

This bird and the monkey after it were taken in the dark, with no flash, thru glass - any tips?
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1764.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1763.jpg


This was my ds2yo's favorite guy - he kept saying "come here kitty baby" over and over!!!LOL "Kitty Baby" is the name of his favorite stuffed animal, next to his Pooh Bear that never leaves his side!
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1755c.jpg



Thanks for looking!! I have more, but I won't hog the thread!!! :sunny:
Marge

[tink2020]

Tink - sorry for the delayed reply!! The week of our visit, we were out for Spring break - the kids that is! - and what an insane week it was - we were at the zoo on the Tuesday after Easter (18th?) It was a beautiful day, clear cool and not crowded!!! We live here in the cinci area - ****ord to be exact. We relocated here about 7 years ago, my dh is a pilot for Fed EX and at the time was working for Airborne Express (now DHL) -- switched companies in 2000 and we just decided to stay, love the area and the comute to Memphis isn't too bad!LOL The zoo is one of our favorite outings, I just renewed our annual membership and plan on really giving it a workout over the summer break! I will try to get my pictures posted tonight - I have to do these things when the kids are not around, otherwise they all want to see what I'm doing!!! Take care and it's great to see a Cinci gal on the DIS!!! :sunny:

Great! We also have a pass, and get plenty of use out of it!! I'd love to see your pictures!

[tink2020]

Tink - I think this sea-lion is stuck on that rock!! Everytime I've been to the Cinci zoo he's on there! My kids loved him, he just sat there blowing bubbles out his nose for the longest time!


Your pictures are great! I think he does enjoy that rock, that's for sure! I've seen him swimming on occasion, but he is often parked right there! :rotfl:

[Virgo10]

Only one word came to mind when I was looking at your photos...


MAGNIFICENT!!!

:goodvibes

[LMarge]

Only one word came to mind when I was looking at your photos...


MAGNIFICENT!!!

:goodvibes


Oh my gosh, thank you!!! I do believe I'm blushing!!! :blush: As Tink said in an earlier post,it was an easy subject - the flowers don't move, my toddler never stops!!! :rotfl: Now if I could just get him to cooperate so I could at least document that we have a 3rd child!!!

Just a quick question also, my dd really liked the flower shots and was wanting a few for her bedroom walls - any ideas which would enlarge the best - I've never enlarged anything over an 8x10 and that was from film - so for digital I'm not to sure! Suggestions anyone!?

[pyrxtc]

Lmarge. Some of your flower images could/would be of great use to some portrait photographers (like me) who could see a baby sitting/laying in a few of them. LOL!

[LMarge]

Lmarge. Some of your flower images could/would be of great use to some portrait photographers (like me) who could see a baby sitting/laying in a few of them. LOL!


That sounds very cool, how would one go about doing that?! would it be a superimposed thing? sorry, I'm not very photoediting savy!!! :rolleyes2 now that I'm figuring out my camera the next step is my new software PSE3!!

[pyrxtc]

Jennifer (Tink2020) was nice enough to let me play with one of her images. She also said it was okay to post what I had done so here it is. I did two different things.

the more natural looking one......
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/pyrxtc/97___lion_closeupcopy.jpg

and the really WOW one..........
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/pyrxtc/97___lion_closeupcopyDramatic.jpg

the original for easier comparison....
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/tink2020/Misc%20April%2014-15/97-lioncloseup.jpg

[tink2020]

Jennifer (Tink2020) was nice enough to let me play with one of her images. She also said it was okay to post what I had done so here it is. I did two different things.

the more natural looking one......
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/pyrxtc/97___lion_closeupcopy.jpg

and the really WOW one..........
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/pyrxtc/97___lion_closeupcopyDramatic.jpg

That looks pretty neat! Did you add color to the coat (with the hue settings, not like color it :p )at all or just change the saturation? He looks more like a regular colored lion now intead of how light these really are... Still pretty impressive looking though! I like the second one a lot!

[pyrxtc]

tink, on the firts one I adjusted the contrast, saturation and dodged the eyes (as can be seen). I also lightened the teeth to make them really stand out. When i played wiht the saturation, i bumped it up overall then played wiht the individual colors to get it to look just right. On the second, I knew I wanted it to look over the top. As I said via e-mail, I was hoping you had a bigger file so that I could give you a version that would make a good 8x10 instead of just 4X6 version. Oh yeah, on both I added water in cuz I thought it would look better then the wood planks that were there.

Lmarge, yes it would be superimposed but if you don't mind, I'll show you what I mean?

[pyrxtc]

LMarge, here is a very rough version of what I would be talking about.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/pyrxtc/babyintuliprough.jpg

[manning]

LMarge, here is a very rough version of what I would be talking about.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/pyrxtc/babyintuliprough.jpg

Can't get a closer look at it, but you may want to feather the edges around tne child.

[LMarge]

LMarge, here is a very rough version of what I would be talking about.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a125/pyrxtc/babyintuliprough.jpg


knowing that that is a rough version I think it's a cute idea - a little naked baby in there would be really cute!!! (chest up shot!) Anne Geddes (sp?) sort of stuff (love her!) I can see where that would work - funny you used that picture - that was the one I was going to blow up and put the word "Aspire" in script across the bottom corner for my daughters room! :thumbsup2

[makinorlando]

Beautiful photos. I love the tulips.


You did a wonderful job!
.

[LMarge]

Beautiful photos. I love the tulips.


You did a wonderful job!
.


Thank you Mankinorlando!! I'm an admirer of your pictures as well - I was just checking out the picture of the day site - nice work!! You have the S2Is as well, if I remember correctly. Just love this camera - I need to practice on some of the manual settings a bit more! But the av/tv modes are just terrific! I hardly ever use the flash - which my kids love because they always have flash back, even with redeye reduction! Thanks again for the compliment!

[makinorlando]

Thank you Mankinorlando!! I'm an admirer of your pictures as well - I was just checking out the picture of the day site - nice work!! You have the S2Is as well, if I remember correctly. Just love this camera - I need to practice on some of the manual settings a bit more! But the av/tv modes are just terrific! I hardly ever use the flash - which my kids love because they always have flash back, even with redeye reduction! Thanks again for the compliment!

Thanks to you as well. Yes I have the S2 also. I do love it. I haven't really even ventured to av/tv modes. DD and I are going to EPCOT tomorrow evening, she has to do a 'culture box' on Mexico (I think they chose all the countries at EPCOT....) - so I want to go pick some things up in the gift shop and see if she can talk to a CM from Mexico. I will try some more night time photos.

Anyway, it's really given me something to focus on the past couple months... I needed an "outlet" (aka "get a hobby") as I always seemed to be working or taking care of the house/kid/animals!

[Golf4food]

Any advice, tricks, or tips for how to get good pictures at zoos and aquariums where you have glass or plastic between you and the subject? What about chain link fences? :teacher:

[Kelly Grannell]

1. don't use flash
2. do use polarizer
3. I'm too lazy to use polarizer so I just put the lens right to the glass
4. set ISO accordingly

WRT chain-link/fence, position your lens as close as possible to the fence so your camera won't focus on the fence but to the subject instead. In most cases the chain link will be so out of focus it's hardly be seen.

[Golf4food]

Could you possibly recommend a good polarizer for the Sigma 18-125mm lens? I do remember that it is 62mm :thumbsup2 I'm learning! haha :cool1:

Ironically, possibly the best photo I ever took was into a dark aquarium chamber and I had the flash turned on, but the image is perfect, the seaturtle (my subject) is perfect, and everything except the turtle is black. I couldn't have staged it better, and it was dumb luck. :)

[Kelly Grannell]

any circular polarizer for that purpose will be okay. I personally prefer Hoya for its good value. B+W is better but it's too costly for my pocket.

Here's an example of a pic I took for Markham Gallery of Arts brochure. The Soapstone Bear is in a plexiglass box and I took the picture from the corner

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f159/landakmedia/Catalog%20and%20Brochure%20Shots/13d6b148.jpg

Camera model: Canon EOS 30D
Flash used: No
Focal length: 33.0mm
Exposure time: 1/40 sec - Handheld
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO equiv.: 400
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

[MICKEY88]

if you do use flash shoot on an angle so the flash doesn't bounce back into the lens...

to eliminate fence use wide open aperture creating shallow depth of field, focus on subject and unless it's right up against the fence the fence should disappear..

shot thru a fence...http://images12.fotki.com/v212/photos/8/86568/2546108/PICT0030-vi.jpg

http://images6.fotki.com/v82/photos/8/86568/1177706/Eagles200435-vi.jpg

[spoon2003]

Can you explain using the polarizer inside to a newbie? :confused3 I thought polarizer is for bright sunny outdoor?

Thanks

Sue

[MICKEY88]

Can you explain using the polarizer inside to a newbie? :confused3 I thought polarizer is for bright sunny outdoor?

Thanks

Sue
polarizer also reduces or eliminates glare on glass

[Kelly Grannell]

you use it just like you use it for outdoors. It'll cut glare/reflection quite a lot.

[DebºoºS]

...................
3. I'm too lazy to use polarizer so I just put the lens right to the glass
..................

I do the same thing :rotfl: but I really am lazy. You are not lazy! Didn't you memorize the music to Illuminations to time the fireworks sequence?
Absolutely brilliant :thumbsup2

[Kelly Grannell]

Didn't you memorize the music to Illuminations to time the fireworks sequence?
Absolutely brilliant :thumbsup2

Not Illuminations but Wishes. Regardless, that's not a proof of non-laziness, that's proof of craziness :rotfl:

[MICKEY88]

Not Illuminations but Wishes. Regardless, that's not a proof of non-laziness, that's proof of craziness :rotfl:

the first step in getting help, is admitting you have a problem...LOL :thumbsup2

[makinorlando]

the first step in getting help, is admitting you have a problem...LOL :thumbsup2

Let us not forget that she LAID on the GROUND to take a picture of the castle! (Sorry OT, but I couldn't resist!!!!):tilt:

[jann1033]

Let us not forget that she LAID on the GROUND to take a picture of the castle! (Sorry OT, but I couldn't resist!!!!):tilt:

that's called dedication :) unless there is a "brazilain tour group" around ( if you ever read the shocking thread on the attractions board about what they have been known to deposit on the ground) then it would classify as way left of center

another polarizer question...would it cut down on glare from any reflective surface? husband uses glazes in his painting work that shine much more than even semigloss paint and it's hard not to get a glare ( although never thought of the angle either) which washes out the subtle shadings of color.

[Kelly Grannell]

yes, it will reduce most of the glare from any reflective surface.

[PoohJen]

sigh. another day, another tip learned on the photography boards!!! You guys rock!!! :worship: :cheer2: :woohoo: :thanks:

[JR6ooo4]

if you do use flash shoot on an angle so the flash doesn't bounce back into the lens...

to eliminate fence use wide open aperture creating shallow depth of field, focus on subject and unless it's right up against the fence the fence should disappear..

shot thru a fence...http://images12.fotki.com/v212/photos/8/86568/2546108/PICT0030-vi.jpg

http://images6.fotki.com/v82/photos/8/86568/1177706/Eagles200435-vi.jpg

Funny how light waves will bend like that...

Mikeeee

[makinorlando]

I took this at Busch Gardens, Tampa - I put the lens right up against the plexiglass.


http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e291/makasper/Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa/Lions2.jpg

[MICKEY88]

Funny how light waves will bend like that...

Mikeeee


??????

[fitzperry]

No tips to add, but I had to post this after noticing your signature.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e391/fitzperry/DSC_0080_edited-1.jpg

Not the greatest image, but it was taken through glass in a fairly dark viewing area at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. And while we're on the glass subject, I kind of like this one, but the color doesn't look right.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e391/fitzperry/DSC_0044_edited-1.jpg

[Golf4food]

Awesome Penguin picture, Jen. Thanks. All penguins photos are above average merely by the nature of the subject matter. :)

[fitzperry]

Awesome Penguin picture, Jen. Thanks. All penguins photos are above average merely by the nature of the subject matter. :)

Thanks! Those little guys were a riot--jumping on top of each other, falling in the water. We stood there watching them for a good half an hour.

[JR6ooo4]

??????

In my limited knowledge..

I was told early in my surveying career that when you focus past something and it disappears it is actualy the light waves bending around the object.

Otherwise it would still be there. Blurry but still there.

If anyone else has info otherwise, let me know if I am wrong.

Mikeeee

[JR6ooo4]

This has been posted here before but it is shot through the glass at Brookfield Zoo, Chicago.
http://mnmstudios.smugmug.com/photos/54409752-L.jpg
I was actualy holding the camera over my head to move the ceiling light reflections out of the frame.

and this is thru the dirty aquarium glass:
http://mnmstudios.smugmug.com/photos/55307610-L.jpg

I have read that people bring windex wipes to clean a spot on the glass to shoot through.

Mikeeee

[Metallicat]

This was taken hand held through glass with my 100mm canon macro lens.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/lga2461/IMG_1932.jpg

[jann1033]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/jann1033/IMG_0307.jpg

not as much fun as the animals but did help here too! ( yahoo) ( woodgrained with a sealer which is not matte)

[Art Vandelay]

http://static.flickr.com/72/171409470_0bed176331.jpg

I took this at one of the aquariums at Sea World.

[MICKEY88]

In my limited knowledge..

I was told early in my surveying career that when you focus past something and it disappears it is actualy the light waves bending around the object.

Otherwise it would still be there. Blurry but still there.

If anyone else has info otherwise, let me know if I am wrong.

Mikeeee

thanks for the enlightenment, I don't know why it works I just know that it works...LOL

[LMarge]

both of these were taken thru glass - the first was through a plexiglass viewing window, the second was actual glass (thank God!! - HATE snakes!) in the Reptile House at the Cincinnati Zoo.



http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1755c.jpg





http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1815c.jpg

[Katwillow1]

I have a Nikon Coolpix 4600. My son got it for me last fall and I have loved using it every chance I get. My last upload to my computer put me into the 6000's. I love photography....but I am clueless unless it's a point and shoot. However, since getting this camera I am learning a few things.

On this issue of 'putting the lens to the glass'...do you shut off the flash? Do you leave the camera in standard point and shoot mode? I am heading to SW Orlando with my DS (well...he's 24...not so dependent...lol) this weekend and we are really looking forward to the glass viewing areas.

[andromedaslove]

On this issue of 'putting the lens to the glass'...do you shut off the flash? Do you leave the camera in standard point and shoot mode? I am heading to SW Orlando with my DS (well...he's 24...not so dependent...lol) this weekend and we are really looking forward to the glass viewing areas.

I second this ?? I just got my Rebel XT in the mail today!! :cheer2: I am so stoked!! Anyway, I am hoping to get in a quick day trip to Sea World with my boys next week, and would love to take some pics with my new camera while we are there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dana

[Kelly Grannell]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f37/imscrappy2/IMG_1815c.jpg

I usually hate snakes, but this one's expression is just so cute!

[jjpenguin]

Just be careful when putting a camera up to the glass, I did that once and forgot that the lens moves slightly to focus... jammed the lens and that camera was a write off!!

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

This was our first outing with our Kodak C340 so many of our pics were auto. IIRC I simply turned the flash off to take these at Living Seas. I may have even tried resting the camera's side against the aquarium for steadiness as it was barrel shaped, or I set the camera to the Night Time setting. The picture's proprties don't go in to that much detail. It was more luck than anything else. I think it's fortunate that this particular tank is very brightly lit.

The details from the photo of Gill are:
Shutter 1/20 sec
Normal Exposure
Flash did not fire
aperature: f2.70
focal length 34.00mm
ISO 160

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/299gill-med.JPG

The details from the photo of the Clown fish are:
Shutter 1/15 sec
Normal Exposure
Flash did not fire
aperature: f3.40
focal length 53.00mm
ISO 160

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/299clowns-med.JPG

[TwoOldPoohs]

I have read that people bring windex wipes to clean a spot on the glass to shoot through.

Mikeeee

I never would have thought to do that!
Great pix, by the way!

Here's my "through the dirty aquarium glass" photo. Even the water was dirty!
http://www.pbase.com/ilene/image/56866709.jpg

These two were taken with my old Olympus C-2100UZ. First, zoomed in:
http://www.pbase.com/ilene/image/17528676/medium.jpg
and now zoomed out - you can see the fence
http://www.pbase.com/ilene/image/17528677/medium.jpg

[hjd0411]

Last week a friend and I visited Australia Zoo - I am lucky enough to live about an hour away. As I know los of you are fans I thought you might like to see some first hand photos! Please excuse the quality - I am new to digital photography and am still learning. My camera is a "cheapie" to do just that! (And I have to do something to fill in all the time before I go to WDW!!!)

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0126.jpg
Injured kookaburra which cannot fly

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0132.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0133.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0134.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0135.jpg
Part of Steve's memorial still at the Zoo. Looking at it gave me shivers down my spine and I could have spent hours reading everything.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0138.jpg

[hjd0411]

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0146.jpg
Beautiful bird at show at Crocoseum

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0148.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0151.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0152.jpg
Monty (Steve's Dad's first croc) at the Crocoseum

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0163.jpg
2 of the 3 elephants - their enclosure is being remodelled so they look like they are out in the open all the time. They sleep elsewhere, apparently!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0166.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0170.jpg
Khan - the tiger....

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0174.jpg
A dingo being taken for a walk outside their enclosure

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k6/hjd0411/100_0176.jpg
Last but not least - a very sleepy koala! (How we felt at the end of the day!!)

Thanks for looking at my phots - I hope you enjoy them. I had fun taking them!

Heather

[wdwmom2]

Those are great pics. If you are just learning, you have a great start! Keep up the good work :thumbsup2

[Jeanne B]

Wow, great pictures!! Thanks for sharing and you might want to attach this link on some of the other boards (budget, community, etc). There are a lot of Steve Irwin fans on the DISboards that I know would love to see these pictures. :)

[hjd0411]

Thanks wdwmom2 and Jeanne B for your comments. I will try to put this on the other boards - not quite sure how, but will investigate!!

Heather

[donaldduck1967]

Those are great pics. Thanks for sharing

[Cinderella2004]

Great pictures!! Thanks for sharing them. The memorial is very touching. It made me tear up just looking at it.

[Metallicat]

Beautifull pictures. Thank you for posting them. :) Linda

[Sparx]

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

[WeirdTigger27]

Thank you for posting these pictures. I had been dreaming of going to see Steve at his zoo someday. I loved him. I hope he is enjoyng the Sui's company up there.

[JR6ooo4]

scrolling through I had forgotten you said it was a cheapo camera. looks good to me!
thanks for sharing. The memorial is touching. the yellow shirt the youngster wore ther and decided to leave....

Mikeeee

[hjd0411]

The memorial is touching. the yellow shirt the youngster wore ther and decided to leave....

Mikeeee


Yes, that bit made me tear up! There are so mny others like it, too.
Glad you liked the photos, and thanks for your comments.

Heather

[bride03]

It looks so great there, better than on TV. That must have just been surreal. When Steve died, I was so upset about it like he was family. My husband and I have been fans for a long time. I guess some people you see, even just on TV, have an impact on lives. So sad.

[mla973]

Thanks for sharing the photos. I think you did a great job!

[Glendamax]

Hey, I saw the link to this thread in your siggie! The memorial to Steve is really touching, and the rest the pics are really great. Thanks for sharing!:goodvibes

[Gdad]

Very cool- thanks for sharing those. :thumbsup2

[KimAshton]

wow beautiful pictures. :)

[NMAmy]

Great pictures, Heather. The memorial choked me up a bit. I'm glad you had the link in your siggie--I never make it over here to the Photography Board.

[kathykip]

Those are terrific photos!

I was looking at the one of Monty and the size of that croc is just amazing! :scared:

Thanks for sharing!

[DAISY DUCK FAN!]

Thanks for the photos. They're wonderful.

[nettii]

Thank you for the great photos and letting us share your experience at Aus. Zoo- I still cant belive hes gone! Its so sad thanks again!:guilty:

[WDW Poly Princess]

The memorial pics brought tears to my eyes! So cool that you got to go! Thanks for sharing the photos

[Emmo]

Great Pics and the memorial look very impressive, I'm sure Steve would be thrilled to see he touched so many people, and they are only the ones who got to the Zoo, there are many around the world who will never forget him or the work he has done and his zoo continue to do!

[Corey10112]

Excellent pictures. I loved the memorial shots as well. It's quite touching.

[ktulu]

I missed the animal contest, but still had a great time at the Fort Worth Zoo, and I think I got some decent pics with my beloved (:laughing:) 75-300mm, although I started off with my 50mm f/1.8.

Here are a few of my favorites (reduced the size for the web):

Bird!
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_1992.jpg

My wife thought this was a cool pic, I like the look on this Roo's face.
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2020.jpg

Most animals won't smile for the camera...
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2048.jpg

Most are sleepy...
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2061.jpg

http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2087.jpg

http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2089.jpg

Some are very rude!
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2099.jpg

He was yelling at a stupid guest...
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2166.jpg

...then he saw I was taking his picture...
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2186.jpg

...and posed with his good side.
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2210.jpg

It is all about the eyes.
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2283.jpg

They even let us take a little monkey around with us!
http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/albums/2007/mar/ftw-zoo/IMG_2015.jpg

Sorry for the long thread, you can see more of the pics I uploaded here:

http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=40

Thanks for letting me share!

[dturner]

Nice photos - thanks for sharing.

I was there around the first week in March. I love the Ft. Worth Zoo.

Here is my favorite that I took with my Canon Rebel XT - 75-300MM lens:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/dturnerpgmipl/Tre-Birthday2007101.jpg

I like this one too:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/dturnerpgmipl/Tre-Birthday20071442.jpg

These picture were NOT cropped or photoshopped but straight from the camera - I love my new camera.

[JR6ooo4]

Cute pics. That looks like one happy turtle.

Mikeeee

[ktulu]

dturner, nice pics! I didn't get a chance to shoot the red parrot :/

Thanks for the comments Mikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[photo_chick]

OK. Now I have to get busy and get my negatives scanned from the Fort Worth Zoo. We are in Grand Prairie and switched to going to the Dallas Zoo a few years ago becasue of the cost. (I know, being a Fort Worth native that makes me a traitor)

Here is one of the only digital shots I have from the zoo, from 2003... Back when I still shot mostly film.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/the_real_photo_chick/DSCF0058.jpg

[ktulu]

I haven't been to the Dallas Zoo in a while. I live in Lewisville, and I'd much rather go to the Fort Worth Zoo. Dallas Zoo was not that great, but it has been years. I guess we could visit and give it a 2nd chance.

[photo_chick]

I'd rather go to FW as well, but since they changed their annual pass prices it is just too much.

Dallas has added a lot of new things the past few years. There is a nice "creek" in the Lacerte Childrens Zoo where the kids can wade on hot days. And they also still have a goat yard you can actually go into, something that lawers are making disappear fast from zoos.

[KimAshton]

Wow these are amazing.

[eugeniuss]

Wow, lots of D/FW Disney and photo freaks here...

[Sir Bouncealot]

The picture of the gorilla is AMAZING! Great set of pics!

[ktulu]

Thanks! I wasn't sure how these would come out, me and my 75-300mm don't get along usually :)

[tadamom]

Great pics!!!

[Shifletjl]

Thanks for sharing your zoo pictures! We are visiting San Diego this summer and I am looking for tips on zoo photography. Any you would like to share? Thanks

[ktulu]

Thanks for sharing your zoo pictures! We are visiting San Diego this summer and I am looking for tips on zoo photography. Any you would like to share? Thanks

Tripod and patience :) Animals are like kids, they won't hold the pose long enough to compose the shot so you have to be ready and they certainly don't listen to you! Also watch out for obstacles like branches, weeds etc. that might get in front of your subject. Depending on where that obstacle is, it can either enhance or ruin the shot.

[jann1033]

Thanks for sharing your zoo pictures! We are visiting San Diego this summer and I am looking for tips on zoo photography. Any you would like to share? Thanks

one thing i noticed is some zoo's newer exhibits are behind glass...nice to view, not as easy to photograph..this trip i'm taking my circular polarizer to see if that helps but imo glass makes it much more difficult since at least at our zoos the glass is scratched and dirty. at least with fences, bars you could get close and hope they disappear. with the glass you can get close but that doesn't help with dirt and giant scratches. last trip i couldn't get some snow leopards at all due to the sun glare on the glass( and hadn't gotten a cp for my 70-200 lens yet.) i'll see how it goes this time with cp although this zoo (cleveland vs akron) doesn't have as many only glass enclosures. don't know about san diego's set up but you might want a cp before you go.
also i'd take a lens with as large an aperture as you can so you can get a fast shutter speed to freeze the action on some of the less lazy animals...ie a swinging monkey doesn't wait for anyone to take his photo ;)
ie this hyper "some kind of primate who needed a facial hair trim" who literally paused for about a second at the akron zoo
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/jann1033/20070309061copy.jpg
and if you can use a continuous/burst mode it helps since they don't always cooperate and look at the camera. that way you can take a number of rapid shots and maybe get one where they are at least partially facing you
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/jann1033/20070309124copy.jpg

[ktulu]

I don't have a cp for my 50mm, I think I have one for the 75-300mm, but I didn't shoot through glass with that, just the 50.

I was at the SD Zoo last year, and I don't recall much glass at all. The Polar Bears have glass, but there is also a building/cover of some sort that was helpful. I believe the bulk of the animals are open. I would recommend a lens hood, something I thought I had, my wife ordered the wrong one :(

[Shifletjl]

Thanks for the tips everyone!

[woody64]

Here are some pics from our trip last week. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_6945Walt_Mickey.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_6956Walt.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7328DCnight2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7312Grizshack.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7129Fireworks.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7209Castle_Matterhorn.jpg

I will add more later from Legoland and San Diego including whale watching.

[hjd0411]

Woody, they look great! I love all the colourful flowers, and the fireworks, and the California Screamin' roller coaster! Good work, and thanks for sharing.

Heather

[Caitsmama]

They're great!! TFS!

[Jeanne B]

Oooh, can't wait, eleven more weeks until our first trip to Southern Cal!! :banana: Thanks for posting, I love the bright colors in the first two pics.:thumbsup2

[dcg0317]

Beautiful shots, very colorful. Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup2

[sk8belle]

Great night shots. I really liked the one of the ferris wheel and California Screamin' coaster.

[DisneyGirl4188]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7328DCnight2.jpg




They are all great, but this is my favorite.

[woody64]

Thanks everybody. The nightime DCA pic is one of my favorites and it is a neat effect with the ferris wheel turning during the exposure. I thought it would ruin the shot but made it look better IMO.

Here are some from Legoland in Carlsbad.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7414Eiffel.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7415MtRushmore.jpg Notice Washington's ear being cleaned!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7426Washington.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7428capital.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7434vegas.jpg
Las Vegas was officially opening the day after we were there and they were working very hard finishing everything up

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7475Legoskull.jpg

Thanks for looking and next up will be San Diego including whale watching and the Zoo. I am also looking for any pointers as some these pics have been cropped but none of them have any other adjustments.

[woody64]

Last update from trip. San Diego & whale watching.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7579wsdolphin2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7600bottle2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7638gull.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7618side.jpg

USS Nimitz-deployed Monday for 6 months in Persian Gulf
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7665Nimitz.jpg

Zoo
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7705koala1.jpg

Komodo Dragon
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7770drag2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7783liz.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/bgidlow/California/IMG_7787flamingo.jpg

Thanks for looking.

[Shifletjl]

Thanks for adding the San Diego pictures. We will be there this June. If you will, which lenses did you take to the zoo? Great pictures!

[DVC Jen]

Great shots!

We lived in Southern Cali for 8 years (3 years just blocks from Disneyland). This thread is making me miss it. We have to go back.

[Amy]

Love your pictures Woody! I can't decide which one is my favorite. What kind of camera do you have?

[Jeanne B]

Thanks for posting more pictures, those are great shots!! I'm really looking forward to going to the San Diego zoo during our trip in June, we'll only be in Irvine for 3 days before flying on to Arizona but we're planning on using one of those 3 days to drive down to San Diego for the day to visit the zoo. My sister, who has now lived in Irvine for almost 2 years, hasn't been there yet :eek: so she wants to come with us.

[KarenB]

Your pictures are great! We will be there in June. What company did you do the whale watch through?

Karen

[Jeanne B]

Looks like there's a few of us heading to Southern Cal in June!!:thumbsup2

[mickeyfan2]

Wonderful photos. I love the flowering tree in the background of the statue photo.

[woody64]

Thanks everyone! I took these shots with the original Digital Rebel. The zoo and whale watching pics were with the Canon EF 70-200 f2.8L. I absolutely love this lense and find it well worth the money I spent on it.

As far as the whale watching, we bought the GoSanDiego card. It includes the Zoo, Legoland, Wild Animal Park and the whale watching tour. The company was San Diego Harbor Excursions. It was great as they have a staff member from the Birch Aquarium at Scripps on board as well as 2 volunteers from the aquarium. They tell you different facts about the area, all the different naval facilities you pass and all the different sea life you see. Everytime we ran into a pod of dolphins they would point out what type they were(we saw 3 different types) etc. On the way back in after seeing the whales they walked around with samples of what they eat, the barnacles that attach to the grey whales and other interesting things. I would highly recommend them and thought the staff was great. You can find more info on them at www.sdhe.com.

If anyone else has any questions I will try to answer to the best of my ability.

[photo_chick]

I thought I would resurrect this thread since we went to the Dallas Zoo today. DS and I went to get our annual passes for this year and we only had about an hour, so I did not get a lot.

The lion was asleep against the fence so I got a shot we don't normally get to see...
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/the_real_photo_chick/20070411-IMG_8384.jpg

The bald eagle would not stay still for me!
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/the_real_photo_chick/20070411-IMG_8354.jpg

Finally, a cooperative animal..
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/the_real_photo_chick/20070411-IMG_8348.jpg

[ktulu]

The lion was asleep against the fence so I got a shot we don't normally get to see...
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w232/the_real_photo_chick/20070411-IMG_8384.jpg


I love this shot! I wanted to get the same thing at the FTW Zoo, but 300mm only goes so far :/

[photo_chick]

I love this shot! I wanted to get the same thing at the FTW Zoo, but 300mm only goes so far :/

There is no gulley between the lion and you at the Dallas zoo so he was only about 10 feet from me, alseep against the fence. There is however more fence! I need to photoshop out the fence.

[jann1033]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/jann1033/20070302178copy.jpg
this guy looks so dejected but i think he's really protecting his rope from his evil sibling...a penny to anyone who figures out what i did to this in photoshop( want to see how obvious it is) beyond the normal stuff like sharpening or something i mean
another type of sleeping feline ...this one is behind glass though
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/jann1033/DPP_0078copy.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/jann1033/200703090661copy.jpg

[photo_chick]

this guy looks so dejected but i think he's really protecting his rope from his evil sibling...a penny to anyone who figures out what i did to this in photoshop( want to see how obvious it is) beyond the normal stuff like sharpening or something i mean
another type of sleeping feline ...this one is behind glass though

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/jann1033/DPP_0078copy.jpg


Did you apply a blur to the closer paw?

Nevermind. I read what you worte, and now I am more confused!

Wait... are they two different lions paws? They look different, and the front one looks a little odd to me.

[photo_chick]

Ok. I stepped away. Is one a lion's paw and one a tigers paw? Something about the front one looks like it was blurred or added in, it just looks different in lighting and focus than the rest of the image.

Am I way off?

[jann1033]

sorry i added the tiger paw and head after i said the thing about the monkey/photoshp...nothing like me confusing the issue:lmao: the photoshop thing is the monkey ...any deviation in the other 2 is just bad cameramanship:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: the paws must just be how he was laying cause they are just how i took them, both are tigers and belong to the same enormous guy

[photo_chick]

sorry i added the tiger paw and head after i said the thing about the monkey/photoshp...nothing like me confusing the issue:lmao: the photoshop thing is the monkey ...any deviation in the other 2 is just bad cameramanship:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: the paws must just be how he was laying cause they are just how i took them, both are tigers and belong to the same enormous guy

I was looking really hard at that paw! I though that was the one you were talking about!

What did you do to the other one?

Oh and I am VERY easily confused, so stop that! :rotfl2:

[jann1033]

the monkey had very faint catch lights and i "embellished" them but then of course all i could see was giant glaring catch lights but wasn't sure if it was that glaring to everyone else

so i guess i get to keep my penny and add it to my lens fund;)

[YEKCIM]

Had a little spare time today, so loaded up my D50 + 70-300VR for a little "Animal Kingdom Prep" at the Birmingham Zoo, before heading to Orlando in July. Here are some of the results:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20May%202007/DSC_0839.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20May%202007/DSC_0877.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20May%202007/DSC_0902.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20May%202007/DSC_0928.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20May%202007/DSC_0965.jpg

All shots at ISO 400 and wide open or nearly so.

~YEKCIM

[wkrider]

Nice pics...the first two are beautiful.:thumbsup2

[Dan Murphy]

Beautiful pictures. What great detail and colors. Thanks.

[Gdad]

Very nice Ed! I really love that first one. :thumbsup2

Any more?

[Steve's Girl]

Great job! Good that you're getting acquainted with stroller parking - you'll see plenty of that at the World.

[cryssi]

DAGNABIT!

You had me moving towards that 18-135, and now this?? Great pics! I really love the color on the first one. Can't wait to see your AK shots come July...

[YEKCIM]

DAGNABIT!

You had me moving towards that 18-135, and now this?? Great pics! I really love the color on the first one. Can't wait to see your AK shots come July...

Well, you really do need *both*, you know! I agree on the colors, but can't take credit for that. The Creator used His brightest colors when He made Lorikeets, don't you think?

I'll have to say that the bored (yawning) giraffe is my favorite, though...

~YEKCIM

[hjd0411]

I love those lorikeets! I have them fly through my yard all the time and they are so fast - it's hard to photograph them!!! I have to wait for the spring flowering native plants to open, and they sit and chatter away all day! In fact there is a tree not far from my house where a whole colony of Rainbow Lorikeets nest, and the noise at dusk is deafening!
Thank you for all your beautiful pictures - I always enjoy seeing your work - an inspiration to a very rank amateur!!

Heather

[YEKCIM]

Any more?

Jeff, here's a couple more:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20May%202007/DSC_0851.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20May%202007/DSC_0903.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20May%202007/DSC_0936.jpg

~Ed

[Shifletjl]

Thanks for sharing your zoo photos. I love that giraffe! What a ham he is. You've reminded me to get to my local zoo to "practice" before we head to San Diego.

[handicap18]

Nicely done Ed.

I'm hoping to get to the zoo in Providence on Monday. The one closest to us is ok, but the one in PVD is really supposed to be good. I'd like to get some good work in with the 70-300mmVR like yourself.

I like your results! Keep up the great work!

[YEKCIM]

DAGNABIT!

You had me moving towards that 18-135, and now this?? Great pics! I really love the color on the first one. Can't wait to see your AK shots come July...

How 'bout the 18-135 paired with the new 55-200VR, which can be had for *half* the 70-300VR's price, online? I just saw a post on dpreview that has some pretty impressive pix from the 55-200VR: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=23292828

~Ed

[jann1033]

nice photos..the dusky lorikeets at our zoo eat nector you can buy there & so are very tame...last trip one was enthralled with cleaning out husband's ear ????? ear mites? maybe he is getting "old man ear hair" and they were building a nest?:lmao: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/jann1033/20070427222copy.jpg

[tinksdad]

Great job!! Love the bird shots!! :thumbsup2

Just a thought/opinion about the 55-200mm. My wife bought that lens and I wouldn't suggest it at all. It's inexpensive, but not worth the money. Save up for something more worthwhile!!

[sk8belle]

I'll have to say that the bored (yawning) giraffe is my favorite, though...

~YEKCIM

I was going to say the same thing. :) The clarity on all the photos is wonderful. Great job.

[jann1033]

i figured the giraffe was just shocked you took his photo when he wasn't ready yet since he smiled so nice in the next one:lmao: the flamingo has great color...ours around here are almost white instead of coral which means as usual i overexpose them 1/2 the time

[YEKCIM]

i figured the giraffe was just shocked you took his photo when he wasn't ready yet since he smiled so nice in the next one:lmao: the flamingo has great color...ours around here are almost white instead of coral which means as usual i overexpose them 1/2 the time

I had the same problem with some white duck-looking critters on my zoo outing. Feathers are completely blown out (photographically speaking, that is...). I probably should have underexposed by a couple stops from what the AE set. Oh, well...live and learn.

~Ed

[Sir Bouncealot]

Great shots...looking forward to seeing your AK shots!

[Groucho]

Wow, very nice work, I particularly like the colors. Are they "natural" or boosted in any way?

We got a zoo membership at our local zoo (which isn't particularly huge or anything) so I'll probably have a ton of zoo pictures by the end of the year... I've done a couple trips so far. Here's a few from my first trip - this are with my very old Vivitar 400mm F5.6 screw-mount lens, which is a pain in the butt to focus (lots of turning the focus ring)... stopped down, it has pretty decent sharpness, but it's heavy (I think these were all done with a monopod) and I think the colors are a little on the bland side (I think that might tie in with that the pics with that lens often end up a tad underexposed, too.) But boy, that 400mm sure gets you up close!

http://www.totalsham.com/pics/main.php/d/8453-2/SPZoo-BaldEagle-1.jpg

http://www.totalsham.com/pics/main.php/d/8455-2/SPZoo-BaldEagle-2.jpg

http://www.totalsham.com/pics/main.php/d/8457-2/SPZoo-Tiger-1.jpg

http://www.totalsham.com/pics/main.php/d/8459-2/SPZoo-WhiteRhino-1.jpg

http://www.totalsham.com/pics/main.php/d/8461-2/SPZoo-Wolf-1.jpg

The last one is definitely a bit under-exposed... I am planning on going through these and doing a little more post-processing before putting them up in my gallery, hopefully I can bring out the colors a little more, too. The ones with my other lenses (mostly the 50-200mm, occasionally the 50mm) are definitely more colorful.

[YEKCIM]

Wow, very nice work, I particularly like the colors. Are they "natural" or boosted in any way?

We got a zoo membership at our local zoo (which isn't particularly huge or anything) so I'll probably have a ton of zoo pictures by the end of the year... I've done a couple trips so far. Here's a few from my first trip - this are with my very old Vivitar 400mm F5.6 screw-mount lens, which is a pain in the butt to focus (lots of turning the focus ring)... stopped down, it has pretty decent sharpness, but it's heavy (I think these were all done with a monopod) and I think the colors are a little on the bland side (I think that might tie in with that the pics with that lens often end up a tad underexposed, too.) But boy, that 400mm sure gets you up close!



The last one is definitely a bit under-exposed... I am planning on going through these and doing a little more post-processing before putting them up in my gallery, hopefully I can bring out the colors a little more, too. The ones with my other lenses (mostly the 50-200mm, occasionally the 50mm) are definitely more colorful.

Colors are natural, I think. I'm still fiddling around with settings in-camera, so it's possible I could have had it on "Vivid", but don't think I did.

BTW, I really like the second photo and took the liberty of trying a small tweak with it. I saved it to my 'puter and just hit the "auto contrast" button in Picasa. It helped quite a bit; you may want to try something like that with whatever PP software you use. Might give them a little more pop.

You're right about the 400mm really reaching out there. That's 600mm on an APS dSLR, and *plenty* of reach!

Good work!

~Ed

[Groucho]

Yeah, I've got mixed feelings on the "auto contrast", "auto levels", etc... they do sometimes help but seem to not just as often. I do need to do something with them though, I have gotten some decent colorful pics with that lens, but it's tough and the color seems really dependent on a stopped-down lens and a fairly long shutter time.

It'll never be a great lens, but it's all I've got for really long-zoom for the moment so I'll have to learn to get the best out of it.

[MicMin]

Wonderful pictures. The colors are so vibrant and clear. Looking forward to seeing your Ak pictures.

[MicMin]

Hi Everyone.
I have some pictures that my husband and I took at the NC Zoo on Saturday if anyone would like to see them.
We were both using Nikon D40s. We had a 18-55 lens on one of the cameras and a 55-200VR on the other.

http://celebrations.smugmug.com/gallery/2882076#154809706

[richard_andmel]

Those are really great photos. You've got some very cooperative animals at your zoo. :)

[boBQuincy]

Good photos!
We have a really nice zoo in a good setting here in NC. Our favorites are the cougars, we have *so* many photos of them. :)

http://www.mindspring.com/~edwardteach/Images/cougar_5287.jpg

[Plannergirl]

We are huge fans of the NC zoo, some where there is a bench with my Rottn' ones name on it as a memorial to her. The NC zoo does some great things and honestly their level of care for the critters is top notch.

Man do I miss living close enough to enjoy it more than once a year

[donaldduck1967]

Nics pics. Maybe next time i'm down in N.C. i'll try and get there

[jann1033]

love number 6:thumbsup2 where is that zoo located? i know NC i mean where in NC;)

[Plannergirl]

The Zoo is in Asheboro www.nczoo.org Its not far off US220 at all (aka I73/I74 when they are done) Very easy to get to from Greensboro area ie I40 and I85

[jann1033]

thanks for the info and link:thumbsup2

[LakeAriel]

These are from a Wild animal Park in the Pocono's, PA


This is George, a nearly 2 year old lion.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/carolab107/henry.jpg



Merlin

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/carolab107/041.jpg

Lilly with my Grandson..they are very bonded.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f390/carolab107/jackandlilly.jpg

[MicMin]

Thanks richard_andmel. The lions seemed to be very interested in the clicking sounds that the cameras made. We were able to get a few lucky shots. :)

Thanks boBQuincy. I agree that it is a very nice zoo in a beautiful location. We like going there in the fall when the leaves are so colorful. We missed the cougar this trip. Your photo is great.

Plannergirl so sorry for the loss of your loved one. That is a beautiful place to have a memorial.

Thanks donaldduck1967. Hope that you will be able to visit the zoo sometime.

Thanks jann1033. The polar bears were really enjoying playing in the water.

I like your pictures LakeAriel. Very cute shot of your grandson.

[TwoOldPoohs]

Hi Everyone.
I have some pictures that my husband and I took at the NC Zoo on Saturday if anyone would like to see them.
We were both using Nikon D40s. We had a 18-55 lens on one of the cameras and a 55-200VR on the other.

http://celebrations.smugmug.com/gallery/2882076#154809706


Great shots! I especially like the lions, particularly #12. :thumbsup2


LakeAriel, we also have a George (and a Gracie) at the Bronx Zoo. :)

[TwoOldPoohs]

Wow, YEKCIM, these are great! Looking forward to seeing more.

[hjd0411]

MicMin - they are beautiful photos. What a fabulous setting for the zoo. Absolutely love the lion photos - they really are looking at the camera aren't they? Thanks for sharing.

Heather :upsidedow

[MicMin]

Thank you TwoOldPoohs. :)

Thank you hjd0411. It is a very pretty setting for a zoo. The lions are usually asleep when we see them so that was a nice change for them to be moving around and looking at the cameras.

[iHEARTflorida]

oh wow love the photos. really liek the polar bears and lions.

i'm a real beginer with cameras, but really interested. are the best cameras the mosts where you can removes the lens and change the over, most just you nomral fit in your pockets cameras, i have a sony cyber shot p200, what kind of camera should i have?

[steery1]

Heres some of my zoo shots from last weekend when DS and I visited Belfast zoo.......................................

http://steery1.smugmug.com/photos/155292633-L.jpg

http://steery1.smugmug.com/photos/155293651-L.jpg

http://steery1.smugmug.com/photos/155292591-L.jpg

[MicMin]

oh wow love the photos. really liek the polar bears and lions.

i'm a real beginer with cameras, but really interested. are the best cameras the mosts where you can removes the lens and change the over, most just you nomral fit in your pockets cameras, i have a sony cyber shot p200, what kind of camera should i have?

Thank you. :)
I really don't have enough experience with the different cameras to be able to make a recommendation. Sorry that I am not able to help with your question.

Nice shots steery1. Thanks for sharing.

[Swimnoid]

Nice shots! I love the close up of the lion's face!

[steery1]

Nice shots! I love the close up of the lion's face!

The lion pic was taken through the wire fence. Im amazed how it didn't show up on the photo.

Heres one from the same visit taken through really thick, (like 25mm), dirty glass. It came out better than I expected.
I call this one "Happy Feet" :) .....

http://steery1.smugmug.com/photos/155293894-L.jpg

[rtphokie]

The North Carolina Zoo is one of the better one's I've visited. Huge enclosures for the animals yet good photo opportunities still exist.


http://rtphokie.smugmug.com/photos/156708707-M.jpg

http://rtphokie.smugmug.com/photos/156709136-M.jpg

http://rtphokie.smugmug.com/photos/156708583-L.jpg

more photos (http://rtphokie.smugmug.com/gallery/2910546)

[LakeAriel]

Great shots! I especially like the lions, particularly #12. :thumbsup2


LakeAriel, we also have a George (and a Gracie) at the Bronx Zoo. :)

I'll have to visit them soon too..I have a membership at the Bronx zoo..Love it there also!

PS As a matter of fact the photo of my DGG ( head down) in my sig is taken at the NY Botanical Gardens just about next door to the zoo..

[LakeAriel]

Thanks richard_andmel. The lions seemed to be very interested in the clicking sounds that the cameras made. We were able to get a few lucky shots. :)

Thanks boBQuincy. I agree that it is a very nice zoo in a beautiful location. We like going there in the fall when the leaves are so colorful. We missed the cougar this trip. Your photo is great.

Plannergirl so sorry for the loss of your loved one. That is a beautiful place to have a memorial.

Thanks donaldduck1967. Hope that you will be able to visit the zoo sometime.

Thanks jann1033. The polar bears were really enjoying playing in the water.

I like your pictures LakeAriel. Very cute shot of your grandson.

Thanks, yours are gorgeous too...Actually all of these are gorgeous!

[MicMin]

Great pictures rtphokie. That is a very pretty shot of the artic fox.

[Evad]

Great pics, thanks for sharing. Post away if you have more. :thumbsup2

[disneycasemgr]

Beautiful tribute to Steve. Thanks so much for sharing.

[YEKCIM]

Nikon D50 + 70-300VR. I'm beginning to wonder if this ought to be my "walkaround" in all four parks.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20June%202007/DSC_1416.jpg
D50, 70-300VR @ 70mm, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/1600 sec

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20June%202007/DSC_1386.jpg
D50, 70-300VR @ 220mm, ISO 1600, f/7.1, 1/1600 sec

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20June%202007/DSC_1359.jpg
D50, 70-300VR @ 300mm, ISO 1600, f/7.1, 1/320 sec

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20June%202007/DSC_1344.jpg
D50, 70-300VR @ 300mm, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/160 sec

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j11/fasteddiew/Bham%20Zoo%20June%202007/DSC_1324.jpg
D50, 70-300VR @ 300mm, ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/400 sec

All shots made in aperture preferred auto, auto WB, JPEG/Fine, Matrix metering, -1/3EV exposure compensation on all

~YEKCIM

[Quicklabs]

Those are stunning!

[YEKCIM]

Those are stunning!

Thank you; you are kind to say so. Really enjoying my Nikon gear; the 70-300VR is a very good piece of glass.

~YEKCIM

[woodlandsparty]

Great photos! Care to share your data on the photos so we know what mm you were shooting at??

[YEKCIM]

Great photos! Care to share your data on the photos so we know what mm you were shooting at??

You can right click on any of the photos to get the full exif, except for the ISO which does not show on Nikon pix, for some strange reason.

~YEKCIM

[woodlandsparty]

You can right click on any of the photos to get the full exif, except for the ISO which does not show on Nikon pix, for some strange reason.

~YEKCIM

Hmmm...I never can get it when I right click....wonder why??

[Master Mason]

Hmmm...I never can get it when I right click....wonder why??

If your using IE you need to download a plug in to be able to do so.

Search on Opanda

[AndrewWG]

If your using IE you need to download a plug in to be able to do so.

Search on Opanda

Opanda works great. I use it with Internet Explorer. If you are using Firefox as your web browser, then go to the Firefox homepage and they have a plug in that you can use.

Yekcim,

Great pics! You are making me think Nikon... Man, all of you are gonna hate me by the time I finally decide and buy a DSLR aren't you!?

Andy

[YEKCIM]

Hmmm...I never can get it when I right click....wonder why??

I've added all the pertinent exposure data beneath each picture. Only PP done was some cropping and contrast adjustment in Picasa. NO sharpening on any of the pix, due to Picasa's non-adjustable sharpening (it's either sharpened, or not...no sliders)

~YEKCIM

[YEKCIM]

Opanda works great. I use it with Internet Explorer. If you are using Firefox as your web browser, then go to the Firefox homepage and they have a plug in that you can use.

Yekcim,

Great pics! You are making me think Nikon... Man, all of you are gonna hate me by the time I finally decide and buy a DSLR aren't you!?

Andy

Andy, you KNOW it is inevitable! Just go ahead and give in. It has taken me a while to get enough of the learning curve behind me to begin to get some shots I'm happy with, but comparing my D50 results to my Fuji S5200 shots, there is no doubt that it was the right move. And, that is more an endorsement of the D50 than an indictment of the S5200. For $250, the S5200 was a tremendous digital camera, and was an excellent "intro" into digital photography. The D50 is capable of so much more but, then again, it should be, given the cost differential. For the cost of *one* 70-300VR, I could have bought *two* S5200's!

~Ed

[woodlandsparty]

If your using IE you need to download a plug in to be able to do so.

Search on Opanda


Thanks a mil! I just downloaded it.....That will make 'peeking' at exif data so much easier!

[AndrewWG]

Andy, you KNOW it is inevitable! Just go ahead and give in. It has taken me a while to get enough of the learning curve behind me to begin to get some shots I'm happy with, but comparing my D50 results to my Fuji S5200 shots, there is no doubt that it was the right move. And, that is more an endorsement of the D50 than an indictment of the S5200. For $250, the S5200 was a tremendous digital camera, and was an excellent "intro" into digital photography. The D50 is capable of so much more but, then again, it should be, given the cost differential. For the cost of *one* 70-300VR, I could have bought *two* S5200's!

~Ed

Well, Ed, I will remain in Canon's court for now. Shots like those above could certainly get me to jump ship and join the Nikon bandwagon for sure though!

Andy

[YEKCIM]

Well, Ed, I will remain in Canon's court for now. Shots like those above could certainly get me to jump ship and join the Nikon bandwagon for sure though!

Andy

Well, I gotta tell you...I'm becoming very fond of the 70-300VR; I tend to shoot at the long end most of the time so it fits that tendency very nicely, and is a pretty sharp piece of glass to boot. I'm sure Canon has something equivalent, although I'm not "up" on their stuff. I just like shooting "long", personally, b/c it allows subject isolation, and some interesting space-compression perspectives that are not possible with shorter focal lengths. But that's just me.

~Ed

[go cowboys]

Again, wonderful pics Ed. I love your zoo trips. Thanks for all your insight.

[YEKCIM]

Again, wonderful pics Ed. I love your zoo trips. Thanks for all your insight.

I'm humbled; thank you for your kind words. Not sure what insight I have; it's mostly just "visually challenged probablility-related phenomena" (i.e., blind luck), augmented by better equipment than I deserve. Having ready access to good subject material helps a bunch, too.

~Ed

[AndrewWG]

Well, I gotta tell you...I'm becoming very fond of the 70-300VR; I tend to shoot at the long end most of the time so it fits that tendency very nicely, and is a pretty sharp piece of glass to boot. I'm sure Canon has something equivalent, although I'm not "up" on their stuff. I just like shooting "long", personally, b/c it allows subject isolation, and some interesting space-compression perspectives that are not possible with shorter focal lengths. But that's just me.

~Ed

I agree. When I shot film with my Rebel, I was always at 300mm with my 75-300mm! I don't know what it is, but I like to have the subject very closely cropped in all my photos.

Andy

[YEKCIM]

I agree. When I shot film with my Rebel, I was always at 300mm with my 75-300mm! I don't know what it is, but I like to have the subject very closely cropped in all my photos.

Andy

Andy,

I took a course in photojournalism my senior year in college, back when the Earth's crust was still cooling, and the instructor's constant comment was to "go for the tight closeup". That was 30+ years ago, and I still hear his voice, in the back of what's left of my brain, whispering, "go for the tight closeup" whenever I have a camera in my hands.

~Ed

[AndrewWG]

Andy,

I took a course in photojournalism my senior year in college, back when the Earth's crust was still cooling, and the instructor's constant comment was to "go for the tight closeup". That was 30+ years ago, and I still hear his voice, in the back of what's left of my brain, whispering, "go for the tight closeup" whenever I have a camera in my hands.

~Ed

:lmao: Doesn't that stink when you can't get those types of things out of your head? I think for me it is just the fact that I have spent most of my life looking in field guides and looking at those photos. Of course, they are up close and tight so that you can see the animal/bird that you are looking for. This is just how I like to see wildlife. There are some exceptions, but overall, I like the detail and to get that, you have to ZOOM! That is why I bought the S2 IS when I did.

Andy

[handicap18]

Nicely done once again Ed. Nice to see the D50 paying off for you. I too LOVE the 70-300 VR. It is very sharp. Much much sharper than my old Quantaray.

We're heading down to Providence tomorrow to visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo. I've heard very good things about it. I'm very excited to get out the 70-300mm VR. I'll post results sometime on Mon or Tue.

Andy, if your still up for it. I'll be down in Onset with the kids on June 30. The Gatemen have a home game that day. I'll definately have my D50 with me for the game to get some shots. If you haven't made up your mind by then, your certainly welcome to try it out.

[KimAshton]

Your pics look amazing for a cheap camera. :)

[AndrewWG]

Nicely done once again Ed. Nice to see the D50 paying off for you. I too LOVE the 70-300 VR. It is very sharp. Much much sharper than my old Quantaray.

We're heading down to Providence tomorrow to visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo. I've heard very good things about it. I'm very excited to get out the 70-300mm VR. I'll post results sometime on Mon or Tue.

Andy, if your still up for it. I'll be down in Onset with the kids on June 30. The Gatemen have a home game that day. I'll definately have my D50 with me for the game to get some shots. If you haven't made up your mind by then, your certainly welcome to try it out.

Kyle,

That sounds good. I will be in Sandwich during the day on that day for a 40th bday party of a friend of mine but I should be home again by 6pm or so and the game starts at 7pm. I'll plan on going to that for now, for sure! Of course, I really don't want to even touch a Nikon as I'm afraid it will burn my hands, but I'll give it a try! :)

Andy

[YEKCIM]

Kyle,

That sounds good. I will be in Sandwich during the day on that day for a 40th bday party of a friend of mine but I should be home again by 6pm or so and the game starts at 7pm. I'll plan on going to that for now, for sure! Of course, I really don't want to even touch a Nikon as I'm afraid it will burn my hands, but I'll give it a try! :)

Andy

Andy, if you are serious about the D50, I suggest you consider making a move reasonably soon, as they are becoming like the proverbial hens' teeth.

~YEKCIM

[Shane]

Great pictures, thank you for sharing them.

[Shane]

Wow, amazing photos. I love the colors on those parrots (They are right? :confused3 )

[AndrewWG]

Andy, if you are serious about the D50, I suggest you consider making a move reasonably soon, as they are becoming like the proverbial hens' teeth.

~YEKCIM

Actually, If I were to go Nikon, I would probably just go with the D80 rather than trying to find a D50. If they were still readily available, I would go the D50 route though. I am still in money saving mode so that I can actually buy anything at this point though.

Andy

[YEKCIM]

Wow, amazing photos. I love the colors on those parrots (They are right? :confused3 )

Yes, the colors are correct; the birds are actually Lorikeets and are about as colorful as any bird I've ever seen. Our local zoo has a Lorikeet aviary and the birds are loose inside, of course, and accustomed to humans being around, so the main problem in photographing them is *not* getting close enough...it is getting far enough away to be able to focus, at least with the lens I used, which has a minimum focus distance of about 5 feet.

~YEKCIM

[Pea-n-Me]

Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing. We were fans also. I've never actually seen pictures of the zoo (or a kookaburra) before, and the memorial looks incredible.

BTW, are you talking about your S3? :confused3 I wouldn't exactly call it a cheapie, LOL. ;)

[steery1]

Lovely shots Yeckim. I like the "go for the tight close-up" quote. It has served you well. :)

[YEKCIM]

Lovely shots Yeckim. I like the "go for the tight close-up" quote. It has served you well. :)

Thanks; the "tight closeup" deal has proven to be a good substitute for good composition skills, at least for me!

~YEKCIM

[Groucho]

You can right click on any of the photos to get the full exif, except for the ISO which does not show on Nikon pix, for some strange reason.

~YEKCIM
It's possible that it could be from your RAW processor? One thing that startled me a little when I switched from the Pentax RAW software to Lightroom was that my exif data suddenly looked a bit different. The data was pretty much all still there, but not always in the same order and sometimes formatted slightly differently. Perhaps the RAW processor is not putting the ISO in when creating the JPG.

Oh, and if you really want to practice for AK (at least, the Safari part), have someone push you around on a mechanical bull on wheels while you try to take your shots!

[hjd0411]

Oh no - this was a little Kodak "cheapie" I bought last year to practice with, before I got to the S3!!

Thanks everyone for commenting on the photos - I really enjoyed going there, and hope to go back again soon.

Heather :upsidedow

[SherKhan]

Very beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing it. The memorial definitely touched me. I can't wait for the day when I can visit the zoo in person.

[handicap18]

It's possible that it could be from your RAW processor? One thing that startled me a little when I switched from the Pentax RAW software to Lightroom was that my exif data suddenly looked a bit different. The data was pretty much all still there, but not always in the same order and sometimes formatted slightly differently. Perhaps the RAW processor is not putting the ISO in when creating the JPG.


No, its some sort of Nikon firmware issue Groucho. I have the same issue with all my JPEGs straight out of the camera. The ONLY place I've found I can read the ISO from my D50 is with the software that came with it from Nikon.

I've noticed it on anyone who shoots with a Nikon dSLR.

Its actually quite annoying.

[YEKCIM]

No, its some sort of Nikon firmware issue Groucho. I have the same issue with all my JPEGs straight out of the camera. The ONLY place I've found I can read the ISO from my D50 is with the software that came with it from Nikon.

I've noticed it on anyone who shoots with a Nikon dSLR.

Its actually quite annoying.

I d/l and installed Opanda something-or-other, which picks up the ISO, along with more information than I can possibly figure out.

Oh, and by the way, I shot those in (shhh)JPEG-Large/Fine) so it's not a RAW issue. Please don't tell anyone I'm still shooting JPEG. Oh, I'm so embarrassed. I'll probably be banned, now...:sad2:

~YEKCIM

[WebmasterCricket]

If your using IE you need to download a plug in to be able to do so.

Search on Opanda

You can save them localy as well and get info that way if you can't use the plug-in.

[jann1033]

Opanda works great. I use it with Internet Explorer. If you are using Firefox as your web browser, then go to the Firefox homepage and they have a plug in that you can use.

Yekcim,

Great pics! You are making me think Nikon... Man, all of you are gonna hate me by the time I finally decide and buy a DSLR aren't you!?

Andy
no one has shot me yet and i've been a pain much longer than you:rotfl: ;)

great shots yeckim esp. love the black swallowtail (?)

[Groucho]

Oh, and nobody mentioned it by name, but if you use Firefox (and if you don't - you should! ;) ), grab the FxIF plug-in to view the exif data without having to install a stand-alone program (ie, Opanda.)

[mikamah]

What absolutely stunning photos. The talent here on this board is amazing. Does it filter out through the computer, or is practice the only way to get so good? ;)

[YEKCIM]

What absolutely stunning photos. The talent here on this board is amazing. Does it filter out through the computer, or is practice the only way to get so good? ;)

My five step process:

1. Good equipment
2. Good subject material
3. Take LOTS of pix
4. Toss the bad ones
5. Post only the good ones

Others use a different technique, which has less steps, but involves more skill.

~YEKCIM

[GrumpyOne]

My five step process:

1. Good equipment
2. Good subject material
3. Take LOTS of pix
4. Toss the bad ones
5. Post only the good ones

AKA the "even a blind squirrel finds an occasional acorn" approach? That's what I call my approach. Take lots of pics, find the good ones and try to figure out what I did that made them decent.

[YEKCIM]

AKA the "even a blind squirrel finds an occasional acorn" approach? That's what I call my approach. Take lots of pics, find the good ones and try to figure out what I did that made them decent.

That's it exactly! And now, with digital, I find a few more "acorns" since I take exponentially more shots that I ever did with film. Of the 2000 (give or take) shots from WDW last July, I have a handful of shots that I'm really pleased with (not up to many forum regulars' standards, but pretty good for my skill level) and a couple hundred that I thought were good enough to make 4X6's of.

~Ed

[handicap18]

Took the family to the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence yestureday. Kids had a great time. Lots of cool animals, though they are still redoing the polar bears exhibit. I was hoping to see those. Oh well.


Mostly used the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR lens.

Here are a few of the better pics. We were there at the worst time for lighting, so it was hard to get some really nice pics. Plus many of the animals were behind glass which made for terrible glares (off the glass, not from the animals) and the glass was dirty too.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/handicap18/Misc%20Photo%20Gallery/Roger%20Williams%20Park%20Zoo/DSC_5662-01.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/handicap18/Misc%20Photo%20Gallery/Roger%20Williams%20Park%20Zoo/DSC_5675-01.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/handicap18/Misc%20Photo%20Gallery/Roger%20Williams%20Park%20Zoo/DSC_5689-01.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/handicap18/Misc%20Photo%20Gallery/Roger%20Williams%20Park%20Zoo/DSC_5721-01.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/handicap18/Misc%20Photo%20Gallery/Roger%20Williams%20Park%20Zoo/DSC_5735-01.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/handicap18/Misc%20Photo%20Gallery/Roger%20Williams%20Park%20Zoo/DSC_5774-01.jpg

[YEKCIM]

Nice pix, Kyle, especially given the less than optimum shooting conditions (glare, dirty glass). The 70-300VR is a great "zoo lens", isn't it?

~YEKCIM

[Gdad]

Gee Kyle- Is the 2nd camel getting a little personal there? :rotfl:

Nice work- I really like the last one.

[mikamah]

My five step process:

1. Good equipment
2. Good subject material
3. Take LOTS of pix
4. Toss the bad ones
5. Post only the good ones

Others use a different technique, which has less steps, but involves more skill.

~YEKCIM
Thanks for the advice. I do 2, 3, and 4, and just started out with rebel xti. I have taken a few hundred pics since I got my camera last week, but haven't been happy with too many of them. I guess I thought that an slr with the kit lens on automatic would be way better than my sony cybershot, but I've gotten some pretty good shots with the p+s. I do love the speed of the slr, with my son being my main subject, it's great to get the the pic I'm trying for, not 2 seconds later. I'm going to continue to play with the program modes, and figure out what kind of lens I want to invest in first. I also see a trip to the zoo in my near future. Lots of photo ops there.

[YEKCIM]

Thanks for the advice. I do 2, 3, and 4, and just started out with rebel xti. I have taken a few hundred pics since I got my camera last week, but haven't been happy with too many of them. I guess I thought that an slr with the kit lens on automatic would be way better than my sony cybershot, but I've gotten some pretty good shots with the p+s. I do love the speed of the slr, with my son being my main subject, it's great to get the the pic I'm trying for, not 2 seconds later. I'm going to continue to play with the program modes, and figure out what kind of lens I want to invest in first. I also see a trip to the zoo in my near future. Lots of photo ops there.

I'll be honest...I wasn't thrilled with my initial results either, but the more I shoot, the more pleased I am with the pix I'm getting. I think it's just a learning curve thing and, fortunately, with digital, there is no monetary penalty for practicing/experimenting.

~YEKCIM

[jann1033]

i agree, with a new dslr even from a film slr, it's like another "acorn free" world at first, at least for me it was...from a p&s to dslr you are now trying to do some of the things your camera did before so naturally it'll take a while to learn but practice practice practice should help.

[jann1033]

that glass is really annoying..it makes for nice viewing but bad photos...one of the zoos by us is still mostly glassless ( cleveland) but akron is almost totally glass viewing and dark as well so it's hard to use a cp( which i thought might help but it was to dark even with my f4 lens, maybe a 2.8 would be ok)

but nice photos and a fun time anyway...

side note i made granddaughter a photo book from our last few zoo trips( shutterfly, i got it for free) and she loved seeing herself( modest huh) and the animals. she kept saying "cool" when she got it..something weird about a 2 yr old using 70-80's slang:rotfl2: must be the "other" grandparents who are so "un-cool" ;)

[handicap18]

Thanks for the compliments. I might try going to the zoo in Boston. Its smaller, but worth trying to see how their setup is.

here are 2 that have some glare from the glass. These were 2 of the better ones. Some are just plain awful.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/handicap18/Misc%20Photo%20Gallery/Roger%20Williams%20Park%20Zoo/DSC_5732-01.jpg

This one I tried a number of times to get a shot, but the glass was awful, very dirty and scratchy so getting a focus was tough. This was the best, kinda of adds that the craine is giving a heck of a look. :teeth:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/handicap18/Misc%20Photo%20Gallery/Roger%20Williams%20Park%20Zoo/DSC_5773-01.jpg

Jeff, funny you mention the camels... but it was really the giraffe's that were getting personal. I wont post those pics, for the sake of the board.... :scared1:

[MicMin]

Nice pictures! I really like the one of the eagles.

[MicMin]

Great pictures! I want to get a 70-300VR for my D40. I think that it would be a good walkaround lens for the parks.

[YEKCIM]

Great pictures! I want to get a 70-300VR for my D40. I think that it would be a good walkaround lens for the parks.

It's a great lens, and the more I use mine, the better I like it. I wonder, though, how it would "balance" on the much smaller D40, as it is a pretty hefty lens. The new 55-200VR, at $250 is no slouch, and might be worth a look-see. Pix I've seen on another board are very impressive.

~YEKCIM

[jann1033]

as much as i love my 70-200 lens it is just a little to long for me as a walk around..the 50 would be better imo if the iq is good..

[MicMin]

It's a great lens, and the more I use mine, the better I like it. I wonder, though, how it would "balance" on the much smaller D40, as it is a pretty hefty lens. The new 55-200VR, at $250 is no slouch, and might be worth a look-see. Pix I've seen on another board are very impressive.

~YEKCIM

I have a 55-200VR and I think that it is a great lens. I was hoping to get a 70-300VR for more zoom. Thank you for the info about the size of the lens. I really hadn't thought about how much larger that it would probably be. I haven't seen the lens in any of the stores around here to check the size.

[Jeanne B]

We got back from our first trip to California and Arizona about 2-1/2 weeks ago, just now getting back on the DIS and getting some pics posted (lots of them actually, it's hard to narrow them down!!). These were all taken with my Pentax K100 using my 18-55, 50-200 and 50 mm 1.4. I left my S3 at home and brought my more pocketable A610 instead as a backup, I only missed the S3 a few times, mostly at the Grand Canyon.

Here's some of the California pics, I'll post the Arizona pictures later. The weather in California was beautiful but Arizona was hot, hot, hot!! We had a fantastic time though, loved the quaintness of Disneyland, it was small and although it was crowded it didn't feel like it, not like it feels at WDW. The most shocking thing was how small the castle was, I knew it was small from riding Soarin at WDW but it's strange to actually be there for the first time and to walk around the corner and find this little tiny castle that isn't any taller than many of the other buildings on Main Street!!

Hope you enjoy!!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1094.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1102.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1104.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1115.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1118.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1135.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1142.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1151.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1195.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1196.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1208.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1212.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1214.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1216.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1218.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1224.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1227.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1232.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1244.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1264.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1265.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1271.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1328.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1347.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/jtbonin/IMGP1349.jpg

[YEKCIM]

Nice shots. I know you are enjoying your new Pentax. What PP software do you use, btw?

~YEKCIM

[Jeanne B]

Nice shots. I know you are enjoying your new Pentax. What PP software do you use, btw?

~YEKCIM


Thank you. Actually none of these are PP'd. I have both Elements 5.0 and Paint Shop Pro X but I'm yet to use either one on more than just a few pictures, I never seem to get around to doing any PP once I get my pictures downloaded (truth be told, I need to make the time to get over the learning curve of them both :teeth:).

[YEKCIM]

Thank you. Actually none of these are PP'd. I have both Elements 5.0 and Paint Shop Pro X but I'm yet to use either one on more than just a few pictures, I never seem to get around to doing any PP once I get my pictures downloaded (truth be told, I need to make the time to get over the learning curve of them both :teeth:).

I know exactly what you mean. I have trial versions of three or four PP programs downloaded but as yet, uninstalled, due to the learning curve. I am leaning toward PSP, but am using Picasa at present (shhh...don't tell anyone). Picasa is a free d/l, is very simple to use and, while it lacks some things I'd really like to have (noise removal, adjustable sharpening, and distorion compensation), it does a pretty good job, very quickly, and I have been amazed at the difference it makes in my photos, especially from my D50, since dSLR's generally do less in-camera PP to begin with.

~Ed

[wdwgirl03]

Great pictures! :thumbsup2

[Groucho]

Cool shots, glad that you had a great time!

One thing you might consider for the car shots is to hunker down a little more - at shows like that, it's tough to isolate one car from another, but I think you can get a more dramatic shot by shooting from a lower angle, and perhaps also use a larger aperture to get a smaller depth of field. Actually, some of my favorite car shots I've taken from far away very close to the ground, it gets the angle low enough that you can usually see all four tires.

But, that's just my taste. Maybe I think of it more because I'm tall enough that my car shots taken standing can look like they're taken from pretty high sometimes!

[Dan Murphy]

What a nice assortment of shots, all very nice. That Cobra!!!!!!! :drive:

[Jeanne B]

Thanks for the compliments everyone and Groucho, thanks for the tips on the car shots, that makes a lot of sense to "hunker down" more as you explained it. I rarely go to a car show and I felt very much like the amateur that I am at this one and I was also wishing that I had brought my polarizer because there was a lot of glare and I'm guessing the polarizer would have helped. I've never been on a vacation where I've had so much sun and so many shadows to deal with, guess that's the joy of living in Arizona and southern California, lots of sunshine year round.:sunny:

[donaldduck1967]

Some pics from the Bronx Zoo from this past weekend. Hope you enjoy....

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213334.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213341.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213342.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213363.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213364.jpg

[donaldduck1967]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213368.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213378.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213399.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213426.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213452.jpg

[donaldduck1967]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213477.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213481.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213446.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213447.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n144/ddpmacho/BronxZoo0707/P7213403.jpg

[BWVNUT]

Gorgeous photos - wish mine would come out half that good!! :goodvibes

[shancan911]

Looks like you had a great day at the zoo! Thanks for sharing your pics :hippie: