Hadia Bendelhoum, one of my students wanted a new FB profile picture while we were on our field trip to Shutterstories a photography studio in Riverside, so I dug out my 580EX Speedlite, a grid spot and cybersync radio slaves and I also used a big silvered reflector.
A portrait to match the holiday season is fairly easy if you have a flash you can fire off-camera.
But you’ll need a lens that has a wide aperture.
That is often called a fast lens because the wide opening or aperture allows you to shoot with a ‘fast’ shutter speed.
Then it’s a matter of finding a location where there are tiny twinkly lights like outdoors or even indoors next to a decorated Christmas tree.
The more colorful, the better.
Yes, you can shoot this with only available light too.
Assuming you are all geared up and have your best pair of walking shoes on, what should you be thinking about when you photograph animals at your local zoo?
Meerkats make fun subjects because they appear to not mind humans. This fellow was sunning himself in the sunlight and it stayed put allowing me to move until I found a clean uncluttered background.
Things to Consider
I doubt I would ever get a picture of a fox yawning like this in the wild unless I spend days in an uncomfortable hide.
You will usually be restricted to no more than a-180 degree view of each animal’s enclosure.
There are, of course exceptions, like enclosures for small animals like a colony of meerkats or aviaries or walk-through exhibits like for butterflies.
In the case of butterflies, having access to macro lenses can be a huge advantage.
