A trip to the local zoo is a fun photographic journey. Lots of things to shoot and many situations to test your camera talents. Go armed with the following tips and you’ll return with more good pictures than your last time there.

Research the Zoo itself – Go to their website and get a map. Figure out sun angles before you even get there. Also check for a feeding schedule. Everyone’s active when they know food’s coming. See if they’ve posted about new baby animals as they make for great photo opps.
Take advantage of free admission days if they’re offered. It’ll be a bit crowded until all the little kids get tired and Mom decides to pack it in for the day.

Shooting through glass barriers – The real secret is to put your lens on the glass. Look for a clean spot with no scratches. Be sure your lens shade is on (a rubber one is best as it gives a bit) and don’t press too hard. As your lens focuses, the front will rotate or move slightly in and out. You don’t want to impede that movement.
Look through the glass first before you decide to use this technique. If you see a distorted image through curved or angled glass so will your camera. And some of the viewing areas (gorillas perhaps) have laminated or sandwiched glass for extra strength which results in wavy or textured glass. No sharp images thru this stuff.

Shooting through fences – If possible, just like with the glass, get right up next to it and place your lens so that no fence wire is in front of it. If it’s too far, try using a wide open aperture and shoot subjects that are ten feet or more beyond the fence. The minimal depth of field will render the fence as a blur. Shots of animals right next to the fence will also show the fence; can’t really help it.

Camera support – Check with the zoo first as some don’t allow tripods. Causes too much of a hazard for pedestrians and stroller Moms. A monopod is perfect for that extra bit of stability for your 80-200 or 70-300 lens. A pocket or tabletop tripod, or a beanbag, may prove useful at times. There’s usually lots of posts or railings to prop it up on.

Bring a flash – A fill flash will make a huge difference in many photos. Shooting dark furred animals with fill helps bring out the details on their coat. Set you fill for -1.5 or -2 stops; you don’t want it to overpower the existing light. Good also for shots of the family when everyone is wearing a hat!

Off camera flash for fishtanks – … and for terrariums with lizards and snakes. Use the wireless capabilities of your DSLR flash or an off camera cord. Get the lens on the glass again and use the flash off to the side, angled at your subject. Very effective.

Prepare for your next photo trip to the zoo and have a great time.