Chester Zoo Photos

tonybairduk2 · 25-02-2007, 2:29 PM

Hi,

Went to Chester Zoo Yesterday to test out my New Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG EX HSM MACRO Lens. As some of you know i've only just start photography so any cristism is most welcome.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

T0MAT01 · 25-02-2007, 3:49 PM

You got some great shots there, especially the Elephants.

The Leopards look a bit under-exposed, probably because of the amount of sky/cloud in the frame. For that kind of shot you could try a different exposure mode like center weighted or even zoom right in on the subject, use exposure lock and then re-frame (depending on what camera you use).
Keep an eye on the sky so it doesn't get blown out though.

tonybairduk2 · 25-02-2007, 3:58 PM

cheers for your comments T0MAT01

Holowlegs · 25-02-2007, 4:02 PM

Hi ya

I think number 2 a great shot

. Also like 6. Maybe try and brighten 4 & 5 up a bit more.

Cheers Holo

tonybairduk2 · 25-02-2007, 4:06 PM

Cheers Holowlegs,

i agree with 4 and 5 that they are to dark. Will do some more work with my Raw files. Thanks for your comments

**senu** · 25-02-2007, 6:50 PM

Nice pics all round.

As they started life as RAW, any under or ever exposure can be fixed as they are not too bad.
Beware of using the very smallest apertures if focusing is hard if lighting permits .
Very shallow DOF isnt always good as it may make part of your subject OOF at the expense of bokeh

stevegreen · 25-02-2007, 6:51 PM

2 & 4 are the best for me. Great close framing in No.2, adds loads to the image and I particularly like the way the two leopards are lined up in No.4.

They could all probably benefit from a little colour and contrast boost just to 'liven' them up a bit.

Good efforts

tonybairduk2 · 25-02-2007, 7:12 PM

Thanks everyone for their responses, i shall work on them a lot more. By the way Pictures 4 and 5 are Jaguars not Leopards

**senu** · 25-02-2007, 7:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybairduk2

Thanks everyone for their responses, i shall work on them a lot more. By the way Pictures 4 and 5 are Jaguars not Leopards

There I was thinking . "Nah surely not.... Jaguar is a brand of car

The spots are different though but the error is easily made

Once again good effort

Liquid101 · 25-02-2007, 7:26 PM

Some great shots there. The Jaguar shots are crying out for a little of the HDR treatment to liven them up a little. I'd even be tempted to got for a serious bit of background manipulation

The Lion close up is stunning, just a shame the focus isn't quite on the eyes.

Nice shots

MonkeyHugger · 25-02-2007, 7:26 PM

The first Meerkat is the cutest thing I've ever seen! Absouletly fantastic quality.

As a beginner too I hope I can produde shots like this

Peakoverload · 25-02-2007, 7:26 PM

Please take the following as constructive criticism.

1. Dof is too shallow, eyes are in focus but nose isn't. I'd stop the lens down a little and increase the ISO if necessary in order to get more dof

2. The same as #1 but in reverse. This time the nose is sharp but the eyes are soft which is a shame as it would have made a nice portrait.

3. Shame about the branches in front, but there's not a lot you could have done about that I guess.

4. Nice portrait. The only problem is that the light sky has fooled the camera's metering a bit. This should be very simple to fix in Photoshop either by using curves and/or by creating a layer masks and changing blend modes or dodging to brighten the foreground. Whilst you are there I'd boost the saturation a little. It's worth spending a little time with this one as it's a nice shot.

5. Same as 4 and worth putting in the effort again.

6. This shot is crying our for some curves work. Just by using a simple S shaped curve I was able to really make these elephants stand out from the background. Such a shame the feet are cut off as this is a really nice interaction shot.

HTH

tontoshorse · 25-02-2007, 7:31 PM

As a comparitive newbie too, I tend to shoot in RAW simply so I can adjust the exposure at my leisure. As mentioned by others a couple could to with a bit of adjusting. Good pics though, no. 4 for me.

tonybairduk2 · 25-02-2007, 7:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peakoverload

Please take the following as constructive criticism.

1. Dof is too shallow, eyes are in focus but nose isn't. I'd stop the lens down a little and increase the ISO if necessary in order to get more dof

2. The same as #1 but in reverse. This time the nose is sharp but the eyes are soft which is a shame as it would have made a nice portrait.

3. Shame about the branches in front, but there's not a lot you could have done about that I guess.

4. Nice portrait. The only problem is that the light sky has fooled the camera's metering a bit. This should be very simple to fix in Photoshop either by using curves and/or by creating a layer masks and changing blend modes or dodging to brighten the foreground. Whilst you are there I'd boost the saturation a little. It's worth spending a little time with this one as it's a nice shot.

5. Same as 4 and worth putting in the effort again.

6. This shot is crying our for some curves work. Just by using a simple S shaped curve I was able to really make these elephants stand out from the background. Such a shame the feet are cut off as this is a really nice interaction shot.

HTH

Thanks for your comments regarding the Photos, I'm a complete begginer on photoshop so i better get learning quick.

vulkan75 · 25-02-2007, 7:51 PM

Llove the elephants shot mate.

nice one.

tonybairduk2 · 25-02-2007, 8:01 PM

I have done a little work to the Jaguar Picture 4. Is this any better

tonybairduk2 · 25-02-2007, 8:11 PM

Heres a couple of Tiger Pictures for you

7.

8.

Holowlegs · 25-02-2007, 8:18 PM

Hi there

I do like that first one of the tiger well caught.

alj23 · 25-02-2007, 10:15 PM

wahey - Chester Zoo has to be my favourite place for taking photos !!! I live about 1 min away and can hear the Lions roaring - I am that close !!! hehehe

Haven't been for ages due to work committments then poor weather on days off but cant wait for the summer - look out for loads of pics once we get sunny days.

Did you take the Tiger pics through the perspex window in the viewing area ??

tonybairduk2 · 26-02-2007, 9:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alj23

wahey - Chester Zoo has to be my favourite place for taking photos !!! I live about 1 min away and can hear the Lions roaring - I am that close !!! hehehe

Haven't been for ages due to work committments then poor weather on days off but cant wait for the summer - look out for loads of pics once we get sunny days.

Did you take the Tiger pics through the perspex window in the viewing area ??

I took the pictures of the Tigers through the Fencing not the Perspex Window.