Tips for Photographing Zoo Animals 
Snow Leopard:
(Panthera uncia)

© Gary D.Tonhouse 1997 - 2008

The Eye of the Cat


Snow Leopard
(Panthera uncia) 
Phylum: Chordata, 
Class: Mammalia, 
Order: Carnivore
Family: Felidae
Scientific Name:
Uncia uncia

The snow leopard has a thick, beautiful gray to yellowish-gray coated with large black rosettes.
Hunting for its beautiful coat is just one of the reasons this cat has become an endangered species. 

Habitat: Mountainous regions, between 6,000 and 20,000 feet in altitude 


Zoo Photography Etiquette:


To make the Zoo a relaxing place for you and the animals


Don't disturb the animals by yelling or making loud noises.
 (They have heard them all and will just ignore you anyway). 
Please don't feed the animals, they are on strict diets to maintain their health. 
(Your fingers and germs are not on their dietary list). 
Please don't climb over fences or barriers for closer shots. 
(The animals are always looking for new things to play with, your camera should amuse them for hours)! 

Zoos offers a variety of opportunities for the photographer to take great photos. 
All animals are on exhibit but most of the time, they have the option to utilize den areas or rest or sleep out of sight. 
Be patient if you don't see an animal immediately, most often, they may be right in front of you, so keep looking! 
PATIENCE ... PATIENCE ... PATIENCE ... PATIENCE
Follow all rules that the Zoo has set forth.


Equipment used to capture this image:

Camera: 
    Nikon F4s
Lens:          Nikor 500mm F4
Tripod:       Gitzo 320 with Bogen Ball Head

Film:           Fuji Provia 100
Flash:         Nikon SB-25 with Flash Extender


The Aperture was set at F4 and shutter speed was around 1/8 on this slide.
There was very low light on this morning and on many of the images,
I used fill flash.
The camera an tripod were set up at eye level or about 51/2 feet above the ground.
One of the most important items to think about when photographing at a Zoo,
break your images down to the simplest form. No distraction in foreground or background.


Please contact me for more information on sizes and costs.
Reflective Images
613 S.E. 6th Street
Ankeny, Iowa 50021
Phone: (515) 964-7816

 

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