Images and Tips by Ken Hubbard
Taking pictures of wildlife is a rewarding activity. Zoos and wildlife preserves offer great chances to capture hard-to-find animals like wolves and bobcats.
Capturing beautiful photos of wolf packs in captivity can be challenging. The goal is to highlight their natural beauty and spirit. With the right techniques and gear, such as Tamron’s telephoto zoom lenses, you can create stunning wildlife portraits that stand out.
Here are six important tips from professional wildlife photographer Ken Hubbard for photographing wildlife in captivity. These tips will help you enjoy your next photography trip:
TIP 1. Research and Plan Your Visit
The key to any successful wildlife shoot is preparation. Before you go, check the zoo or wildlife preserve’s website. This will help you learn the layout and find the best times to see the animals when they are most active. Many preserves provide helpful information, such as:
- Exhibit closures: Know what exhibits or areas may be closed during your visit.
- Feeding schedules: Animals are often most active during or right after feeding times, making for great photo opportunities.
- Special events: Some locations offer photo tours, educational talks, or special hours for photographers.
By planning ahead, you can maximize your chances of seeing wolves and bobcats in dynamic poses and engaging behavior.
TIP 2. Timing is Key
Lighting and animal behavior are both heavily influenced by the time of day. For the best results:
- Arrive early or stay late: Animals are usually more active in the early morning and late afternoon. This is when the light is softer and less harsh.
- Avoid midday sunlight: Harsh overhead light can create unflattering shadows and washed-out images.
- Be there when it opens: Arriving as soon as the zoo or preserve opens means fewer crowds. This lets you enjoy popular exhibits without distractions.
Softer natural light during golden hours helps you create rich, bright images. It also avoids glare and harsh contrasts.
TIP 3. Use a Long Lens
A telephoto zoom lens is essential for wildlife photography in captivity. With a telephoto zoom lens, you can take close-up shots of wolves and bobcats. This helps you focus on them without barriers, fences, or distractions. The ability to zoom gives you flexibility, allowing you to adapt quickly to changing distances and positions.
Tamron offers several versatile options, such as:
- 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 DI III-A VC VXD or 28-300mm F/4-7.1 DI III VC VXD are great all-in-one zoom lenses with ultra telephoto reach for general zoo photography.
- 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 DI III VC VXD or 150-500mm F/5-6.7 DI III VC VXD ultra-telephoto zoom lenses are great for taking close-up shots of animals. They let you stay far enough away so you don’t disturb them.
A tripod or monopod can help keep your camera steady. This is especially useful when using longer focal lengths, in low light conditions, or when you need to reduce camera shake.
A monopod gives you more mobility and support for heavy lenses. This makes it great for moving around zoos and preserves. Be sure to turn off VC image stabilization when using a tripod or monopod.
TIP 4. Focus on the Eyes
When photographing animals, the eyes are everything. Tips for nailing the eyes:
- Use single point autofocus to ensure precision focus on the animal’s eye.
- Position yourself at eye level with the animal, if possible, for a more intimate and powerful composition.
- If the animal is moving, increase your shutter speed to avoid motion blur while keeping the eyes sharp.
A sharp, focused gaze can bring life and emotion to your photos, drawing the viewer directly into the image.
TIP 5. Background Awareness
Distracting backgrounds can take away from an otherwise beautiful shot. Be mindful of elements like walls, fences, signage, or man-made structures that may appear in your frame. To create clean, professional-looking images:
- Use a wide aperture: Camera setting are important. An aperture like f6.7 with a telephoto lens creates a shallow depth of field. This blurs the background and focuses on your subject. This also allows you to use a fast shutter speed to freeze any action.
- Reposition yourself: Move around to find an angle that minimizes distractions and emphasizes the natural environment.
With careful framing and a wide aperture, even a national wildlife refuge setting can look as wild and untamed as the animals themselves.
TIP 6. Shooting Through Barriers
Taking photos through fences or glass can be tough. However, with some simple changes, you can reduce their look in your pictures:
- Get close: Position your lens as close as possible to the glass or fence.
- Use a wide aperture: Lenses like Tamron’s 150-500mm f5-6.7 or 70-180mm f2.8 allow you to blur out fences and reflections.
- Avoid reflections: When shooting through glass, angle your camera. Use a lens hood or cloth to block glare.
These techniques help you overcome barriers and ensure your photos are crisp and distraction-free.
Conclusion
Capturing wolves and bobcats in captivity can result in stunning images that highlight their beauty and wild essence. With good planning and timing, you can take great photos in zoos and wildlife preserves.
This is great practice for your trip to a national park in North America where you can photograph gray wolves and other endangered species in the wild.
Using the right gear, such as Tamron’s telephoto zoom lenses, can help you overcome challenges. Follow these tips from Ken Hubbard, focus on the eyes, be mindful of backgrounds, and let the great wildlife shine in your images.