Zoos by Ron Toel

For the photographer, zoos are a place one can go to get images of animals that one would have difficulty seeing in the wild. It is like shooting studio work but with a lack of control designed within a studio.

The advantages of a zoo shoot are that most zoos are convenient, and usually have good healthy animals which one may never see in the wild. Modern zoos designs now feature a moat or a pit (so no shooting through the bars) and a more natural setting. Also one gets to see babies, which are difficult to see in the wild.

The disadvantages are that one has to contend with many people (of course people can be fun to shoot as well). Only the modern day zoos are equipped without bars. Also there is the alpenglow lighting at times when most zoos are closed, and this is also the time when most animals are most active. During most zoo hours there is very little activity of the animals. Most zoos, even some modern day ones, have less than appropriate backgrounds for a realistic image. Usually there is a blank wall as a background. Even this can be made to not be noticeable if one uses a medium range telephoto lens and shoots with a wide aperture. This then creates a shallow depth of field and throws the background out of focus. This method also does not allow for full body images of the larger animals.

No matter where one goes, to create images, there are pro’s and con’s. I, personally, tried shooting in zoos and came to dislike it. The con’s have always outweighed the benefits and I was never satisfied with my images.

If one does do zoo work and creates great images, when trying to sell them label them as captive images. I know several great photographers, that created captive animal images and told everyone they were wild. When discovered, these particular photographers were blackballed, and never sold any more of their work. Honesty, is the best policy.

I have 400-500 images of mountain lions….all but one were shot captive. I have several bobcat images, half were shot captive. I have several wolf images…..most were shot captive. I have several fisher images, all were shot captive. Animals as the seals and walrus, polar bears, and several others have all been captive shots and one can tell by just looking at the image.

I still enjoy the zoos…..I still go to them and carry my camera when I go….but I no longer create images of the captive animals. Instead I have found it is a great place to find birds, and many of the small mammals (squirrels and other rodents) because they are free loading on the food that is wasted by the larger animals. Don’t give it up.

By Wayne Nelson: About once a year I generally write an article and share old pictures of zoo animals. I thought I would let my buddy Ron share his thoughts this time, and you will see that our views are pretty much the same. Still, before you view the images below I do feel compelled to explain a bit, and take some (a lot of) space to tell my story.

I have spent a good part of my life working very hard to create top-notch images of wild animals. Those animals are living free and wild and I would not have it any other way. It has been difficult but also a true joy. Many of you reading this including Ron know exactly what I mean. Sharing some zoo shots made along the way has its perils for a wildlife photographer.

Many years ago at the very beginning of the digital age of photography, before the invention of high-end digital cameras but after slide scanning and Photoshop came into being, two of the worlds best got caught trying to pass some heavily manipulated images as straight photography. They are still two of the best but ever since those days we all look at the pictures they now make and wonder just how manipulated they are. The truth is that the best known of these two photographers makes images that have less “photoshopping” than anyone in this field. Still you always wonder. The same is true of captive animal photography. Great wildlife photographers who on rare occasions make pictures of captive animals, run the risk of having all of those great wild shots doubted. It is a peril.

About me: I have never worked at a game farm. I don’t even like the fact that an entire industry was created to make money off of the act of having new generations of wild animals raised in captivity. All because of nature photography. I don’t feel any better just because they take good care of the animals. That is to say at the good (expensive) places they do. All of my captive animal photography has been in public zoos. With no trainers or handlers. My purpose was to make pictures of African, Asian and Australian animals. I wanted them for stock sales and they always went out to editors clearly marked CAPTIVE. Along the way I have made some images of North American animals but have never submitted any of them for publication. I stopped this about 2002 but taught three photography workshops at a public zoo in 2006/2007. I made some images while I taught those workshops. I have not since worked in any zoos.

Zoos are educational and entertainment venues that will exist whether or not anyone ever makes a serious picture there. I will tell you that I enjoyed creating images in zoos. It is fun and a great way to practice, or to stay in practice at the discipline of wildlife photography. It is also more difficult than you may think. I can tell you honestly that I would however not trade any one of my “wild” images for all of my zoo shots. In the end when it comes to making pictures in zoos the only issue I have with it is when photographers send their images into book, magazine or calendar publishers and do not disclose the fact that they are zoo ( or other) captive shots.

Once again I have become too wordy. I thank you for your indulgence.

African Lioness

Male African Lion

Grandfather…..Polar Bear

Meercats

Tigers. I am embarrassed to admit that I am not sure whether these are Siberians, Bengals or both as they all resided at this zoo when I made these pictures

White Tiger. White Tigers occur naturally. Unfortunately zoos realized that the popularity of these animals with the public made them a bonanza. The practice of breeding White Tigers together went on to the point of in-breeding. They were eventually producing a weaker and sicker cat. I do believe that in the Americas and Europe, this practice has stopped.