Spotlight on reptiles

[Mitchell]

I was suspicious when I saw some Nikon gear wandering around the zoo yesterday... Looks like others were there too.

Some of my other favourite shots were of the bird show - eagle, kite, snowy owl - very low flying and hard to track, a great challenge.

I particularly enjoyed the light in the reptilian area, so here are a few for C&C. Alterations include cropping and curves adjustment.


#1


#2


#3

[Sir Tristram]

Very nice Mitchell. I was wandering around on Saturday and all my photos of the reptiles turned out rubbish. What tips have you got on getting them so clear through the glass and in such poor light? What lense did you use etc etc.

[stubbsy]

Mitchell

3 very interesting images, of which #2 is the standout for me. Of interest too is they all show that renowned Canon nudge towards softness I'm curious about what lens you used for these shots since the bokeh in #1 is very harsh, but not so in 2 or 3. Different lens - or bad light?

[sirhc55]

#2 is superb. #3 has beautiful composition

[Mitchell]

Thanks for the comments.

Sir Tristram: Lens used was: 24-70 2.8L, all were shot at 2.8. To reduce reflection I told my nephews to stand well back - the annoying reflections come from our side of the glass, so with an appropriate angle and no-one standing close they should not be a problem. It was also good to shoot earlier in the day - fewer sticky fingerprints!

In terms of light - big aperture helped, but I also only tried shooting animals that had nicely plopped themselves under one of the lights. Selecting relatively good lighting mean these were shot at ISO 400, 250 and 100 respectively.

Stubbsy: Same lens for all three - #1 was a bigger glass cage with more light sources and I think that is cause of the harsh bokeh. The other two only had one light source - and it happened to be in a good spot! I've heard people mention the phenomenon of Canon softness - but it doesn't really worry me. I actually tried PP sharpening these a bit, and I preferred how it was straight out of the box. I guess another one of those personal preference things...

Chris: Cheers!

[avkomp]

2 is clearly a standout for me also
well done

Steve

[PiroStitch]

love number 2...very hypnotic...zzzzzzz

[pharmer]

#2 is a winner - nicely framed and great colour

Is that an Emerald Python of some sort?

[stubbsy]

Mitchell

Thanks for the info. My comment about Canon softness wasn't intended as an insult - more a note on the obvious point of difference. Canon gives softer images than Nikon, but both produce high quality shots with the right person behind the camera. At the end of the day I soften some shots that you would get out of the camera, while you sharpen some I'd leave alone.

Viva La Difference!

[wendellt]

nice tone, it's good to see you recognised good light and shot it as it was
number 2 is special and that bokeh quality on htat L lens is sweet shows best in number 3