Evening star., 1954-04-18
Camera Angles

clamor for a trip to the Zoo.
You can double your pleasure
by taking your camera along.
With fine weather due, con-
ditions will be ideal for picture
taking and you can't beat the
combination of kids and ami
mails for a days outing with
the camera. So load up your
picnic basket with pop corn,
peanuts, soda pop, and all the
trimmings. Add several rolls OF
film for yourself and get set for
a day of fun and picture
taking,
We usually take both color
and black and white film to the
Zoo. We try to shoot as many
pictures as possible in color to
get the most accurate records
possible of the animals and
birds. Then too, shrubs, flowers
and trees in the park lend
themselves color wise to photo
graphy at this time of year.
The monochrome film comes
in handy when taking pictures
inside the buildings that are
not sufficiently we'll lighted for
color exposures.
Feeding Time Is Best
Whether you are planning a
full day at the Zoo or just a
brief visit you will do well
to make a phone call to
find out when the animals are
to be fed. This is the ideal
time for taking snapshots. The
animals are most alert at that
time and individual reactions
during the feeding are well
worth while recording on film.
The lions and other men,
bers of the cat family are al
ways at their snarling best
when gnaWing on a joint of
raw beef. The seals are al
ways worth number of shots
as they dive and frolic in their
pool when the attendants
throw in their quota of fish.
The bears are natural comics,
especially if you have a plenti-
full supply of peanuts along.
And as Lew Lehr once aptly
said, monkeys are the crazi-
est people"
And you can prove that
axiom in reverse if you take
time out to shoot a few pic
lures of the visitors. Some &C
tually outdo the monkeys in
their efforts to attract the at
tention of people" on the
other side of the bars. An an
imal's-eye view of those on the
outside can be very revealing
sometimes.
Reptiles Good Subjects
The reptile house is fertile
ground for the photographer.
Most camera fans neglect to
take pictures here on the the
ory that the lighting is not the
best for photography. But, as
a matter of fact, the nature of
the subjects help overcome the
lighting difficulties. AS you
will soon observe most of the
snakes gators and croc's, and
tortoises seem to be in a state
Of continual torpor and remain
motionless for long periods Of
time.
This is ideal for time ex-
posures and, of course, you can
shoot right through the glass
fronts of the compartments.
You will find it Comparatively
easy to shoot from a tripod
with the camera shutter set
for time exposure. Use the
existing light of the cage. A
careful reading from your eX-
poSure meter will tell you ex-
actly how long the exposure
must be. The chances are all
in your favor that the subject
will not make a move during
the exposure. Most of the COM
partments have painted back
grounds that simulate the
natural habitatS of the reptiles
and, since no bars interfere
with your pictures, the result
ing snapshots will be very
realistic.
Bors and DISTINCTIONS
Admittedly bars are some
what of a problem to the Zoo
photographer. So whenever
possible perform your camera
work on the outside where
moats are used as protective
measures rather than bars.
When the bars must be in
cluded be sure you align your
camera so they appear vertical
in the composition. Occasion
ally they will be spaced widely
enough so you can shoot be-
tween them. Where wire mesh
Is employed get close enough
with. the camera lens and the
obstruction will not be notice.
able on the film.
We all recognize the fact
that cloSeupS of people are
more interesting than those
made at a distance. Apply this
same reasoning when shooting
pictures of the animals Try
to fill the frame of your finder
with the head of the animal
subject and the results will be
most pleasing. If the subject is
not close enough for your reg
ular lens to do the job, re-
place it with another of great
er focal length.
Include the Children
Record the full story of your
family's wanderings through
the park. As the children go
from place to place include
them. as we'll as the animals,
in your picture taking plans.
Later you can shoot up