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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> Meloncholy Zoo shots
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Showing posts 1 - 6 of 6, (reverse)
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 01/04/2009 01:40:43 AM · #1
Hi all,

Went to the SanFrancisco zoo today with my family. Here are a few pics from a nice day. Tried to to give the zoo a slightly different feel and they aren't all about majestic animals, perfectly housed in their native habitats. Nay, but they reflect confinement, boredom, and apathy (and majesty). I caught a few pretty shots but had some fun playing around with a variety of scenes. Comment if you feel to, I'll return in kind.

BTW--These aren't meant to be some kind of statement. I like zoos and feel they benefit both us and animals by educating us about their lives.



P.S. I took the kids with me to the zoo but couldn't find an empty cage in which to leave them! ;)

All were taken with the 70-200/4 and several had a lightroom preset called 'Dream' ran on them prior to export.

01/04/2009 01:57:30 AM · #2
I'm assuming it's the ones that had "dream" run on them, but some look reminiscent of lomo images to me. I like it overall.
The primate photo (6699) reminds me somewhat of the last time I went to the zoo in Denver- there was a solitary orangutan hiding under a burlap sack by the window, and a family came up with several kids and the kids all started banging on the glass and the parents didn't do anything. That orangutan was probably the most miserable looking animal I've seen in a long while, and I felt too bad about it to even take a photo as an impact shot.
I agree with you about zoos though.
I also like your shots of the animal's feet. Different take on things.

Message edited by author 2009-01-04 02:14:34.
 01/04/2009 02:07:12 AM · #3
Very nice series, Mark - I quite enjoyed viewing them. Looks like you guys had a lovely day for the trip, too! Thanks for sharing these.
 01/04/2009 03:42:22 AM · #4
No you are totally right about the SF zoo. I remember going on a tour with my class when I was 12 an dthe tour guide was saying how much better the zoo was and how animals were happy and didn't pace around any more but low and behold when we got to the polar bears and tigers, all they were doing was pacing. I have a pic of Tatiana the tiger (the one that killed and mauled some stupid teenagers) and also a video of her roaring in a very moarnful way which I have yet to upload. Very nice shots though and they present the right mood.
 01/04/2009 11:26:10 PM · #5
Originally posted by mpeters:
Tried to to give the zoo a slightly different feel and they aren't all about majestic animals, perfectly housed in their native habitats. Nay, but they reflect confinement, boredom, and apathy (and majesty).


You have got some great shots there. I went to the small local zoo yesterday as well(point defiance in Tacoma) and had the same experience. Unfortunately, the quite active river otters wouldn't sit still long enough to get a good pic. Here are my more unenthused models. No matter I still love the chance to get anywhere near these creatures to take their pics.

01/05/2009 06:41:04 PM · #6
Thanks for the looks-- I've caught a couple of you with comments and I will catch up ASAP.

Interesting fun fact: After the tiger escape/mauling death last Christmas, the fence has been reconfigured. It is not possible to dangle any part of ones body over the fence although it is possible to stick a hand, zoom lens, or possibly an undersized foot through the cable fencing. The fence is now a glass(bad for photography) and cable(good) combination.
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