While photographing on location, many people have asked me how I capture action shots and how to avoid reflection when shooting through fences or glass windows at zoos and aquariums.  If you follow these simple steps, I can promise that you’ll get better results on your next trip to a zoo/aquarium:

STEP 1:
Check your camera equipment.  Set your camera to ISO 100 or 200 for still subjects and ISO 400 (800 if necessary) and apply burst mode (if available) for action shots.  If you have a lens hood use it to block unwanted light.  Use a monopod or a tripod to minimize camera shake.  Telephoto zoom (for outdoors) and macro (for aquariums) lenses are recommended for SLR users.  Turn off digital-zoom feature on non-SLR cameras.

STEP 2:
Spend time to study your subjects.  Wild animals are unpredictable, but sometimes there’s a pattern to their daily activities while in captivity.  Note the paths they take when pacing around their enclosure and locate ideal locations at the exhibit to shoot.  If the animals are asleep, wait a while or come back at a later time to catch them in action.

STEP 3:
Anticipate and stand by for action.  Now that you have observed how they move, which way they turn, and where they look… just keep your finger on the trigger and shoot away when your subjects are in focus.  You only have a split second to capture the moment so be ready!

STEP 4:
Reflections and glares usually ruin the shots through glass windows, unless that’s your artistic/conceptual intention.  I use the black side of my collapsible 5-in-1 reflector/deflector kit to solve this problem.  If you don’t have this tool, you can achieve the same effect by wearing something dark and use your body to reflect a dark spot on the glass to shoot through it.  

STEP 5:
If you must use flash at an aquarium, try to have your lens against the glass to avoid flash light reflection.  Remember to remove the hood attached to your long lens; otherwise it will cast a shadow on your image.  If you have macro, use it to capture those fine details.  Sometimes a diffuser on your flash unit may help getting rid of that harsh shadow and soften the background.

STEP 6:
The technique to shoot through vertical wire or chain-link fences is very simple: find any gap between the fence, zoom in through it, focus on your subject (particularly the eyes), and snap!  This works much better when you are closer to the fence while the animal is farther away from it.

BONUS TIP:
You’ll find many zoo animals active during early morning when they come out on exhibit or later in the evening before they are put away.  Try to show up a bit earlier and/or stick around a little longer—you’ll have a better chance to capture unique moments.

Happy shooting and let me know if you would like more tips like this.