National Zoo Shoot

Have you ever wanted to go on a safari but haven’t had the time or money to get to the locations where you have wanted to go? Then this shoot at the National Zoo is for you! The Smithsonian Institution established the Department of Living Animals at a site on the Mall in 1887. The National Zoo was moved to its current location in 1891. The 163 acre site was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the same landscape architect that designed Central Park. Today the National Zoo is better than ever with recent renovations and new exhibits.

Get ready for a photographic safari and capture giant pandas, flamingos, gorillas, lions, tigers and other inhabitants of this great wildlife park. The National Zoo is perfect for seeing the animals in a setting that is as close to their natural habitats as you can get in a zoo. With wide walkways and plenty of viewing areas, you will be able to accumulate great images of many of the Zoo’s residents.

Learn how to create great portraits of the gorillas, orangutans and other primates. Timing is everything when it comes to getting beautiful images of primates. Your patience will pay off with some wonderful photographs.

You will also learn how lens choice, depth of field and cropping help you control what you see of the animal’s enclosure. Nobody wants to see images of animals “behind bars” so come and learn how to shoot through, around, and over the barriers that keep the humans out.

A DSLR camera with a telephoto lens will help you get close to your subject while staying a safe distance, but you are also welcome to bring a digital point and shoot camera. Please be sure to charge your battery before coming to class and bring a spare battery if you have one. Comfortable walking shoes will make the walk much more pleasant and be sure to dress for the weather.

Meet the group at the “Zoo” sculpture 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC. The Zoo has paid parking which fills up fast on the weekends or you can come via Metro’s Red Line to the Woodley Park – Zoo station then a short walk to the zoo.

Call Digital Photo Academy at 1 877 372 2231. Lots of people seem to hang up if our welcome recording comes on instead of a live voice, but we promise to return your message within a day or two if you leave one with your name and number.  It would be even better if you included your e mail address as well as the date and city of the class you are considering.  If leaving a voice mail message is not your thing, please email us at [email protected] or [email protected].

3001 Connecticut Avenue
NW Washington, D.C., 20008