Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue May 31, 2005 9:10 pm

OMaha World Herald wrote:Dr. Lee Simmons, the zoo director, credited the zoo's new Orangutan Forest with attracting 50,820 visitors Friday through Monday.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:06 pm

Nice pictures, I need to go.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:19 pm

OmahaZoo.com wrote:Calling all photographers!

Challenge yourself to take the ultimate Zoo photo and enter the Omaha Zoo’s Photo Challenge, January 2-February 10! Bring your camera to the Zoo during this timeframe, and take your best shot! Once you have your best photo, send it to Zoo’s Photo Challenge at 3701 S. 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68107. Please submit a 5” X 7” print, un-mounted with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and age taped to the back of the photo. Photos will not be returned.

Your photo will be displayed in the Wild Kingdom Pavilion February 11 through March 5. Visitors will vote on the best photo in four different categories: plant, animal, people and scenery. All participants will receive a prize, and grand prizes will be awarded to the top three photos in each category. For more information, please call (402) 738-2038.

eOmaha Photo Meet at the Zoo?

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:22 pm

Video gives visitors a piece of the Omaha zoo

Omaha World Herald wrote:Scott von Freiberg of Omaha worked with the zoo's director and marketing department to produce the comprehensive look at current exhibits, segments on the zoo's history and the building of such architectural marvels as the Lied Jungle.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:29 pm

This has been available at the zoo for at least 6 months now (maybe even longer).

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:34 pm

I'll be there Saturday taking pictures for this contest. Photos are limited to 5X7's so that means no Panorama pics for me. Too bad this contest is running during the winter as the outdoor gardens are out of season. The sceney category will have to be all indoors as well.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:08 pm

Cool! I'll have to snap a few shots!

Asten · Post by **Asten** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:38 pm

Coyote wrote:Video gives visitors a piece of the Omaha zoo

Omaha World Herald wrote:Scott von Freiberg of Omaha worked with the zoo's director and marketing department to produce the comprehensive look at current exhibits, segments on the zoo's history and the building of such architectural marvels as the Lied Jungle.

I saw this the last time I was down there a month or so ago.... I was extremely tempted to buy it, but $30 for 42 minutes was too far into the "you're kidding, right?" price range.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:44 pm

All in all it’s great publicity for Omaha.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:57 pm

I saw this the last time I was down there a month or so ago.... I was extremely tempted to buy it, but $30 for 42 minutes was too far into the "you're kidding, right?" price range.

Same here. While the zoo is definately a marvel, I don't see a lot of market for this video.

Now, a video that starred a National Geographic Photographer teaching a seminar to get the best photographs of our zoo would be something I couldn't resist picking up.

Asten · Post by **Asten** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:50 pm

bradley414 wrote:
I saw this the last time I was down there a month or so ago.... I was extremely tempted to buy it, but $30 for 42 minutes was too far into the "you're kidding, right?" price range.
Same here. While the zoo is definately a marvel, I don't see a lot of market for this video.

Now, a video that starred a National Geographic Photographer teaching a seminar to get the best photographs of our zoo would be something I couldn't resist picking up.

Oh, i think there's a market - maybe at $15. Not at $30.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:33 pm

Ok, I went to the zoo last weekend and took a few hundred pictures. Out of all the animals I shot, I am stuck deciding between these two to enter into the contest.

Contest is based on public votes, so tell me, which of these two pictures would you vote for?

Thanks in advance for your input.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:44 pm

i think the first one is very striking. The tiger staring right at the camera draws your eye too it. I like the second one as well, but think the first one would do better in the contest.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:10 pm

Wow Bradley, great stuff there, if I get over there to shoot pics, you've set the bar extremely high. Of the two, I'd also go with the tiger, amazing picture. Great job.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:17 pm

I love both of them, but since I HAVE to choose one I would pick the tiger one. Good luck to you Chris.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:19 pm

Tiger shot is a MUCH better composition, and not nearly as cliched as the eagle (not to say it isn't a nice photo).

BUT, you might be able to win a public opinion contest if you Photoshop in a yellow ribbon and maybe a Bush/Cheney '04 sticker somewhere. ;)

-Big E

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:28 pm

I’d say the kitty 1

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:02 pm

I prefer wide angle lenses, which sort of disqualifies me from this contest by default ("I swear officer, I just climbed into the cage to get a wide angle shot of the penguin").

That being said, I like the first one.

The second one is really good also, but the first one is much more unique.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:06 pm

Pretty soon will be able to take pics of pandas yay.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:13 pm

Thanks for the comments guys. All the feedback I have been getting points to the tigers.

Since I blew the highlights in this bird image, it didn't make the cut:

Pic I'm entering in the plants category:

And the Scenery category:

ladyred · Post by **ladyred** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:16 pm

Brad,
For what it is worth I think the Tiger picture is great!!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:22 pm

Those are great pics, Bradley! Wags is right, you're really setting the bar high for the rest of us grunts!

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 10:18 pm

Message
almighty_tuna
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 10:22 pm Post subject:
Those are great pics, Bradley! Wags is right, you're really setting the bar high for the rest of us grunts!

Funny you should say that, I was most interested in this contest because my wildlife and birding pictures were never that good (IMO). I thought this would be a good opportunity to experiment and practice.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 10:47 pm

Nice work!

David Mangelsen would be proud.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:21 am

bradley414 wrote:
Message
almighty_tuna
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 10:22 pm Post subject:
Those are great pics, Bradley! Wags is right, you're really setting the bar high for the rest of us grunts!
Funny you should say that, I was most interested in this contest because my wildlife and birding pictures were never that good (IMO). I thought this would be a good opportunity to experiment and practice.

Haha, you are such a show off man.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:33 am

both are great pics brad, I'd love to see more of your zoo shots if you feel like sharing.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:42 am

Those are fantastic pictures bradley..If I had to choose, I'd go with the Tiger..

Very impressive

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:10 pm

I think the coolest thing I ever saw at the zoo was in the old gorilla house these to gorillas were figthing. And I mean fighting! They were throwing each other into the glass and roaring. Definantly wish I had a camera then.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:31 pm

I went to the zoo today, I think this is the animal pic I'm gonna send in, not sure yet. I'll post a few more later, I'm gonna go watch football.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:23 am

VERY impressive as well wags..

Nice pic

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:35 pm

Thanks Lou! Heres a couple more shots just for kicks.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:04 pm

one thought about all the tiger shots. While all the pics on here I've seen have been great, I wonder if another shot might be better for a competition. I'm just thinking that the tigers have to be one of the easier animals to shoot at the zoo, so the numbers of such enteries may be greater. Therefore, one may do better in selecting another shot to distinguish one's self. Just a thought.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:22 pm

Yeah I thought about that too, nebport. I will give ya that it is the cats are easier to work with due to cats being lazy and holding still.

Those darn monkeyes are like kids on too much sugar!

I kinda was flying through the zoo, I didn't get there till 2 and they close at 5, 3 hours isn't enough time at all, IMO. Plus this time of year, the choices are a little more limited because they have some of the animals put away for winter. I don't even know if I'm really going to enter anything to the zoo cause I'm lazy like those cats.

If I do, I'm thinking this will be my plant pic.

For senic, Im thinkin one of these two, prolly the first one.

Heres about the best monkey shot of the day.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:41 pm

Nice work guys!

As I mentioned briefly in another thread, I got a Nikon D70S for Christmas. My wife has all sorts of 'analog' lenses for an N90S... so I'm set. Unfortunately, I just demonstrated that nice equipment doesn't ensure nice results. I have alot to learn, especially where flash photography is concerned. Anyone recommend any good books?

I spent most of my time trying to get this guy to smile for me.

Maybe I'll go back sometime during my lunch hour to try again.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:44 am

I really like that second photo. Crop out the trunk and its a real spooky look.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:53 am

wags..Once again, VERY high quality photgraphy..

Same goes for you Jeff..

It really amazes me how many talanted photographers we have on this forum..

..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:46 am

Nice shots Jeff, I'm with Tuna, that last one is kinda freaky, good stuff. I also ended up with more blurry shots in the rainforest, the lighting isn't the best in there, and you cant really set up a tripod on the pathway without making a ton of people angry.

Thanks again Lou, I still have lots to learn, but getting a little better. Your right about the level of forumers photography though, I see the other guys shots, and it pushes me to do that much better.

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:29 am

I have alot to learn, especially where flash photography is concerned. Anyone recommend any good books?

No book will teach you as much as trial and error. Are you using on camera flash or External? I always hear so much applause for the Nikon SB800 Flash.

I couldn't read your ISO information in your EXIF, but my guess it was set to 200. Flash fall off is exponential, especially at great distances. I would have set the ISO to 400 or even 800. You have a DSLR now, which handles noise at high ISO just fine. The D70s also has Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) and maybe FEC +1 would have helped a little.

If you have no idea what I just said, read your manual and experiment in your house.

BTW, the St Cecilia/Lauritzen Garden Flower Festival is coming up. That would be a good place to learn flash techniques. I'll be there taking pictures, and would be happy to give some flash instructions.

I went to the zoo today, I think this is the animal pic I'm gonna send in, not sure yet. I'll post a few more later, I'm gonna go watch football.

Those are great shots wags!

Nice shots Jeff, I'm with Tuna, that last one is kinda freaky, good stuff. I also ended up with more blurry shots in the rainforest, the lighting isn't the best in there, and you cant really set up a tripod on the pathway without making a ton of people angry.

I can't count how often I get people mad at me for using a tripod in tight places in the Kingdoms of the Night below the Desert Dome. I had to point out to one lady who told me I was being rude that her stroller took up more space then my tripod.

What's even better is use an external flash in the Croc Swamp. Set the FEC to +3, ISO to 100 and watch that light blind everyone in the room

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:28 pm

In the interest of saving space, I'm showing up this week with Alien Bees strapped to my back like a carrot on a stick!!

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:17 pm

You have Alien Bees? I'm thinking of purchasing a set in the near future. This set here: http://www.alienbees.com/busy.html What wattage you have? What do you think of them? Do you shoot with umbrella's or softboxes? Do you use them for locations with battery packs? (I think you can tell that I really want to buy some!)

Currently for locations, I use my Sigma DG 500 Super mounted on a light stand with an umbrella tethered to my 20D. I think I 'm going to pick up the 580EX so I can use a battery pack at weddings.