Photographing San Francisco: Digital Field Guide

Chapter 27. San Francisco Zoo

A photo of a pink flamingo taken at the San Francisco Zoo on an overcast summer day. Taken at ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/2000 second with a 400mm lens.

Why It's Worth a Photograph

There's a lot to see in this urban oasis nestled against the Pacific Ocean. The San Francisco Zoo is home to a stunning botanical collection as well as more than 250 species of animals, many of which are highly endangered. From the smallest insects to the tallest giraffe, you're sure to find a story that touches your heart and inspires you. When you look at great photographs of animals, you automatically imagine a photographer and the exotic and distant places he must have traveled to capture such wonderful photos. Although a lot of the animal photographs you see are taken in the wild, many wonderful animal pictures are taken at the zoo! Zoo animals make wonderful subjects because they live a more sheltered life than their brothers in the wild. The animals you find in the zoo tend to be in good shape without cuts, scratches, and nicks that cover the faces of those still in the wild. Why is it worth a photograph? The zoo gives you a chance to photograph a wild animal in a protective environment and still capture the essence of that animal.

Where Can I Get the Best Shot?

There are many wonderful animals at the San Francisco Zoo (see A on the map). My recommendation is to get the zoo map and ...