Yes, it was taken using an iPhone

 If you work in your composition you can get pictures like this one taken with your iPhone. 

Pictures at a local zoo

 This weekend I visited a local zoo and here are some of the pictures I took there.

Florida Mountain Lion. This picture was taking through a glass, in post edition haze was eliminated and contrast increased.

Florida Fox Squirrel, Juvenile. This is an example of shooting through a chain-link fence. When you position the camera close enough to the fence, it becomes almost invisible in the image, allowing you to focus on the subject beyond.

Florida Coyote. Another example of shooting through a chain fence. The coyote eyes were edited to make them the central point of the picture.

Taking photos at a zoo can be a rewarding experience, offering the opportunity to practice wildlife photography in a controlled environment. Here are some tips to enhance your results:

1. Plan Your Visit

    Timing: Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when animals are more active and lighting is softer.
    Weather: Overcast days are ideal for even lighting without harsh shadows.
    Research: Check feeding times or special animal demonstrations for action shots.

2. Bring the Right Gear

    Lens Choice: Use a zoom lens (I used for this pictures my R6 with EF100-400L Mk2). For the wide angle shots I used an iPhone 16 Pro. 

Camera Settings:

•         Shoot in RAW: Offers flexibility in editing.
•         Shutter Speed: Use fast speeds to freeze animal movement (1/500s or faster for active animals).
•         Aperture: Use wide apertures (e.g., f/5.6) to blur backgrounds and isolate subjects.
•         ISO: Adjust to maintain proper exposure; higher ISO for dimly lit areas.

    Filters: A polarizing filter can help reduce reflections on glass.

3. Work with Composition

•     Focus on Eyes: The eyes are the most expressive and engaging part of an animal photo. I also spend some time editing the eyes in Lightroom Classic to make them stand out by brightening them.
  
•     Framing: Use natural elements like branches or rocks in the enclosure to frame your subject.
•     Perspective: Get at eye level with the animals for a more intimate perspective.

4. Overcome Challenges

    Fencing:
        Use a wide aperture and position the lens close to the fence to make it disappear in the background.
        Align the lens with gaps in the fencing.
    Glass Enclosures:
        Avoid reflections by shooting at an angle and placing the lens close to the glass.
        Clean the glass with a microfiber cloth if allowed.
    Crowds: Be patient and shoot when the crowd clears.

5. Capture Behavior and Details

    Photograph animals interacting, eating, or playing for dynamic shots.
    Focus on unique features like textures of fur, scales, or feathers.

6. Be Respectful

    Avoid using flash, as it can disturb animals.
    Respect barriers and zoo rules to ensure your safety and the well-being of the animals.

7. Post-Processing

    Edit your photos to enhance contrast, correct color, and crop out distracting elements.
    Use noise reduction tools if you had to shoot at high ISO.

About Canon Auto Focus

Forums are a tremendous source of information and, in some cases, even more helpful than YouTube for learning about photography and cameras. Maybe I’m just old school, preferring to read rather than watch tutorials. Recently, I’ve been following a thread on RF Shooters where we’ve been diving deep into discussions about Canon’s autofocus system and its various options.

Learn how to pose in few minutes

If you aspire to be a successful model, mastering posing is essential. I've spent countless hours browsing the web for inspiration and fresh ideas. Among women, it’s common to see the same leg and body positions repeated over and over. One typical pose involves resting the body weight on one leg, with the other leg (usually the front one) bent, and the foot poised on the toes.

While this pose can be effective, relying on it too often may cause your photos to lose appeal. Repetition can make photographers lose interest and stop engaging with your portfolio. Diversifying your poses keeps your work fresh and exciting, ensuring you stand out.  

Another common mistake I often notice among beginner models is standing still and waiting for the photographer to provide all the posing instructions. 

Here is a very short video that shows how to pose.

 

Notice how the model continuously changes positions. It’s the photographer’s job to capture the shot during the brief pauses between movements. Watch the video and practice some of the poses demonstrated by the model. Diversify your posing—don’t stick to the same repetitive, boring stance for every photo! For sure your online presence will become more appealing to photographers and friends. 

Practice on front of a mirror and soon you will posing like this:

 

PS. A professional Model is like a dancer. She performs a dance for the photographer. 

The Cons of being a Professional Photographer

 

Being a professional photographer has its rewards, but it also comes with several challenges. Here are some of the cons of pursuing photography as a career:

1. Unpredictable Income

• Photography work often comes in waves, with busy and slow periods.
• Freelancers, in particular, may find it difficult to maintain a consistent income.

2. High Initial and Ongoing Costs

• Professional-grade cameras, lenses, lighting, and other equipment are expensive.
• Constant need to upgrade gear or maintain equipment adds to costs.

3. Intense Competition

• The market is saturated with photographers at various skill levels, leading to fierce competition.
• Standing out requires exceptional skill, marketing, and a strong portfolio.

4. Physical Demands

• Long hours of shooting, carrying heavy equipment, and standing or crouching for extended periods can be physically taxing.
• Travel, often a requirement, can disrupt personal life and lead to fatigue.

5. Inconsistent Work-Life Balance

• Projects, especially weddings, events, or wildlife photography, may demand odd hours, weekends, or extensive travel.
• Balancing work with personal time can become challenging.

6. Client Management Stress

• Dealing with demanding or difficult clients can be stressful.
• Handling contracts, revisions, and disputes may detract from the creative aspect.

7. Creative Burnout

• Constantly needing to produce fresh and unique work can lead to exhaustion or a loss of inspiration.
• Pressure to meet client expectations while preserving personal artistic integrity can feel limiting.

8. Business Challenges

• Running a photography business involves accounting, marketing, taxes, and other administrative tasks.
• Not all photographers are naturally adept at the business side of things, which can hinder success.

9. Copyright and Usage Issues

• Ensuring that clients respect copyright agreements and don’t misuse images can be challenging.
• Protecting intellectual property often requires legal intervention, which is time-consuming and costly.

10. Lack of Benefits

• Freelance photographers do not typically have health insurance, retirement plans, or paid leave unless they arrange it themselves.
• This adds financial pressure and requires extra planning.

11. Weather and Location Dependencies

• Many types of photography rely on specific weather conditions or locations.
• Bad weather, poor lighting, or unforeseen circumstances can derail a shoot.

Despite these challenges, many professionals find the career deeply fulfilling because it allows them to pursue their passion and creative vision. If you’ve considered turning your hobby into a profession, these cons are worth evaluating alongside the rewards. Remember, Wildlife never complain about your photos.

Ready to see some good pictures

Photo contests serve as a powerful source of inspiration for photographers of all levels. By exploring contest entries, you can discover fresh perspectives, creative techniques, and unique compositions that may spark ideas for your own shoots. These contests often showcase a wide range of styles, subjects, and approaches, pushing you to think outside the box and experiment with new concepts. Additionally, analyzing the work of top entries or winners can provide valuable insights into what makes a photograph stand out, helping you refine your artistic vision and technical skills. Participating in these contests can also motivate you to set goals, step out of your comfort zone, and continually strive for improvement.

The Budapest International Foto Awards honors its winning photographers from around the world here.

Spiral At The Museum
Louis-Philippe Provost, Canada

A telephoto lens that has never existed before

 According PetaPixel, Sigma may be releasing in 2025 "a telephoto lens that has never existed before".

In an interview, Yazuto Yamaki, Sigma's CEO, said "..one of the products that excite me a lot is a telephoto lens that has never existed before...” 

Yamaki also said that this would be a lens targeting Sport and Wildlife photographers.