Alright, photography enthusiasts and those of you who think you’re Ansel Adams reincarnated, gather 'round. Let me take you on a little journey back to a few months ago when I took my Canon R5 and EF L100 f2.8 Macro lens for a spin in the terrarium part of the zoo. Spoiler alert: it was a day filled with frogs, a lizard, and more humidity than a sauna in July. But hey, we photographers do what we must for the shot, right?
The Gear: Canon R5 and EF L100 f2.8 Macro Lens
First things first, let’s talk gear. I was armed with my Canon R5, a powerhouse of a camera that makes you feel like you could photograph the craters on the moon with it. Paired with it was the EF L100 f2.8 Macro lens, a piece of glass so sharp, it could probably cut through steel. This combo is like the dynamic duo of the photography world – Batman and Robin, but for pixels.
The Setting: Terrarium Challenges
Now, if you've ever been in a terrarium, you know it’s like walking into a tropical rainforest – it’s warm, humid, and everything is behind glass. Glass, by the way, is both a blessing and a curse. It protects the little critters from us but also loves to reflect every single light source available. So, step one: find your angles and avoid those pesky reflections.
The Subjects: Frogs and Lizards, Oh My!
Frog Friends
The first stars of the day were a couple of adorable frogs. These guys were just chilling on branches, probably contemplating their existence or thinking about their next meal. The beauty of using a macro lens is that you can get up close and personal without actually getting too close and personal. It’s like saying, “I respect your space, but let me capture your soul.”
In the first few shots, I focused on those incredible eyes. Frogs have this hypnotic gaze that’s just begging to be photographed. The trick here was to use a shallow depth of field to make the eyes pop while keeping the background deliciously blurry. This is where the f2.8 aperture works its magic.
Sleepy Frog
Then there was the sleepy frog. Honestly, this little guy looked like he was having the Mondayest of Mondays. Capturing this moment was all about patience and waiting for the right moment when the frog’s eyes were just perfectly in focus. It’s moments like these that remind you photography is as much about waiting as it is about clicking.
Camouflaged Frog
Next up was the camouflaged frog nestled among the leaves. This one was a bit of a hide-and-seek champion. The green on green made for a fascinating challenge. Here, the key was adjusting the ISO to make sure the details didn’t get lost in the shadows. The R5 handled it like a champ, producing vibrant colors without the dreaded noise.
The Lizard: A Pop of Color
To mix things up, I turned my lens towards a vibrant green lizard. This guy was striking a pose on a bamboo stick like he was auditioning for the next big reptile fashion show. Lizards are a bit more cooperative than frogs, mostly because they like to stay still and soak up the heat. This made it easier to frame the shot and play with the composition.
The challenge here was to balance the light. Terrariums can have harsh lighting, so adjusting the exposure was critical. Too much light, and the details get washed out; too little, and you lose the texture of those incredible scales.
The Takeaway: Patience and Precision
Shooting in a terrarium isn’t just about having the right gear; it’s about patience, precision, and a bit of luck. The environment can be tricky, but with a little bit of maneuvering and a lot of waiting, you can capture some truly mesmerizing shots.
In conclusion, if you’re planning a trip to the zoo with your camera, pack your patience along with your gear. Embrace the reflections, the humidity, and the unpredictable behavior of your subjects. And remember, the best shots often come when you least expect them. So keep clicking, keep experimenting, and most importantly, enjoy the process. After all, photography isn’t just about the final image; it’s about the adventure along the way.
Until next time, keep your lenses clean and your spirits high.
Shot with Canon EOS R5 and EF L100mm f2.8 Macro lens (Check BBPhoto for the gear I'm using!).
All photos are taken by me. If you want to know more, head to beheydt.be/photography or shor.by/BjB for more info.
Feel free to follow me on Instagram too! instagram.com/bjornbeheydt
Check out my NFT series as well, on OpenSea:
Or on Hive's own NFT Showroom:
