Central Park Zoo – Photography Guide

Pack a flexible lens; the zoo is compact but varied.

Shoot with intention: action, portrait, and environment frames for each exhibit.

Shot List

• Sea lion leap from the front-left rail.
• Penguins through side glass (reflections reduced).
• Grizzlies mid-enrichment.
• Snow leopard profile in soft light.
• Tropic Zone canopy silhouettes from the upper path.

Composition Tricks

• Use rails and archways as leading lines.
• Wait for negative space around moving animals.
• Include visitors for scale and story.

Nearby Frames

• The Pond: skyline + bridge composition.
• Gapstow Bridge: photogenic curve.
• The Mall: symmetry and portraits.
• Delacorte Clock: capture moving figures during a tune.

Golden hour warms the plaza; winter light is crisp and flattering.