For the second year in a row Aperture Academy has worked with San Jose Camera and Nikon to conduct a zoo workshop where participants get hands on experience with gear provided by Nikon. This year was even more special as we not only partnered up with Nikon but also with Canon! The amount of camera bodies and lenses available for students to try out was incredible!

Students arrived at the Aperture Academy at 5:30pm for an hour and a half wildlife presentation. Stephen covered a variety of topics and taught my examples of his images from Alaska, to the Galapagos and Africa -- providing many tips and tricks students could use the next day during the shoot at the zoo.

That next morning students arrived at 9:30am to check in and then the fun began!

Nikon and Canon both had their top-of-the-line gear there...and this wan't just for show, participants got to use it throughout the day. They just had to leave their Ferrari keys, and they could test drive the Nikon or Canon gear of their choice. Honestly, it was a simple checkout process and the participants where using the top of the line, Nikon and Canon equipment.

Aperture Academy was on hand to help out with any questions and offer tips on shooting the wildlife in a zoo setting. Ellie made her way to the Big Cats, with a 500mm prime beauty for folks to test drive. Paul started out with Nikon Paul at the Giraffe enclosure, with several big nikon guns.

Everyone made their way to Grizzly gulch, in anticipation of the 11:30am feeding. Then it was time for the humane feeding. A delicious lunch was served from 12:00pm-1:00pm. After lunch a couple of zoo volunteers brought out two lovely Llamas. The perfect opportunity to test out the macro and portrait glass. After a few Llama selfies, everyone made their way to the final stop with all the big glass... the Lowland Gorilla enclosure.

This exhibit has a new member, kabibe. Kabibe is a female and as adorable as they get. She was climbing all over her mother, playing her feet like a set of bongo drums. The most exciting thing to watch was Kabibe checking out the kids behind the glass. She was enamored with there precious little faces.

The clock quickly reached 3:00 and it was time to wrap it up and put another successful event in the books!

Until Next Time,

Stephen, Ellie, Paul and the rest of the Aperture Academy Team

If you'd like to join us at one of our workshops, you can find the schedule/sign up here.
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