Zoo Life - the animals, keepers and visitors

This picture is all about the light and the impact of light and shade as the cat's features are beautifully captured. The colour makes this image work and the soft background along with the straw tells us we are in a zoo.

A powerful image; the reason for the alopecia is unclear but the hairlessness makes the viewer stop and think. The environment looks stark and the glimpse of trees at the top suggests a bigger, wider world and further emphasises the confinement this image portrays.

Terrific 'seeing eye'! The silhouette is striking and immediately brings something different in approach to zoo photography. The shape of the giraffe works because of the separation of legs to give us a readily assimilated understanding. Well done and do try the approach again.

Such wonderful light! The leopard is bathed in a pool of light that creates a dark background to frame it perfectly. Yet almost overshadowed by the first impact of this shot is the collar and chain - something that raises welfare questions.

It is easy to imagine that apes are as interested in us as we are in them, when you make direct eye contact. This high contrast B&W image works on many levels; the casual caring attitude of mother towards infant; the simplicity of the image with a supressed background; the skilful use of side-lighting and of 'the look'.

This says 'zoo' in so many ways and invariably raises questions about good zoo vs. bad zoo. I love the magnificence of the tiger and the slight movement in the paw. The depth of field is terrific as it both suppresses the background but clearly shows the standard of accommodation.

A powerful and menacing stare expertly captured. I like the hint of light in the eyes. Chimps are big, strong animals and the body language looks relaxed and threatening at the same time. Black & white suits the image, as does the square format presentation.

It is all about the pleading eyes! This expertly processed image pulls our attention straight to the infant, with the mother's eyes offering compositional balance in a bold crop that makes effective use of negative space to heighten the impact.

For me the bubbles really make this work, as air escapes from the penguins feathers it leaves a splendid trail that adds to the sense of diving. The lighting and exposure have been handled well and the simplicity of the background adds impact.

A different viewpoint that tells another part of the zoo story; the public as keepers. The attention and care for the tapir is clear and I enjoy the expressions of the visitors in the background. The B&W conversion is quite harsh, perhaps reflecting the challenging light and I think this works well and suits the subject.

In many respects there are technical considerations that detract but on the other hand the strong composition and bold use of light shafts creates an emotional impact that I feel carry this image and make it worthy of mention. Selective darkening might deliver an image with wider appeal but we must all be brave and show images the way we see them.

This is my winner from a fine selection that really challenged me to make a final decision. It is a picture that drew me back to look at it again and again, primarily due to the compelling atmosphere, with soft subdued lighting. Within this the intense, fixating stare of the tiger made it my stand-out image.

A picture that readily invites an anthropomorphic response, but we must be careful in our response. The 'pleading' eyes illicit sympathy as we consider the 'plight' of this small monkey sitting in a rather run-down enclosure...or do they? The composition has skilfully reduced the scale of the animal to emphasise a sense of captivity, but whilst this picture makes us think, I guess we will never understand what the concept of 'captivity' means to animals.

A dramatic moment expertly captured both technically and compositionally. I love the sweep of water that brings the eye back around to the tigers' heads. The open jaw and those powerful canines really grab the attention. A very magic moment!

A picture that readily invites an anthropomorphic response, but we must be careful in our response. The 'pleading' eyes illicit sympathy as we consider the 'plight' of this small monkey sitting in a rather run-down enclosure...or do they? The composition has skilfully placed the animal against the bars of the cage to emphasise a sense of captivity, but whilst this picture makes us think, I guess we will never understand what the concept of 'captivity' means to animals.

Wow! ...a bold and very effective black and white conversion, given the impact of the mandrill's face is achieved through its redness. Yet this direct portrait holds our attention through the eyes and we connect in a completely different way.

A day at the zoo and a scene that will be repeated over and over as parents pose their children for a shot with the tiger. I love the uncertain but admiring glance of the little girl; perhaps a moment of inspiration that will lead to a life-long love of conservation. Image quality is excellent.

An unusual image that illustrates how post-processing can create images beyond the obvious. Here the photographer has used the zoo as a starting point for imagining creative images that offer a new and delightful interpretation. The scale of the monkey and bold corner-based composition work really well.

This picture has a great cinematic feel to it. The dramatic light and yawning tiger's gaping mouth add to the impact. The 'feel' of the picture has been created through an exceptionally small depth of field that has defocussed the background and almost made it look like a painted backdrop. The scene is straightforwardly 'zoo' but it has achieved a different perspective.

A truly wonderful portrait of an African elephant, which are far less common in zoos than their Indian counterparts. With exceptional quality, making the very best of the light to reveal colour and texture, the with tight framing adding to the impact of the composition.

Superb quality and a delightful composition. The playfulness of the infant is beautifully balanced by the mother's attentive gaze. The reduced colour palette means the red of the open mouth becomes even more attention-grabbing and this pulls you straight into the picture.

A truly superb shot that exploits the gentle curves and gestures of these two giraffes. The processing has simplified the background to deliver a very effective graphic approach. One of those magic moments we all hope for on a trip to the zoo.

Cute, cute, cute! Zoos thrive on the visitor attraction of new births and this picture of Marwell's Amur Leopard cub will surely increase visitor numbers. The impact comes from the blue eyes and the cautious 'expression' as the cub explores a new environment.

As with many of the other pictures, light has played a pivotal role in adding drama and impact. The composuition exploits the bird's natural shape and ruffled feathers to great effect. the exposure has been well handled and delivered both detail and a dark background.

An imaginative and different approach, exploiting slow shutter speeds to record blurred movement. The eye of the resting wolf is in a strong compositional position and the rest of the images pivots around this detail. Good use of depth of field adds to the final result.

This picture is all about the light and the impact of light and shade as the lion's features are beautifully captured. The black and white conversion has simplified the presentation and allows us to appreciate the lion without (colour) distractions.

This caught my attention because it shows a different and artistic approach. The black and white conversion works well and the black 'shapes' of keeper and walrus make a good visual link and the basis of a simple, effective composition.

I really enjoy the juxtaposition of the giraffes with their iconic surroundings to deliver an image that immediately says 'zoo'. The diagonal spilt of the composition and choice of depth of field work well. Looks like this is a zoo I need to visit!