Photographer’s Guide to the Old Los Angeles Zoo
If you’re a photographer looking for a unique and historic location for your next shoot, the Old Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park may be just what you’re looking for. This abandoned zoo offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your photos, with its crumbling animal enclosures and eerie atmosphere. Learn how to make the most of this location with our guide.
Unearthing the History of the Old Los Angeles Zoo
The Old Los Angeles Zoo, once a bustling hub of exotic animals and curious onlookers, now lies nestled within Griffith Park as a captivating, open-air museum. The Old LA Zoo first opened its gates in 1912 with a mere 15 animals. Over the years, it expanded and evolved, ultimately housing more than 200 animals from various species. However, in 1966, the zoo relocated to its current site and became the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, leaving the original location abandoned in Griffith Park.
Explore the Haunting Beauty of the Abandoned Zoo Enclosures
The Old Los Angeles Zoo presents a myriad of distinctive scenes for photographers to explore and immortalize through their cameras. From the haunting charm of deserted animal enclosures to the remnants of a once-thriving amphitheater, the location teems with opportunities for creative compositions. As you meander through the eerie beauty of the site, take your time to discover the perfect angles and perspectives, experimenting with a range of lenses and camera settings to encapsulate the atmosphere of each location. While the rusting cages and decaying structures evoke a sense of nostalgia, inspiring reflections on days gone by, always prioritize safety and exercise caution when navigating these remnants of history.
Griffith Park is More than Just the Old LA Zoo
The Old Los Angeles Zoo is nestled within Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States. In addition to the Old LA Zoo, the park is home to several other historic and cultural attractions, like the iconic Griffith Observatory, the Greek Theatre, and the Travel Town Museum, all offering unique settings for photography. Throughout the year, the park hosts numerous events, including concerts and outdoor plays, providing dynamic subjects for event and lifestyle photography.
Griffith Park encompasses over 4,300 acres of natural terrain and recreational spaces, presents a vast array of picturesque locations for photography enthusiasts. The park’s diverse landscape, featuring lush forests, rolling hills, and rugged trails, offers ample opportunities for capturing stunning nature and wildlife images. Panoramic views of Los Angeles and its iconic landmarks, such as the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory, can be captured from various vantage points, providing striking urban backdrops for your photos.
Respect the Site and Leave No Trace
The Old Los Angeles Zoo serves as a haunting yet enchanting reminder of a bygone era, inviting visitors to step back in time and explore its fascinating past. Whether you choose to hike the trails, picnic amidst the historic ruins, or photograph the ghostly structures, the Old LA Zoo offers an unparalleled experience that resonates with the passage of time and the beauty of nature’s reclamation.
For photographers, it’s crucial to treat this historic site with respect, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Refrain from climbing on or damaging any of the structures, and adhere to posted signs or barriers indicating off-limits areas. Additionally, practice a leave-no-trace ethic by cleaning up after yourself and leaving the site as you found it. By doing so, you contribute to the ongoing enjoyment of this unique location for future photographers and generations to come.
How to Get to the Old Los Angeles Zoo
The Old Los Angeles Zoo is situated within the vast expanse of Griffith Park, in the northeastern region of the park near the Mineral Wells Picnic Area. To reach this fascinating historic site, enter Griffith Park through the main entrance at 4730 Crystal Springs Drive. Once inside the park, follow the signs to the Old LA Zoo or navigate towards the Merry-Go-Round parking lot, which is in close proximity to the zoo ruins. From the parking area, you will find a short and easily navigable trail that leads directly to the remnants of the Old LA Zoo. Public transportation options, such as the DASH Observatory bus, are also available for those without a car, although you may need to walk a bit further from the bus stop to reach the site. As you venture through Griffith Park to uncover the hidden gem that is the Old Los Angeles Zoo, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a map or use the free PIXEO App to find the Old Zoo’s location.
Photography Tips
Equipment
When planning a photography excursion to Griffith Park and the Old Los Angeles Zoo, it’s important to bring the right equipment to make the most of your experience. Consider packing the following gear:
- Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings will offer the greatest flexibility and control over your images.
- Lenses: A versatile selection of lenses is recommended as there are both interior and exterior locations to photograph. At a minimum bring a zoom lens, such as a 24–70mm or 18–55mm, is for capturing both wide-angle landscapes and tighter shots of interesting details. A fast shorter prime lens (18–50mm) with a wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8 or f/1.4) is also recommended for some of the low-light conditions and achieving a shallow depth of field.
- Tripod: We always say bring a tripod, but this time we really mean it. Make sure it is lightweight, however, as you will need to walk quite a bit. But, a sturdy tripod is essential for stability for long exposure shots, HDR photography, or capturing sharp images in low-light situations.
- Filters: Filters are the secret sauce to most landscape photography. Graduated Filters, Circular polarizing and neutral density filters are all recommended for darkening the blues in the sky, reducing reflections and glare, and allowing for more creative control over your images.
- Extra batteries and memory cards: Seems obvious, but people often forget. To avoid running out of power or storage during your shoot, pack additional fully-charged batteries and high-capacity memory cards.
- Lens cleaning supplies: A microfiber cloth and a small blower can help keep your lenses clean and dust-free.
- Comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing: Griffith Park offers diverse terrain and can have varying weather conditions, so wear comfortable shoes for walking or hiking and dress in layers to adapt to temperature changes.
By packing the right equipment, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable photography experience at Griffith Park and the Old Los Angeles Zoo.
When to Go
Start your day at Griffith Park at the Old LA Zoo. The Park itself is generally open daily from sunrise to sunset, with some areas accessible until 10:00 pm. Because of the Old Zoo’s facing, the lighting there will be better in the mornings. As the day continues you have a wide variety of options to explore or just take in the beauty of the area and explore what else the park has to offer.
As sunset and golden hour approach, Griffith Park offers numerous vantage points for capturing stunning sunset photography. One of the most popular and iconic locations is the Griffith Observatory. From the observatory’s vantage point, you can capture panoramic views of the city with the sun setting in the background, bathing the Los Angeles skyline in a warm, golden glow.
Another excellent spot for sunset photography is the Mount Hollywood Trail. This trail takes you to the top of Mount Hollywood, where you’ll find breathtaking views of both the city and the iconic Hollywood Sign. With an unobstructed view of the western horizon, this location provides an incredible backdrop for sunset images.
Conclusion
The Old Los Angeles Zoo serves as a haunting yet enchanting reminder of a bygone era, inviting visitors to step back in time and explore its fascinating past. Whether you choose to hike the trails, picnic amidst the historic ruins, or photograph the ghostly structures, the Old LA Zoo offers an unparalleled experience that resonates with the passage of time and the beauty of nature’s reclamation. Add to that the natural beauty and amazing locations in Griffith Park, and this photography destination is not to be missed.
Originally published at https://www.pixeoapp.com.
