Animal Enclosure Ruins
The abandoned enclosures of the old Griffith Park Zoo offer a rare mix of urban decay and lush greenery, where concrete grottoes, rusted bars, and overgrown cages create a hauntingly photogenic scene right in the middle of Los Angeles. The open-fronted animal dens are ideal for framing shots from inside looking out, using the curved concrete walls as natural frames around the surrounding trees and park visitors. You can also shoot straight into the dark recesses of the enclosures for moody, high-contrast images, especially on overcast days when soft diffused light reduces harsh shadows inside the structures. A wide-angle lens works well for capturing the full scale of the larger cages, while a 35mm or 50mm is great for tighter detail shots of weathered textures and peeling surfaces. The site is easy to reach on foot from the Crystal Springs picnic area, with no entrance fee and plenty of space to explore at your own pace. (Los Angeles, California, United States)
