>>4499088The subject is backlit, so it will always come out darker in this composition. If that's not your intention, then you want to position yourself so the sun is on the front of the subject in order to light it better. That doesn't necessarily mean that this image is a loss. In post, you can raise shadows to make the subject more visible, and even change the tint on the background to give it some color. Or, when dealing with high contrast images like this, you can sometimes make it look better by converting it to a black and white, then play with the sliders to make more of an artistic image. If you ever come across an image you think isn't good, take some artistic liberties with it, as it may could turn into something more impactful.
I don't shoot with flash either and position myself to the sun in order to light the subject as I desire. In a setting like the Zoo it's a little more difficult to achieve as you're following a set path. Explore different positions when you're in the wild and have more range of motion to maneuver yourself in relation to the subject.
Regarding post processing, if you're looking for free applications, there's RawTherapee and and Darktable—there's are two of the most recommended free platforms, but the learning curve is steep. I don't like subscription models like lightroom or photoshop myself, so I use Gimp as a photoshop replacement (free), and I did a one-time purchase for ACDSee Ultimate 2026. ACDSee often goes on sale and you can nab it for $100. It comes with its own ai denoise model so you don't have to buy an extra one like Topaz.
Here's two examples of your image in post; one with shadows raised and background tint, and another black and white.
