When I try to engage the zoom feature the only way I get it is by tapping all over the bottom of the screen. Which takes several pictures that are useless. By the time it does work the opportunity for the picture is gone
I'm guessing you mean that you're using a smartphone to take photos.
How you zoom may depend on which phone you're using. For example, on an iPhone, you pinch to zoom. It's hard to tell you more without knowing what model you are using.
The best way to zoom is to simply move closer to what you're taking a picture - you'll get better image quality than using zoom.