Photographing bally pythons on black glass

[piedlover79]

I thought I would share this trick with you guys. I've gotten some great shots of ball pythons (particularly light colored snakes) using this. Get a piece of glass (art stores sell sheets of glass for frame that work perfect). Use black acrylic paint and a sponge brush and paint one side of the glass black, you'll need to do several thick coats to get the paint to cover fully. Flip the glass over and place the snake on top of the clean side, when you photograph place a paper towel in front of the flash to disperse the light so you don't see the flash in the glass. This gives a great effect.

Here are some shots I've done this way.

[se7en]

nice! very pro looking shots.

[Albert Clark]

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to try it.

[piedlover79]

Thanks guys!

I like the touch of reflection that it gives.

I need to get a new piece of glass to take some pics of my 'pixel' pied like this....he's too big for the glass I have now because he does *not* like to hold still!

[Alicia]

That technique is fantastic. Black acrylic sheets work really well, also, for anyone who has them lying around (although the acrylic is prone to scratching)

[PitOnTheProwl]

I need to get a new piece of glass to take some pics of my 'pixel' pied like this....he's too big for the glass I have now because he does *not* like to hold still!

Some people put a bowl over then and then remove the bowl right before the shot........ When I try it they are usually looking the wrong way.

[piedlover79]

Heehee. I will have to try the bowl trick....but he's a quick one! The most active ball python I've ever had. I know some people will put their snakes in the fridge for a few minutes to make them slow down but I'm not interested in stressing him like that.

[dr del]

You can also use a sheet of clear glass on supports above the black glass to make it look like they are floating.

With the right lighting you can get both top pattern and belly pattern in the same pic.

[piedlover79]

Oooooo! Do you have any examples of that tech?

Usually if I want top and bottom in the same pic I just use a mirror, but I like the floating idea.

[se7en]

Heehee. I will have to try the bowl trick....but he's a quick one! The most active ball python I've ever had. I know some people will put their snakes in the fridge for a few minutes to make them slow down but I'm not interested in stressing him like that.

there is no way in hell i'd put any of my animals in a fridge