How do I fix the photo setup? - oh and snake pics inside

[dr del]

Hi,

I'm getting ready to sell my two little males but wanted some good pictures of them first.

I was trying to fake some of the great photo ideas I have seen on this site but on the cheap without buying any special stuff - I don't think its going to work so wondered if you knowledgeable folks could spell out what I need to to take the photo's of my dreams.

I still can't work the camera to the extent most of the shots were out of focus - so a tripod is the first thing on the list when the money arrives.

anyway here are the pics;

was trying to replicate the gorgeous belly reflection shots I've seen on here. It seems an old beat up mirror, some tank lids complete with scrapes balanced on some books,an old silk shirt as a background, a small desk lamp laid on its side and a spare 30" strip light (spectrum unknown) just won't cut it. So how much should I try and save to get a better layout for these types of shot?



In the last shot and in this one can anyone suggest tips to avoid a reflection in the glass layer while keeping the mirror layer?

Wanted this one to look like he was doing his "yogic flying" lessons.



Think this one came out ok but I'm going to have to work on learning how to set the white point overall.




Needless to say I have to go though all this again with the other hatchling.




dr del

[Nordinho]

Hi Derek.
The last photo is perfect to me. Maybe a little too light. I don't know if you can setthe shuttertime of your cam, but if you can you can try to have a short shuttertime. As a result your pics will be much sharper. A tripod works ok too, with the benefit that you don't have too use the flash. This way the colours of your pictures will be so much warmer! (compare the first and the second photo)
Good luck with your pictures. Beautifull snake by the way

[juddb]

Great photos man. I have a digital camera, it doesnt suck, but i think i just suck at taking pictures....

[dr del]

Thanks.


Here's the other little man. I found extra settings on the camera but it doesn't seem to update the screen correctly so it's a bit hit or miss at the moment.

back pattern;


Belly shot;


Miffed at being upside down;




So just to double check before I sell these guys they are both just normals yeah? Would hate to keep a normal female only to find I could have made something fun with these two.

Am going to try and lose the mirror to see if I can get better results recording their patterns.


dr del