Picture set ups

[Sevo]

I was wondering what some of you are using as back ground or set ups for your snake pictures on your websites. I have 2 great camera ( digital canon 30D and a digital canon XTI silver ). Both are worthy of taking fantastic pictures, i just dont know what type of back ground or back drop to use.

I dot know if I am making clear what I am asking for.. Let me know if I am not.

[python.princess]

my favorite is outside in the grass! beautiful light and contrast in color. i've never seen anybody on here do this, but i think it would be really cool to snap a pic with the snake on a mirror! maybe i'll have to try that... otherwise, any cloth, table, any surface really that contrasts nicely with their color will work!

[jessie_k_pythons]

I use a black cloth with a piece of glass ontop. or a nice white cloth. depends on my mood and how I want the colors to come out lol. I dont take my snakes outside any more due to the Chiggers, fire ants and the little mites that have infested my whole street.

[panthercz]

Endless options for photography, but I tend to stick with a basic black or all white. As both showcase the subject, not the scenery, which is what you want in a "product" shot. You can do whatever you want though, red, yellow, green, blue, or any prop you can think of etc. Endless options...

For white go with seamless paper something like Savage 'Super White'. Examples of snakes on white seamless:




For black you can just paint something smooth a flat black and then angle it so you don't see anything else, or shoot it in a darkened room with nothing behind it so you don't see anything else, or get a black backdrop. For a black backdrop I use Civichrome Velour from Amnova.com
You can also find black acrylic to add a reflection or just put a clear piece of plastic over a black base and get a reflection.
Examples of snakes on flat black and black acrylic:



Last 2 pictures aren't the best because I wasn't using the proper lens but it gives you a good idea.

If you shoot outside in the grass, on a log, branch etc. Don't do it in the full sun. Either use a diffuser, or shoot in the shade, or do it on a overcast day or morning or evening. Just whenever you won't have such harsh lighting or can provide a even and diffuse light.

[Sputnik]

Up under that tree line is where I take my shots.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/100_1080.jpg

Example!


http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../Granite02.jpg


http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...Misc/Hypo1.jpg


http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...mports/Oj1.jpg

[Sevo]

thank you to everyone for the ideas. It really helps out.

Endless options for photography, but I tend to stick with a basic black or all white. As both showcase the subject, not the scenery, which is what you want in a "product" shot. You can do whatever you want though, red, yellow, green, blue, or any prop you can think of etc. Endless options...

For white go with seamless paper something like Savage 'Super White'. Examples of snakes on white seamless:




For black you can just paint something smooth a flat black and then angle it so you don't see anything else, or shoot it in a darkened room with nothing behind it so you don't see anything else, or get a black backdrop. For a black backdrop I use Civichrome Velour from Amnova.com
You can also find black acrylic to add a reflection or just put a clear piece of plastic over a black base and get a reflection.
Examples of snakes on flat black and black acrylic:



Last 2 pictures aren't the best because I wasn't using the proper lens but it gives you a good idea.

If you shoot outside in the grass, on a log, branch etc. Don't do it in the full sun. Either use a diffuser, or shoot in the shade, or do it on a overcast day or morning or evening. Just whenever you won't have such harsh lighting or can provide a even and diffuse light.

Very professional looking pictures, that is what I am lookin for. Thank you for sharing your ideas. I have a couple of questions for you if you dont mind?

Are you using a flash or some sort of back lighting? The shadows are very reduced... how are you achieving that?

Would you mind taking a shot of your set up? birds eye view I guess ( as you can see I am a visual learner.)

What lenses are you using?

What are your camera settings?

I really like the black on white back grounds, the black with a reflection is great.

Thank you again for your help.. it really helps me out.