Photo shoot tips?

I was curious if anyone has any ingenious ideas for getting your BP to sit nice and still when trying to take pictures in a light tent. Mine always seem chilled out when I'm holding them, then as soon as I put them down they wanna run for the hills.

Feed them 18 - 24 hours before, that way they will still be sluggish and slow and there will be little to no chance of a regurge

Have the light tent set up and the camera ready and do not hold them before the photo shoot.
I pick mine up when they are curled up in the tub and walk over and set them where I want them and start taking pictures as fast as possible, lol.
http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/a...3341Medium.jpg

i won't comment on the regurge "theory"....

Cool room temps can help a bit (not too cool either!!!) I some of mine will allow me to settle my hand over their head and they calm down (little dark cave) and I compose everything with my hand there and just pull it away and shoot. A dimly lit area where you are shooting can work as long as you are using a flash. No light = no picture. :rolleye2:

Never tried this one myself but I've heard it works miracles:

Take a metal bowl that you can fit the bal python in, put it in the fridge for like 5 minutes so that it's pretty cool. Place over your ball python, then remove after about 30 seconds and snap away, they should be sitting nice and still.

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Originally Posted by Alexandra V

Never tried this one myself but I've heard it works miracles:

Take a metal bowl that you can fit the bal python in, put it in the fridge for like 5 minutes so that it's pretty cool. Place over your ball python, then remove after about 30 seconds and snap away, they should be sitting nice and still.

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That actually sounds like a very good idea, I think I'll try that.

I just pick them up when they are curled up. If they are moving all around, they aren't going to sit still for you when you take pictures. Another thing I do is, if they have hides, pick them and the hide up and put it in my 'photo area'. I don't pick up the hide until I have all the setting on my camera ready to go.

I personally wouldn't try any 'tricks' they don't sound all that heathy/safe. There no reason you can't wait till they are curled up, they pretty much always are, and wait to take a picture till then. I've never done any tricks other than what I do and I have a lot of great pictures, but it did take me a while to get quick enough to take a bunch of pictures before they take off.

I usually like to take pictures after a short handling session especially with the more 'wiggly' snakes. My milksnakes take a few minutes to calm down, then they are ready for pictures.

The bowl idea is great too...although I don't 'chill' mine...just set a bowl on top of the snake, setup the camera, and start taking pictures as soon as the bowl is lifted.

I have seen many other ways too. Best is to just try things out to see what works best for you and your snakes. I have some snakes of the same species that are completely different to try to take pictures off. Some go into defensive posture right away...some try to run.

I have to say though....IMO ball pythons are one of the easier to photograph...great practice for other snakes :)

http://www.wildlifelouisianablog.com...6/100-1004.jpg

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

I usually like to take pictures after a short handling session especially with the more 'wiggly' snakes. My milksnakes take a few minutes to calm down, then they are ready for pictures.

The bowl idea is great too...although I don't 'chill' mine...just set a bowl on top of the snake, setup the camera, and start taking pictures as soon as the bowl is lifted.

I have seen many other ways too. Best is to just try things out to see what works best for you and your snakes. I have some snakes of the same species that are completely different to try to take pictures off. Some go into defensive posture right away...some try to run.

Wow! What a great picture!

I have to say though....IMO ball pythons are one of the easier to photograph...great practice for other snakes :)

http://www.wildlifelouisianablog.com...6/100-1004.jpg

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That is a great picture!!! I need some photo lessons.