Neat BEL Pic

So, I'm learning how difficult it is to photograph white snakes :please:... Anyone got any tips??? I'm thinking of turning off one of the lights because you can see the pattern in the photos better when I turn down the brightness.

Here's one where I turned up the saturation and turned down the brightness so you can see the pattern in what I believe to be the Enchi Lesser Crystal (Baker Line).
http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/...psae0dda49.jpg

Here's my shot at the BEL pic on black background. I like the contrast, but I really want to capture the scalation.
http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b560286.jpg

Tips/Suggestions for a newbie photographer please :please:...

Thanks!
- Travis

PS.. this boy shed :D:D:D..
http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0999fb8d.jpg

I'm going to follow this. Hoping to hear some experience words of wisdom. I after all have a nice white snake :)


Sent from iPhone 5 using tapatalk :)

While the first pic looks really awesome as a picture, I always try to take pictures that accurately reflect the snake, especially if I'm selling it. So just something to keep in mind IMO.

As for your second one, it's over exposed. What are you using for a light source? Flash, light box, lamps, etc?? Especially with white snakes, its easy to have too much light wash them out. What I like to do is to bounce the flash off the ceiling (using Nikon D40 with SB40 flash), with just normal lights on. That really just illuminates the room and your subject without blasting it with a bunch of light.

Here is an example of the bounce flash on a BEL I hatched a few years ago on black background. This one is probably a little underexposed, but you can still see the detail of the scales, while still giving an accurate idea of his coloration.

All this being said, I'm no expert, have never taken a photo class, but have just figured things out with a lot of trial and error and reading around.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/14cc479f.jpg

I managed to get some ok ones trying different backgrounds like greys and blues if that helps?

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...erMonday02.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...4/OddBEL06.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f.../BabyBEL02.jpg

Try using multiple light sources to highligh texture as well maybe?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blue Apple Herps

While the first pic looks really awesome as a picture, I always try to take pictures that accurately reflect the snake, especially if I'm selling it. So just something to keep in mind IMO.

As for your second one, it's over exposed. What are you using for a light source? Flash, light box, lamps, etc?? Especially with white snakes, its easy to have too much light wash them out. What I like to do is to bounce the flash off the ceiling (using Nikon D40 with SB40 flash), with just normal lights on. That really just illuminates the room and your subject without blasting it with a bunch of light.

Here is an example of the bounce flash on a BEL I hatched a few years ago on black background. This one is probably a little underexposed, but you can still see the detail of the scales, while still giving an accurate idea of his coloration.

All this being said, I'm no expert, have never taken a photo class, but have just figured things out with a lot of trial and error and reading around.

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Thanks for the reply! I use a light box with 2 bright lights on either side. That's why I was suggesting perhaps turning one off, and having less light. I'll try bouncing the light off another source though to soften it, and try to keep the snake illuminated. I definitely sacrifice exposure for detail and accurate colors. Thanks again!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

I managed to get some ok ones trying different backgrounds like greys and blues if that helps?

Try using multiple light sources to highligh texture as well maybe?

---

I tried a white background, and I wasn't too happy with it, as my photos came out grainy or over-exposed. I tried black this time, and although I feel it's a step in the right direction, it's still not exactly what I want. I have red and blue still, I'll give those a try, along with the suggestion by Blue Apple Herps.

That's a good idea to try to bounce the light. You could also try draping some white cloth over the lights to make a diffuser of sorts to help soften the light. You just want to avoid having a "spotlight" on the snake by blasting it with a ton of light. But experiment with different bulbs, pointing light different ways, bouncing light of other surfaces, etc. trial and error is how I figured it out and is a great learning experience.

Light and white balance are the key.
Play around with both till you get the look you're after

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...E/DSC_1229.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...E/DSC_1237.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...E/DSC_1239.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by h00blah

Here's one where I turned up the saturation and turned down the brightness so you can see the pattern in what I believe to be the Enchi Lesser Crystal (Baker Line).
http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/...psae0dda49.jpg

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I really love this shot, can you do a few more using this technique?