Photography Set Up?

So many gorgeous professional types of shoots on these boards, and my question is... how! :) I'd love to see pictures of your picture set ups, pulled back so we can see how it's done, if anybody doesn't mind. My snakes are pretty energetic and long! It's hard to get them on a flattering surface and to pose for pics.

How do you guys do it, how big is the space and how is the lighting set up? Lamps specifically for it? Is it something set up somewhere? Or something you take out for picture time? Inquiring minds would love to know! :)

Oo! *raises hand energetically* I can tell ya!
First off, you want a light box. This can be as simple as a cardboard box with cut outs, to a professional looking pvc frame with a nice white cloth surrounding it. (What I use for easy dismantling)
Then you put a "daylight" bulb in an 11" dome, and place it on top to diffuse the light, for less glare and softer shadows.
Then you throw in a white poster board, adjust your lighting to make it bright, throw a snake on (preferably cold) and snap away!. I can post pics of our setup if you'd like, no prob.
*psst* I'll even make you a box for a blue beauty... ;)

There are a couple threads on how to take pictures...

One by cueball:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=50073

And one by AndrewH:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=37183

I've put up a quick how-to in BP photography.

Jack posted a pretty good thread on this recently

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=52935

JoeH

Thanks guys! I know how to take pics, it's mostly how to get the nice solid background and lighting done I'm curious about. I'm a very visual person, so pics help a lot!

And lol, littleindiangirl, I was confused by the term lightbox at first as we do have one... for inking artwork! So I'm thinking "Wait, how does the light box fit into all that? I don't think our light box is big enough for the snakes!" lol! Now I see what you mean, thank you!

That's funny, i didn't even think about that one. I use both terms interchangably... So how about that blue beauty??? :D:D

After Ma-tsu gives a good shed, I will give it a shot! :D

Indoors what helped me a lot is I went and got a couple of 5 dollar desk lamps at Target. I then got two 60 watt GE "Reveal Lightbulbs" for them. This lets me adust the lamps with the flexible shafts to control where light comes from and the reveal bulbs are great and bringing out color.

Indoors I mostly do not worry about back grounds and just remove hides etc and takes shots in a tub. I do my "natural" shots outside in a bush or a tree and just make sure the sun is right for the shot. Natural light is best when you have the option. That said I am not comfortable putting Tai in a tree, he is too fast, (I imagine you feel the same about your gal and guy). If I wanted to do great indoor work I would get a box, paint the inside white and kit it up with some fake plants and logs from the hobby shop. Then with my lights I could get the lighting right.

For a camera I use a Sony Alpha and it is just wonderful. I also recommend a Tripod for your camera. No matter how steady you are free hand you can be better with a tripod. My Alpha even has anti shake built in and I still use a pod for real close in work.

Clean lenses are the easiest thing to do that makes your shots the best but often over looked. One thing for certain you need a good DSLR for the best results. Even an older 6MB Nikon or Cannon is better in my opinion then a point and click 200 dollar off the shelf 8mp job. It is not just about mega pixels, it is about control, focus and clarity.

imo, good even lighting. twice as bright as you think you need. light bulbs, i like power compact bulbs. less heat and watts and come in different temperatures or color of light. 5000K-5500K mimics daylight really well. a basic tripod(15-20 bucks). these are most important to me, more than the cam. any 2-3 meg cam can take pics good enough for the net. if you want extreme macros or very large prints, bigger than 8x10. be ready to spend some$$.


vaughn