taking pics????

last week i purchased a Canon Powershot S3 IS. It has 12 op zoom, 6 mp, macro and super macro, and i bought a 2 gig high speed SD card for it. i have had some time to frig around with it and have taken a few good shots of my snakes. however, i always see great looking pictires on this site and was wondering what tips u guys/gals could give a newbie. for example, what type of lighting is best, anything to help me on my way. here is one of my favorites of my anery corn i purchased a few weeks ago. :)

thanks, nate

http://www.reptilescanada.com/forums...tid=1312&stc=1

Here's a couple of threads that explain how to show pics on this forum... :)


http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=28289

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=18760

Hope those help.

JLC, LOL i know how to post a picture. i just want to know any hints or tricks on how to get my snakes to look great in the picture. for ex what type of lighting is best, background to best show off there colors and paterns and so on. :)

LOL...well, I would have offered advice on that if I had it. My "good" pictures are due to sheer luck.


But I saw the "broken" pic in the post and thought I'd throw those links out there. :oops:

broken picture?

Digital camera's nowadays are pretty error proof. Set it to auto-focus and shoot away...Background I guess depends on the color of the snake. Can't go wrong with white or black for most. Leather furniture is always good. Hardwood floors are always good too...Best advise would be to play around with it and take lots of pics. Photoshop also helps to crop, resize and do other little things...I also wouldn't worry about additional lighting, just use the flash and normal room lighting...


This one was taken on top of a black rack...throws a cool diffused reflection under the snake...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...0/sydblck8.jpg

This one was taken on a leather sofa...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3.../floydwht2.jpg

This was taken on my deck...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a386/sho220/gyp3.jpg

Sho220 those are some cracking pics. That 1st one is a corker :O great looking snakes as well which always helps ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakey68

Sho220 those are some cracking pics. That 1st one is a corker :O great looking snakes as well which always helps ;)

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Thanks snakey...gotta give most of the credit to the models :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by new2BP

broken picture?

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new2BP,

I'm guessing that when you view this thread, you can see the pic you attempted to post. I can't, and apparently JLC can't either. My guess is the pic you are seeing is being pulled from your computer, which we can't access.

Steve

Hey Nate,

I can see your pic, it's not bad... and playing around in photoshop (shadow/highlight in particular) will make it much better.

Sho220 makes some excellent points about composition and practise as well. If you have a manual focus option that is easy to use, I'd suggest going with that. You'll be better able to capture quick tongue flicks, and get the part of the snake you want in crystal clear focus. Takes more practise, but you'll be happier and more confident with your results.

Can't wait to see your results. That's a sweet optical zoom.

P.S. ditto on the great pics Sho

A bunch of people here use professional or "ghetto" ( :) ) light tents. I haven't gotten around to messing with it but will this winter while things are slow. My pictures are arse still.

hey nate,
besides the great tips listed already, the key to presenting great photos, is great editing skills. If you take lots and LOTS of pics, you will have lots to choose from. It is likely that the handful of shots you select to post for us, will be stunners! Hint: If you are having trouble picking your absolute favorite shots, you are on the right track.

So if you want to post say...10 shots, take 100 and select the absolute best. Then you will always have great photos. Dont forget to crop, cut, resize, etc. I personally know nothing about photoshop effects, I just crop mine.

Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sho220

Thanks snakey...gotta give most of the credit to the models :D

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your welcome it always helps to have such beautiful models ;)

the only criticism and its very small is the picture is slightly over exposed and you can see what looks like your reflection in the eyes .........that aside though I think it is a beautiful capture.......... keep it up :)

thanks, i try and remember all your tips. each day i have my camera out practicing with it. i have probably taken around 700 shots sence monday evening. some good some bad, some terrible LOL. after i get somewhat familiar with my camera i want to try some photshop stuff because i know thats a big bennifit. last night i was frigging around with water, i got 3 or 4 good shots of water drops coming out of the tap. thanks again.