Suggestions Please

Alright, as some of you may know or have seen, I have been working on different backgrounds, etc for the "Collection" pics on my new site that is in the works. I am only going to use pictures with these backgrounds for collection pictures and I will use a plain white or black background for availables. The site is going to be a dark site (black, dark gray, and red as of now) and I was wanting to use a black mirrored background for the collection pics. I took a picture today just messing around with the camera a cheap light box I made up to see how they would turn out. I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT SLR with an 18 to 55mm lens. What I need to know from you photographers out there, is how I can do better pics using what I have. I used only auto focus, and don't know anything about setting things up myself, but can get the instruction booklet to find out how, if you throw some things out that I need to do differently. Thanks alot.
Also, the light box was a simple cardboard box, with a hole in each side and one in the top with a light at each hole,, the inside was lined with a black sheet, and made it hard for the light to shine through, probably some of the problem, and a mirror was placed on the floor.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...MirrorShot.jpg

Looks hot man! I suck at photography so I'm probably not the best to critique someone else's though. I like it a lot.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Looks hot man! I suck at photography so I'm probably not the best to critique someone else's though. I like it a lot.

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Thanks brotha, I appreciate it, I don't think I am too far off, but I know there is some improvement to be done, just need some help figuring out exactly what that is. :confused:

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Originally Posted by PrototypePythons

Thanks brotha, I appreciate it, I don't think I am too far off, but I know there is some improvement to be done, just need some help figuring out exactly what that is. :confused:

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Try it without the mirror

Nice but (well you know me I got to criticize :rofl:) I would center the subject and the reflection, this way the mirror image is not partially cut off.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Nice but (well you know me I got to criticize :rofl:) I would center the subject and the reflection, this way the mirror image is not partially cut off.

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Man, you are SO MEAN!! Haha, just kidding, this is what I wanted, criticism on how to improve it, and yes I did noticed the nose reflection got cut off due to the subject not being centered, that will be taken care of next time for sure.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I would center the subject and the reflection, this way the mirror image is not partially cut off.

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I agree, and like already mentioned, try it without the mirror. I would also recommend looking at the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens for this kind of photography. The optics are super compared to the lens that comes with the camera kit, plus its fairly cheap, less than $100 on amazon.

I understand peoples suggestions of not using the mirror, and just going with the plain background, my reason for using the mirror is to just do something a little different, alot of people just have your typical plain backgrounds, not that there is anything wrong with that, its just that I want to try something a little different, thanks for the suggestions though.

Some lenses you should look into-

Canon standard EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens
Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens -or- Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

Try to center your subject more, and give proper aperature settings and lighting. Aperature will give you a much better, more focused, clearer image instead of blurring past a certain point in the depth of field.

If you want to have a mirrored image, ditch the glass, and pick up a Black velour background. You can buy one at B & H. Then once you snap your picture, edit it in photoshop. Duplicate the image and flip it vertically. Set the copied image of the animal right underneath the main image snake. Change the opacity to 30-40% or so, and put a black to transparent gradient over the copied image. That, or take the eraser tool, change it to brush rather than block, and enlarge it to 175 or so, and erase the top and fade the image in a bit, so it appears like it's reflected.

Work on your lighting too. Pick up even one alien bee, with a 10 foot stand, a brolly box, and a boom arm, to set it over the subject. That or if you have the extra cash, pick up the digital bee package. Just note that the Digital Rebel XT doesn't have a PC socket, so if you want to fire it from the cam, but don't have the radio transmitters and receivers, pick up a hot shoe adapter to use a sync cord ;)

Hey bud, I struggle with all this jargon too, but Andrew sent me to this link and I read it several times before and after a session. I'm slow like that, but I try.

http://www.geofflawrence.com/photography_tutorials.htm

Well, I'm not very good at photography, but I'll add my comments FWIW.

Like others, the first thing I noticed is that the tip of the nose in the reflection is cut off.

I love the mirror effect in shots like this. On a recent thread, someone had used a surface that wasn't a mirror, but was somewhat reflective, and that was cool too. But it is a "special effect" sort of thing. Sort of like the neon blue BPs I've seen in some people's avatars, altho obviously to a greater degree. So I think for a professional looking site, I might not use it, or at least use it only to a limited degree, some pics but not all.

EDIT: I tried to look at your site and it doesn't seem to be working. Not sure if it is supposed to be yet or not.

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Originally Posted by kc261

EDIT: I tried to look at your site and it doesn't seem to be working. Not sure if it is supposed to be yet or not.

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It is being built now, and will be uploaded all at once, we are shooting for a Daytona (August) launch.

Shaun you can also use plexi glass to give it a semi reflective look... I like the mirror myself. I have the nikkon d40. I dont know exactly how yours works, but set it to the highest resolution setting mine is like 3000x2000 or somthing. Then step back and take the picture...2 foot or so, that way the whole snake is in the red box and focused. Then on your pc you can crop it for a perfectly focused sanke pic, and be able to center it better.
I am no photographer but this has worked well for me .
WOOT first post lol!

I have not yet tried photographing small animals yet, but the lenses recommended in this thread are good, the Canon 100mm is a cracking lens. Also the Sigma EX DG's are good,and cheaper than Canon's... may be a zoom macro by Sigma may be a good buy, as you have the flexibilty with the focal length(zooming in and out without having to move the camera), and if you want a close up of eyes etc, the macro will focus really close.

May be try a well polished pane of glass instead of the mirror, it may give a slight reflection without being too distracting if you don't fancy heavy editing in photoshop, which it sounds like you don't

ps- may be after some advice on photographing snakes etc very soon from you guys in the photography section!!

Has anyone tried the glass, let me know how you go!

regards Scott