Photo shoot tips?

[NewParadigms]

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.

[MikeV]

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

[snakesRkewl]

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.


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

[kitedemon]

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.

[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.

[NewParadigms]

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.

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

[SlitherinSisters]

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.

[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.

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

[koloo921]

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

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