Photographing ball pythons

[scotty99]

I have been into photography for a couple of years. I have tried most genres but would like to get into photographing small/exotic animals/ pets, starting with small snakes like BP's
I have a BP so was thinking of getting a light tent and starting with him as a model

would this be suitable
http://www.studio-flash.com/b-series...0cm-p-337.html

I have my own studio lights

thanks scott

[StuartH]

I'm also into photography mate and often see people go on about light tents etc..tbh I find a decent lens,off camera flash with diffuser does all you need..

[RichardA]

Couple of power compact flouro's mounted above at different angles seem to work good too....LOL

[scotty99]

Cheers chaps, might have a play with a flash head and soft box..will using flash affect the snake, i will keep the sessions short as possible. Will try with the modeling lights first.

Stuart nice to see a fellow uk'er here, Not that i don't like conversing with our American friends

are you a breeder at all?

[StuartH]

Cheers mate.. I have a few bits I am hoping to breed in next year or so but not balls..My main interest is photography and I do pics for a few of the big breeders in the Uk.

[CeraDigital]

Using a flash may effect the snakes alertness during the session, making it a bit more skittish, flighty, etc Its not something big, just spooky sometimes to them. There are some positives to using light tents. You rid the image of the light reflections in the eyes from the softboxes, brolly boxes, and umbrellas. The only downside is it restricts the angles, and somewhat effects your modeling lamps accuracy compared to the strobes flash. If you're going to buy one, why not build one? Building one, you can make one to meet "your"
needs, and not settle for what they have. That and you can use the material you see fit. They're not that hard to make either, and cost around a 3rd the price Good luck with whatever you do.

[cinderbird]

Using a flash may effect the snakes alertness during the session, making it a bit more skittish, flighty, etc Its not something big, just spooky sometimes to them. There are some positives to using light tents. You rid the image of the light reflections in the eyes from the softboxes, brolly boxes, and umbrellas. The only downside is it restricts the angles, and somewhat effects your modeling lamps accuracy compared to the strobes flash. If you're going to buy one, why not build one? Building one, you can make one to meet "your"
needs, and not settle for what they have. That and you can use the material you see fit. They're not that hard to make either, and cost around a 3rd the price Good luck with whatever you do.

I've got experience with this, if the animal is used to being handled on a regular basis, they wont react to the flash. HOWEVER, if you have animals that arent handled often and live in rack systems (from my experience) they will twitch when the flash goes off. Its not painful to them, they dont strike but they almost jump. Its just because of the sudden increase in light. You'd jump too! They get used to it after a few fires though.

They do definitely restrict your angles (the tents) BUT, they also kind of help keep the snake corralled and in an area for you to photograph without getting stuff in the background.

[CeraDigital]

I've got experience with this, if the animal is used to being handled on a regular basis, they wont react to the flash. HOWEVER, if you have animals that arent handled often and live in rack systems (from my experience) they will twitch when the flash goes off. Its not painful to them, they dont strike but they almost jump. Its just because of the sudden increase in light. You'd jump too! They get used to it after a few fires though.

They do definitely restrict your angles (the tents) BUT, they also kind of help keep the snake corralled and in an area for you to photograph without getting stuff in the background.

Even calm snakes used to being handled will freak or twitch when the strobes go off....

Saying an animal that isn't handled often, is a cheap shot. You can't handle snakes too often, or any varanid. The stress, and possibility of damage with the rate they feed leaves too big an open window for damage to occur internally, from "frequent" handlings. That, and unless you're standing there constantly flicking a light on and off, how would handling them make them less inclined to jump, twitch, bold, or tweak from studio strobes or flashes going off?...