The pics look a little bright around the edges, other than that they look good to me. I have the same problem when I take pics, so I usually end up adjusting the brightness of the pic in photoshop. Have you tried different color backgrounds? White kinda hurts the eyes on a computer screen. Just trying to help out
i did it bright on purpose, i'm trying to find all the right settings for a clear, detailed pic against a white background. i'll work on a black background next.
the lighting is direct bare bulb, i'm going to try diffusing it with a white sheet also. the hardest part is finding a snake that sits still!!! lol.