Here is a little "how cue does it" thread on taking pics

Wanna take a pic like this??



or this??



or this??



Here's how

1. Choose your subject wisely. If your snake is in a mood to explore then this is NOT the time to take it's picture. This will only cause frustration and terrible pics. Just wait till it's a better time. I find that in the middle of the day works best.


2. Find some good fill light. I like to shoot outside since that will provide the most even fill light. I do however still use my flash for a more completly even exposure. If you have to shoot inside just make sure you have PLENTY of ambient fill light.

3. Choose a good background. Make sure your background is large enough to comfortably get the whole body of the snake on it with plenty of room to work. You will want to ONLY get the background and snake in the frame. This will ensure your camera is only focusing and exposing your subject and nothing else in the fore or background. I use non glossy off white craft paper in a tub. Use a large enough piece to roll up the front and back side. This will provide refraction of the light and a good even fill with the light.

4. Know and understand your camera. I use a simple entree level digital camera made by Nikon, it's a coolpix l1 6.2 megapixel. I mostly use the auto function and let the camera do the rest. The only thing I change is to use the macro function.

5. Know your snakes patients limit and get everything thing setup before hand. Add the snake the very last. Take lots of pictures and just trash the ones that you don't like. Turn the snake round and round till you like the position. This will often calm/disorientate the subject long enough to get off a couple of shots.

6. Use the photo editing software that came with your camera. It probably has plenty of features to make your final product just the way you want it. The Nikon comes with cropping, sharpening, brightness and color enhancements. That's all I ever need for basic photo work. Crop the subject first and leave a small but tasteful border of background around the edge. Sharpen it up to your liking. Adjust the brightness down to "natural" lighting and tweak the color to the way the snake looks to you in person.

Photo prop..outside fill light using my body to block the direct sunlight...

Before...

This is what I see in "real" life...




7. Host your pics and post em up on bp.net for all your pals to enjoy


I hope this helps and I can say that practice certainly helps!