firstly, it is the PHOTOGRAPHER, not the CAMERA.

Give an amazing photographer a terrible camera -- you'll get great images. (Along with a ton of terrible ones).

Give a novice an amazing camera -- you might get lucky with a few shots, but you'll end up with a ton of terrible images.

You need to understand how the picture making process works in order to make better pictures. You need light and a lot of it. Macro modes, on point and shoots, in my opinion are worthless. (keep in mind, i am an actual photographer, but i do not shoot with point and shoots any longer). You need to be able to get within a certain distance (3 inches or less) from your subject and have the camera system be able to focus. If your camera can't focus, you cant get a good picture.

I would highly suggest a tripod and a still subject. shooting macro of corn snakes is a difficult challenge unless your animal is sleeping.

A lot of macro images suffer from terrible camera shake . the system need to be locked down - no moving of the camera, no moving of you, no moving of the subject, no moving of the BUILDING YOU ARE IN -- your camera will pick up vibrations that travel through the building through you! Use the self timer. but your subject can't be moving.

I've shot hundreds of images of snakes. Most of them are not classic macro type shots. Always use a flash if you can't get natural light. Pop up flashes are useless as well they create terrible shadows and bad light.

i apologize if this sounds snippy, im tired and cramming for finals.

If you have any questions i can see if i can answer them, i think i have a few back logged threads where i give photo advice.