Need advice! TATTOO stuff.

[shelliebear]

I know there have been QUITE a few threads on tattoos, but I'm just not finding what I'm looking for (though there's some BEAUTIFUL artwork!).
I turn 18 this February, and my fiance and I are going to get matching snake tattoos (that's the plan now, might be a different image? idk), specifically ball pythons!
Our tattoo budget will probably be a max of 300$ per tattoo, so we can't do anything TOO crazy. I either want the snake wrapping around my arm, or one on my back (we'll see how prices are, back pieces = money!).
What I want is pretty specific, I think. I really don't mind too much about the BODY of the snake, but I want the head to definitely be identifiable to snake owners as a ball python. I've seen lots of tribal snakes and cobras and even boas, but only like two BP's.
So if you have a drawing or photo or even already have a tattoo that shows a close up of the face of a BP, its body wrapped around something like a stick or an arm, and a close up of the scale detail, could you please pm or post a link? I'm starting planning on this tattoo early.
Another thing I'm a fanatic about, don't ask why, is hearts. I really want a ball python hugging/constricting a giant heart But I doubt anyone has gotten that tattoo yet.
Also, where do I buy Photoshop stuff, and for how much? I see a lot of you all tinkering around on there and it looks like a good place to start as well, but I have no idea where to buy it!
Thanks so much. I know, not another tattoo thread, but my eyes already hurt--I scanned through SO many pages of all the other tattoo threads. I tried!
Shellie

[coldblooded]

Adobe: Photoshop is not cheap and not something I would suggest most people just go out and buy for fiddling around with. Photoshop CS5 retails (from Adobe) for $700.

If you want a free program to fiddle around in that is similar to Photoshop, look into GIMP.

[shelliebear]

Oh my goodness! Wow! It must be a darn good program though if it sells for that much. Hmm.
(I'm guilty myself of purchasing the $600 music composing software programs....I didn't think anything else would take the top spot for price, though!)

[coldblooded]

Oh my goodness! Wow! It must be a darn good program though if it sells for that much. Hmm.
(I'm guilty myself of purchasing the $600 music composing software programs....I didn't think anything else would take the top spot for price, though!)

It is good! But I'm just not sure how much good it would do you. It can't design you a tattoo .

Some of the software suites I have to use for 3D modelling/rendering/animation retail for over 8000 dollars (and up, up, up). Yeah, industry standard software hurts.

Anyway, back on the topic of tattoos, I would find a friend who can draw or hire an artist (or your tattoo artist may be able to do this) to sketch you something out that you want, specifically.

[shescountry89]

Just rememeber if you want the snake to be realistic, the artist is going to have to draw it pretty large to get in all the details. I have a snake on my back, it's pretty big but I had him make it kind of animated looking in a way.. because I wouldn't have been able to afford what he had in mind and what I really wanted.

Mine cost $340

I would show you an updated pic of it, but its on my lower back and its very difficult to take a picture of your own butt =P

[Inknsteel]

The best advice I can give you is to go visit tattoo shops in your area and look at artist portfolios until you find an artist whose work stands out to you. Unfortunately, most tattoo shops have a strict no minors policy, but you could at least look at online portfolios of artists in your area. Once you find the person you want to do the work, schedule a consultation with them. Most artists that I have experience with will give you a free consultation where you can discuss ideas and they can give you a rough estimate of pricing. If you like the ideas and want to move forward, they will generally ask for a deposit and will draw a custom piece to fit the area of your body that the tattoo will go. Then the deposit will be applied to the final price of the tattoo. And from my experience, tattoos will ALWAYS run about twice what you expect before going in...

[Denial]

ive wanted a snake tattooed on me forever but Ive seen tons of snake tattoos and only 6 that I thought looked good. I havent found an artist that I trust enough yet to tattoo a snake on me

[Coastietech]

The best advice I can give you is to go visit tattoo shops in your area and look at artist portfolios until you find an artist whose work stands out to you. Unfortunately, most tattoo shops have a strict no minors policy, but you could at least look at online portfolios of artists in your area. Once you find the person you want to do the work, schedule a consultation with them. Most artists that I have experience with will give you a free consultation where you can discuss ideas and they can give you a rough estimate of pricing. If you like the ideas and want to move forward, they will generally ask for a deposit and will draw a custom piece to fit the area of your body that the tattoo will go. Then the deposit will be applied to the final price of the tattoo. And from my experience, tattoos will ALWAYS run about twice what you expect before going in...

Best advice so far....

I would also like to add there is truth to the saying "good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good"

[Valentine Pirate]

I would also like to add there is truth to the saying "good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good"

Abso-freaking-lutely true Good tattoos are worth what you pay for them, mine's eventually going to be my mojo boy's markings all down my spine and I still haven't found a tattoo artist I'm satisfied with xD

[Johnny V]

I know there have been QUITE a few threads on tattoos, but I'm just not finding what I'm looking for (though there's some BEAUTIFUL artwork!).
I turn 18 this February, and my fiance and I are going to get matching snake tattoos (that's the plan now, might be a different image? idk), specifically ball pythons!
Our tattoo budget will probably be a max of 300$ per tattoo, so we can't do anything TOO crazy. I either want the snake wrapping around my arm, or one on my back (we'll see how prices are, back pieces = money!).
What I want is pretty specific, I think. I really don't mind too much about the BODY of the snake, but I want the head to definitely be identifiable to snake owners as a ball python. I've seen lots of tribal snakes and cobras and even boas, but only like two BP's.
So if you have a drawing or photo or even already have a tattoo that shows a close up of the face of a BP, its body wrapped around something like a stick or an arm, and a close up of the scale detail, could you please pm or post a link? I'm starting planning on this tattoo early.
Another thing I'm a fanatic about, don't ask why, is hearts. I really want a ball python hugging/constricting a giant heart But I doubt anyone has gotten that tattoo yet.
Also, where do I buy Photoshop stuff, and for how much? I see a lot of you all tinkering around on there and it looks like a good place to start as well, but I have no idea where to buy it!
Thanks so much. I know, not another tattoo thread, but my eyes already hurt--I scanned through SO many pages of all the other tattoo threads. I tried!
Shellie

i legit have 3 snake tattoos, one of which is the center-piece of my left arm sleeve (a snake holding an anatomical human heart, wrapped from my bicep all the way down to my wrist.)