ratty pics and pics and pics and ...

[aldebono]

It would definitely help to have side by side photos of a really exceptional rat head, torso, hind, and a normal example of the same. Just getting them to sit still is hard enough. What kind of tricks and cameras does everyone use to get those nice pictures?

If I could get some good pictures, would anyone be willing to judge my rats if I pick out a few examples from my colony to see what I need to work on?

[sorraia]

It would definitely help to have side by side photos of a really exceptional rat head, torso, hind, and a normal example of the same. Just getting them to sit still is hard enough. What kind of tricks and cameras does everyone use to get those nice pictures?

If I could get some good pictures, would anyone be willing to judge my rats if I pick out a few examples from my colony to see what I need to work on?

Jerry might have other advice for you, but this what I have done:

I use a decent quality digital camera. In the past I had a canon (forget what model), now I have a Sony (again forget what model). They aren't the highest end cameras available, but they aren’t the lowest end either, and work best. I personally find the automatic settings in natural light with flash work best. Natural light with no flash sometimes doesn’t give justice to the true quality of the animal, and sometimes come out blurry. Bright artificial light can alter the colors, and add flash to it will wash out the photo as well. The key to getting those clean, crisp pictures is to let the camera focus (this I where auto settings work great) and click. Do this multiple times, have that trigger finger ready to go when a good pose presents itself. I have also set up my animals in a make shift “photo box”. I use a plain lighter or neutral colored blanket or towel in a box or with barriers (i.e. a loveseat) so they only have a limited area to roam, then start taking photos. Out of a dozen photos, you might only get a couple that are actually good, but this is why digital is so great. I personally found focusing on the head seems to give the best shots over all. The rest of the body may not be in the sharpest detail, but the head is where all the finer details are.

I think getting multiple opinions on an animal is a great idea too. One person may see something that another does. For example, when I bred rats, one straight gave me great heads but horrible ears, another strain gave me great ears but long heads, while their overall body type was good. Because of that experience, I tend to focus in on the ears and heads, but may miss something about the eye placement, shoulder set, or tail thickness.

[snakesRkewl]

Jerry might have other advice for you, but this what I have done:

Looks pretty much like what I do when I take pictures.
And as far as conformity I am all about the head and ears first, then other traits like color, coat, tail and over all size.

[Coleslaw007]

Oh wow those are all gorgeous lil rats, so cute too! My favorite of favorites I think would have the be the first pic with the lil dutch stripe.