Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks to Jonel for sharing his equipment, I just received my new camera tonight. It is sooooo much better than what I had. This is a pic that I took tonight of the Sunrise Whiteside Bull. This is a pretty accurate pic as far as colors go. The first clutch of bull eggs should be hatching any day now. I can't wait to see what's hanging out in there! Thanks again Jonel. Take care all.

Jeremy

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Jeremy Pierce
Shade Tree Exotics
shade-tree-exotics@att.net

Hi Jeremy

Glad I could help. Learn the camera and know its limitations and it will serve you well. You'll have more fun taking pics. Here's some non-Pituophis pics that I've taken with it. Take care.

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Jonel M. Lopez

www.spsnakes.com

As usual those are some fine pics. I took that pic after about 15 minutes of messing with it. I'm going to have to wrap my head around all of the settings and things. It's been too long since I've messed with a camera other than point and shoot! The pic above was taken without a flash just because every time I use a flash it washes him out something fierce. I've tried taking pics of him outside but in sunlight he gets washed out too. I need to wait for a nice cloudy day and try then. Once I get used to this camera I want to take new pics of all of my animals so hopefully in the near future I will flood the forum with some pics half as good as yours! Take care and thanks again.

Jeremy
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Jeremy Pierce
Shade Tree Exotics
shade-tree-exotics@att.net

Hi Jeremy

Don't be scared to use the flash. I use diffused fill-in flash on my pics all the time except when the subject is in direct sunlight. You can adjust the flash intensity as well as the exposure with the top arrow menu button. As far as diffusers go you can use any opaque plastic. I've used 16 oz deli cups first. It's actually not opaque but it sends the light backwards towards you to illuminate the area instead of the subject so there's no direct flash/light. I've also used the bottom of an alcohol bottle which I cut a hole on the side and attach to pop-out flash (as seen on the eyes of pics 3 and 4). Make sure the bottom end of the piece reaches the end of the lens to eliminate lends shadows (esp. on macros). My favorite so far the bottom of the 1 gallon AZ Green Tea container. I use it vertically so it will reach the pop-out flash and diffuse the light (you can actually see it with the lens reflected on the frog's eyes). I cut a hole towards one end of the plastic with a door installation kit hole saw and it fits perfectly on my 52mm UV filter. Also my favorite condition to take pics is in a sunny day under a shade with a little diffused fill flash. Get creative. There's no need to buy those expensive accessories to get the desired effect. I get a lot of chuckles and "what the heck is that" when I use my DIY "tools" but when I show them the pics I get them saying "wow! that thing works great!" Hope it helps.

ps. not claiming to be a pro but just sharing what worked for me.

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Jonel M. Lopez

www.spsnakes.com

"not claiming to be a pro but just sharing what worked for me."

I don't know Jonel, I don't see pics any better than yours in the books and magazines. You might not do it for a living but I'd say talent wise you are there my friend!

Thanks for all the tips. I will try to put them to use! Take care.

Jeremy
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Jeremy Pierce
Shade Tree Exotics
shade-tree-exotics@att.net

Thanks Jeremy. I'm hoping one of 'em will pop up in a book in the future.
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Jonel M. Lopez

www.spsnakes.com

Great pic of the A.e. candida. I love those snakes. Great captives and very underrated. Can't understand why they're not more popular in the trade. Here's a Kern Co. specimen we photographed. No where near as great a pic as yours.

reako45

Thanks reako45. That glossy was actually one of the earlier finds during my trip your way. It was from the beginning of the trip while the deserticola was towards the end. I like how they look down there with some nice orange/pinkish and/or greenish tinge to them. Definitely beautiful animals. Thanks again.
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Jonel M. Lopez

www.spsnakes.com

HI Jonel

I love your field pics, there amazing!

Hey I left you a post last week under your Deserticola post. Not sure if you seen it?

Jason

Thanks Jason. Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to herp KS in the next few years. Sounds like an amazing place (given the right time of year, right?). BTW, can't wait to see what Pituophis you produce later in the season. I love the deserticola morphs and locales that you work with. Too bad I'm in CA.
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Jonel M. Lopez

www.spsnakes.com

Jeremy,

Yeah, that new camera looks like it's working mighty fine.
That's a good looking snake too!

Tim

Thank you Tim!
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Jeremy Pierce
Shade Tree Exotics
shade-tree-exotics@att.net

Hi Jeremy

The camera takes great pics plus it does hurt to takes pics of awesome snakes. That bull is something else, I cant wait to see what it looks like as adult. You gotta resize your pics a little smaller.

Thanks for sharing cant wait to see more pics with new camera.

Jason

Thanks Jason. Yeah I didn't realize the pics were so big until I went to upload them! My apologies. Now that I know how to navigate the menu a little bit they'll definately be smaller next time. Thanks again and take care.

Jeremy
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Jeremy Pierce
Shade Tree Exotics
shade-tree-exotics@att.net

What kind of camera are you using? (Sorry if this was mentioned already.)

It is a Panasonic DMC-FZ7. Really inexpensive all things considered.
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Jeremy Pierce
Shade Tree Exotics
shade-tree-exotics@att.net

>>It is a Panasonic DMC-FZ7. Really inexpensive all things considered.

Thanks, I think Jonel had told me that previously but I'd forgetten.

I gotta get me one of those! I'm still using an old Sony Mavica FD92, 1.6 MP.... lol.

dg