Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How do you guys get your snakes to hold still for a photo shoot.

I've tryed the cup trick and they spring out as soon as I lift it.

I end up just holding them

Here is a few pics of this same snake a year or two ago

Another question, How do you guys keep the flash from reflecting off the snake?


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"Wake me when its April"

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Doug L

on the head will usually do it!

Just kidding.

The great thing about digital cameras is you can take 20 shots just to get one really good one and you don't have to worry about using up film.
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Randy Whittington

One day when you're bored and the snakes are in the cooler, set up a photo session under the best lighting you can arrange - skip the flash.
While the snake is still slow from the cold put it in the diorama and take all the pics you can before he warms up. Skip the active snakes for another day.

You might get 5-10 seconds of photo ops if the snake is hunkered under a hide and you're ready to shoot when you lift the hide.

The zippy ones will take a few sessions and lots of patience so good luck with that!
Jeff

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If Patrick Henry thought that taxation without representation was bad, he should see it with representation.

I try to do it a day after feeding when they are resting under a hide area. Just be sure you and your camera are ready to go, because they might take off in 30 seconds or less, especially baby campbells, hondos,etc.

Mike

...regarding the flash - try covering it with a tissue, a white paper towel, or even some opaque plastic. That will act as a homemade diffuser and give you softer, more natural looking lighting. AS far as getting them to sit still...well good luck with that one!
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Diego

SWCHR

Doug, I cup them in under my hand/hands. I've found if I let them crawl around a little first, then start cupping them, that they have calmed down a lot.
I've imployed Jeff H. idea a number of times too, and it works very well. But sometimes you just don't have a cooled down snake ready for photos. Chris N. has some good photos, and you've seen how he takes them. In a large tub w/ sand and a few rocks, and he gets really good photos this way.
Like I've said before, sometimes I just want to drop kick them to the moon. Haven't done that yet, but think about sometimes.
Anyway have fun w/ it.

Penninton SD, multistrata

-Dell

thanks guys I'll try those tricks

The water bowl or the hide cub seems to help a bit

Also if you touch them on th nose they pull back to a strike position

Odd lighter orange spots on the saddles

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"Wake me when its April"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~

Doug L

Only the last 2 pics are showing...
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Diego

SWCHR