Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just messing with the camera and showing off another snake

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"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

Henry David Thoreau

Doug L

Nice looking animal, buddy! What sort of camera are you using these days? I'm probably in the market for a new one in the not too distant future, so any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks
-Cole

Thx Cole, These photo are done with a Cannon Power Shot S5IS 8 mega pixels.While I like the camera it is not perfect.My main issue is the depth of field limitations aka f stop or focal stop.
Notice on this first pic how the snake is in focus in one area but not in the foreground.Thats because the camera does not have a full range of f stop settings. You want those in a camera if you want to take close up of your snakes.These were done with the macro setting at less then 10 inches.Also these are done outdoors in full shade.The light reflection off the snake is a big problem with milk snakes.Another trick I like is to wet the dirt.They look better on darker backgrounds not unlike the way they are found when you flip the rock.
Sunlight is better then artificial light to my eye but keep it filtered(shade).

The f stop issue is not so apparent when you shoot from above as more of the snake is at the same distence from the lens

At longer distences this camera is easy and works real well.

Its a 400 dollar camera so Im happy with it.You may want to get a SLR.
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"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

Henry David Thoreau

Doug L

I appreciate the tips, man. I'll keep that info in mind when the time comes to upgrade my prehistoric camera.

-Cole

Hey Doug, what ya got there? A Kansas gentilis or a Nebraska multistrata? Nice looking Milk regardless.

-Dell

Nebraska multistrata, Cherry county.

Kansas gentilis(adult male)
Hey thats a nice looking snake ya have there Dell.
I still dont have any pale milks,
maybe next year Ill get to Nebraska but Kansas has such cool stuff to do.

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"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

Henry David Thoreau

Doug L

Good stuff, Doug!

You could always consider coming a little further North and West of Nebraska for pales, too...

-Cole

pales are cool enough...I am just really glad mine did not lay this year....I want them bigger (no brumation yet and no breeding)......you know...I looked and looked and looked in that shot and I'll be darned if I can find the milksnake in it/....must be good camo.....smelled like it.....snnnnfff snnnnfff....
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......JY