Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've heard of using lighting to make snakes look better in the pictures. I wouldn't want to make the snakes look better than they really look as most people claim is done, but when I take pictures of some of my animals the pictures don't nearly do them justice. Colors often look dull and sometimes non-existant. It's hard enough to get a good pose out of an animal that has no idea you want it to pose. Then when you finally get a good pose and go back to look at the picture afterwards and see poor color is almost almost heart breaking. What are some good photography tips to get good color out of your animals?

Thanks,
Mike

I use a light box with full spectrum bulbs and diffusers in front of them. The light box helps to create a solid white (or black) background. The full spectrum bulbs are supposed to simulate daylight... so technically real colors? And I like to use a diffuser to soften shadows.
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0.0.1 1983 boyfriend
1.0 2007 pug

Any chance you can put a picture up of the box?

Hi,

I actually don't have it set up right now but here's a tutorial I based my box on. Instead of using paper as the diffuser, I used ceiling lighting diffusers just because they're sturdier. I also have three lamps instead of two. I made mines collapsible for easy storage. You can get all the materials at Home Depot.

http://reverb.madstatic.com/blog/2006/04/01/make-a-photo-light-box-light-tent-cheap/
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0.0.1 1983 boyfriend
1.0 2007 pug