Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't usually post here but I just wanted to share a new photo technique that I tried out today and will probably be using from now on since I like it so much!

I love using the black velvet for my photos but I HATE what happens when I take photos of animals at an angle...as opposed to shooting straight down. When I take photos of animals at an angle on that black velvet, the velvet picks up way too much of my flash and it ends up looking like the animal is on a blue-ish/gray-ish black material as opposed to a deep, solid black. Also, the black seems to drown out the colors of some animals too much...SO....

WHITE VELVET!

We went to the fabric store in search of a some white velvet. We actually had to order it from another store because apparently, white velvet is a little more difficult to come by. Anyways, it came in today and I immediately tried it out.

Needless to say...I LOVE IT! I think it worked out great so I now have a new background

Anyways, I just wanted to share this with everyone because I know several of you out there are interested in new photo tips and techniques!

Let me know what you think and thanks for looking!

Celia

Motley Boa

And a couple of Ball Python photos that came out very nice. I love how the color shows up for these guys...

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Celia Chien

Celia Chien Photography
My Snakes

www.ExoticsByNature.com
www.BallPythonMorphs.com
www.CornsnakeMorphs.com

Now I think I want a Motley Boa, a Striped Ball, and a pinstripe Ball...LOL.

Thanks for the pics.
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CB

"Maybe the venom has gone to my head"

beautiful animals Celia, and great photo's. I also like to use black velvet as a back ground, but I like it because it is easy for an amatuer to come up with a reasonable pic. The white velvet looks great!

Any more tips for us amateur photographers?
Thanks!
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

Nice shots Wetty........nice snakes too!
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I'm about as shapeless as the man in the moon!

The photos are beautiful; However, When it comes to buying, I really like some color spectrum to get a grasp of how nice the snake really looks, (say in somone's hand) as it is easy to photo-shop some animal's colors with a white and/or black background.
I am not in any way implying that this is what you did. I would love a few framed prints for my reptile room. Those snakes are true to their name and absolutely gorgeous!
How about a photo of one wrapped around an Ipod? That would be awesome
Evan Vellios
Link

I know what you mean about photo-shopping. I know a lot of people do use photoshop to enhance their pictures. I personally never edit my photos whatsoever. I am very anti changing the photo in editing programs. If the photo I take of an animal doesn't look like what it looks like in real life, then I just won't use that photo. I'll keep taking photos of it until I get it right. I don't personally have anything against those who use Photoshop, but it's just not my style

I like to use nice basic, solid colors such as black and white because since I don't edit my photos whatsoever, most people can judge and get a good idea of what the animal looks like in real life because they know what white looks like or what black looks like. If my white looks bluish or my black looks grayish, then you can tell that something is off. I guess that's mainly why I used black for most of my photos before. But I think I like this white MUCH better!

Now as for the ipod thing...I could do that...I do have an ipod sitting here...maybe another time LOL...

Celia
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Celia Chien

Celia Chien Photography
My Snakes

www.ExoticsByNature.com
www.BallPythonMorphs.com
www.CornsnakeMorphs.com

I've seen the black velvet photos. I understand the concept of on black background. I've taken photos on black plastic sheets myself. The flash just glares the same way at an angle as on the black velvet. I think it's just me. I need some snake photography lessons. C, I'ma talk your ear off at Daytona. Excellent photography as always.
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Violette Garcia
www.shakahnsgrove.com (Coming Soon!)
Yes I know it's in webmaster's 'shop'.

I'm more than happy to discuss, share, or help in any way I can so talk away! I'm looking forward to it

Celia
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Celia Chien

Celia Chien Photography
My Snakes

www.ExoticsByNature.com
www.BallPythonMorphs.com
www.CornsnakeMorphs.com

...that with gorgeous snakes like those, you could use a hideous polka-dotted, plaid, striped background an they would still look good!
In all seriousness, I like the white background.
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Hey Celia,
Great snakes and pictures as always. I really like the ball python in the 3rd picture.

Brandie Wyatt
TW Int'l Inc.
www.internationalinc.com

>>Hey Celia,
>> Great snakes and pictures as always. I really like the ball python in the 3rd picture.
>>
>>Brandie Wyatt
>>TW Int'l Inc.
>>www.internationalinc.com
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Celia Chien

Celia Chien Photography
My Snakes

www.ExoticsByNature.com
www.BallPythonMorphs.com
www.CornsnakeMorphs.com

Question.....What were you using for white background beforehand?I ask cause I have had one of your pied pics (on white background) set as my wallpaper for quite sometime and don't notice any difference. Just curious

Comment....Love the genetic stripes you all hatched.....I think the multiple breaks makes them look like a whole new morph.....they're super sweet looking.

Awesome pics Celia....(like always)

We love the stripes too

As for the pied picture on white background, that's actually one of Sean's photos from a couple of years ago. He took that on a white plastic lid of sterilite container. I've tried using the same background but it just doesn't work for me because it reflects too much of my flash.

Sean took that photo using a Nikon CP950 with NO flash. He actually had to mess with the settings of the camera quite a bit to get the desired effect (white balancing, etc.). It was taken under regular florescent lighting. Sean also mentioned the same problem with the lid that I was having with the Black Velvet...too much light being reflected back at more extreme angles. I find that the White Velvet doesn't bounce the flash back at all.

Anyways, just wanted to share this photo...

We had that photo on the cover of a South African Reptile Magazine that was featuring Ball Pythons in that particular issue. Kinda neat

Celia
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Celia Chien

Celia Chien Photography
My Snakes

www.ExoticsByNature.com
www.BallPythonMorphs.com
www.CornsnakeMorphs.com