Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Forum user, "Meehiss" brought up an interesting question regarding backgrounds for ball python photography. I am constantly experimenting with different surfaces with varying amounts of reflective or non-reflective properties. I have found that I can achieve a somewhat 'polished' result using lighter non-reflective suedes and foam materials. That said, I would like to find a pitch black or deep colored fabric that doesn't get washed out with intense lighting or show debris.

Here are a few photos I've taken using light tan suede cloth inside and outside with no flash. The indoors pics were taken beneath a single 20watt Halogen spot located about 5 feet above the pythons. The outdoor photos were taken in areas where the direct sun was blocked but not necessarily in a dark shadow.
The 'center-right' photo was taken on a piece of pearl white foam board. I really like the results, I'll keep experimenting. Please share your ideas. Thanks!

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Paul Snyder

Home

I think I found a new light background. This piece of 24" x 16" foam board is about a 1/4" thick and soft. I bought it on my way to work at 'Michaels Art Supply' for 85 cents (including tax). It is awesome. I just snapped another photo of 'MOMO', our male pastel.

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Paul Snyder

Home

here is my fav back ground, black plexi glass

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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

Very cool, Misty! Where do you find black plexiglass? I have been wanting to experiment with reflective surfaces also.
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Paul Snyder

Home

I am perhaps the worst photgrapher in the world and my first camera was on my phone. I do however keep my snakes on autobond black carpet and it makes a good background. These were taken with no flash with an actual digital camera i borrowed from my parents. This is the best I can do though. I like the black plexi glass way better.

The anaconda was taken outside and I think this pastel was as well but with my shadow covering it...because I am that good : )

I bought it for some product shots I was shooting a few years ago and I found many other uses for it
Misty Sprouse Photography

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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

Here is some nice work I did with wonderfull lights from the lee watson show barn with a nice simple table background and my camera phone. This is of Mark Petros's pied. I took it while he went outside and had me watch his table. I bet he would not let me do that if he knew I was going to create such great work with his animal and post it on here. The snake wasnt that great in person and my cool camera tricks deffinitely helped it out : ) enjoy (sorry, its getting late and I have lost my mind)

LOL!

True photographic art, that is!

Thanks for the chuckle!
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...got balls?

graycat

Letting me live here:
2.2 normals
0.1 pie ball
1.0 hetpied
0.1 Suriname
? Common snapping turtle
? Alligator snapping turtle
1 Guinea pig
2 gold fish (turtle survivors)
3 pet rats and
3 cats
Oh yeah, and 3 children!