Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've noticed that a lot of people take pics of their chams and I'm wondering what their secret is because my veiled HATES it. The last time I did it he lunged and gaped at the camera, then turned very dark and hid for 3 days.

I felt terrible that I stressed him so bad. Now I only take his pic when he's sleeping but I'd sure like to get some shots of him awake. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks

Meemee

or all your pics will look like this! That way you can step back a bit and still fill the frame. No one wants a camera right in their face. A camera with macro capabilities works well with cham photos. The big black camera tends to scare them.
Cover the camera with a lighter colored cloth and cut a hole for the lens. Like using a blind for wildlife photos. You can keep your hand under the cloth too and cut another hole for the eyepiece if you want or stick your head under the cloth.

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

He is the son of Flash Gordon from Kammerflage.
I call him Jack or Flashy.
He is usually very mellow but is camera shy. Stitch had no problem posing!
On a sadder note Salvador is doing very poorly. He is just sooooooo old and I have to give him all food and water by hand.
He really can't get around now without help. He does stick out his tongue to get the bugs I hand him but now he does not always want to eat and his color is going so I think it will be a matter of days now. I will not force him to eat and let him go when he decides it is time But this is really hard. He has been with me for 6 years and with the previous owner for 1 year. He came in as a WC adult so he has lived a loooooong life and has seen Madagascar which one day I hope to see too.
I am not taking this well though.

I am so sorry to hear about Sal. His mating may have have been his last stand (pun intended - did I get a smile

It is great that you have his offspring, though. I still have a vivid picture in my head of the old guy so that is how he always remain for me. You have been a good Mom to him.

lele
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

Boy, does that look familiar! I see a face like that every time I open Clide's cage. I'll definitely try covering the camera with a cloth and possibly my head as well. Clide's really shy so as soon as I open his door he takes off and hides (after a brief show of hissing and gaping). Even if I could get a shot his color would be dark and not terribly photogenic.

My camera has macro, zoom and I have a little tripod as well so I guess it's just a matter of getting good at shooting the pictures fast. Thanks for all the tips everyone. I've learned so much about chams from this forum, it's really a great help!

Meemee

yes, as pointed out you will have little luck (and probably a really pissed off cham) if you are trying to get the camera in his face. Whether you have a manual, auto or digital camera you need at least some zoom capabilities. I have both, but prefer my digi-cam b/c it is small, quick and I can check the pix right away. I personally use a tripod, just b/c I have one for other photos, but they are inexpensive and a great help while taking cham pix. You can set yourself up across the room, or at least a few feet away, zoom and shoot!

IF you are thinking of a new camera make sure this is a consideration. Most of the creatures I photograph are tiny and I need macro (up close - REAL close) but my digi-cam has a macro and telephoto.

have fun!!
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

That has to be the most awesome cham pic i've ever seen!! You really need to turn that pic into a contest or something, i'm almost absolutely positive you'd win.. That's awesome! It looks like a VERY colorful, leg-full(lol?), big-mouth bass.. haha
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1.0 Savannah Monitor - Artimus
2.0 Emerald Swift - Jesus, unnamed
1.0 Baby veiled Cham - Sir August De Winter 1-20-05 RIP
1.0 Green Iguana - King Arthur
1.0 Rose-hair tarantula - Bill
1.0 Basilisk - Adam
0.1 Water Dragon - Lady

np

Having another person can really help. Put the chameleon on a branch or stick and have someone hold the stick while you take the photos.

95% of pics I take are with the assitance of someone else, either my wife if she's around or anyone else who happens to be over visiting or something.

A cheap digital camera with a close up option is nice or a nicer film or digital camera with magnifiers or macro lenses' are even better.

Unfortunately putting my cham on a branch or stick isn't an option. Clide is Satan incarnate. I'd hate to think of what he'd do if I tried to get that close to him (probably have a heart attack or stroke)! I admire him from afar, clean his cage when he's sleeping and am thankful for zoom and macro on my digi cam!

Thanks for the suggestion though, I'm open to any ideas.

Meemee