Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just wanted to post a few of my most recent, new favorite pictures! This is always changing though since I'm always taking new pictures LOL. However, these are my current favorites!

I also wanted to thank Ryan (topnotchboas) for suggesting the diffuser I am currently using. This is a GREAT tool and works incredibly well with my Nikon SB-800 speedlight. I am very impressed with the versatility of the diffuser in conjunction with the flash and could not be happier with the results I'm getting. Thanks again Ryan!!

p.s. I got a call from the store who I ordered some of my camera gear from. They just got the R1 Wireless Close-Up Speedlight system in stock (just one of them!) and so they've shipped that out to me. I should get it early this week. I asked about the Nikon D200 and the sales rep told me that it is guaranteed to be shipped out to me THIS Tuesday. Apparently they are getting in a big shipment form Nikon. So we'll see...I'm excited!

Leopard Boa - the diffuser lets the other colors on this very dark morph show up well without having too much of a flash reflection.

Hypo Hogg Island head shot - this is one of my new favorite photos! I LOVE the light irridescence on her head.

A couple of Motley Boa shots. I especially like how clean the lines look in these photos of this girl.

After all the recent Sharp Sunglow discussion, I figured a nice Sharp Sunglow head shot was in order...

And last but not least, I think THIS is my new ALL time favorite photo - at least for THIS week LOL! Hypo Jungle Boa - check out that tongue! This photo has been resized to 800x532. For those of you interested in seeing the detail in this photo on the full size image, click on this link - but BEWARE this is a HUGE file. The full size photo is 780kb!!

Full Sized Hypo Jungle Photo

Thanks for looking!
Celia
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Celia Chien
www.ExoticsByNature.com

2006 Boa Constrictor Morphs Calendar
2006 Ball Python Morphs Calendar

Wonderful photos.

some of the best pics i have ever seen

Seeing these shots only makes me more envious of your photo techniques. Especially compared to the shots that I tried to take last week (Our gallery link is a nice example of our poor attempt). We can never get our animals as relaxed as they appear in all of your shots.
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Sevier Serpents
Phoenix, AZ
View Our Gallery

I have a few individuals that are incredibly difficult and just don't seem to want to stay still! I find that natural sunlight seems to make them even more active too.

If you haven't tried this already, you can use the "cup method". Basically, I use a water bowl and put the snake underneath it. Leave the snake in there for a minute or so. This will give the snake a chance to kind of chill out. When you pick up the bowl, the snake should (hopefully) be perfectly posed for you! Give it a try. I find that it works well, especially on extremely active snakes like Milksnakes or Kingsnakes. I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Celia
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Celia Chien
www.ExoticsByNature.com

2006 Boa Constrictor Morphs Calendar
2006 Ball Python Morphs Calendar

We did that, but it seems to be a lost cause for larger boas.
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Sevier Serpents
Phoenix, AZ
View Our Gallery

I think that is the FIRST picture of a Leopard that shows the true color. That is something that can usually not be seen in a photograph. Even after I got my Leopard I didn't notice the broad spectrum of color until I had him outside in the Sun.

The Motley close ups simply are incredible!

How about some Aztec shots?

I agree - the Leopards are hard to capture accurately because they are so dark but they really have quite a bit of coloration on them. I'm going to try to take some new pictures of our large adult male because he's got some really cool coloration and pattern. I'll also take some pictures of the Aztec in my next photo shoot!

Thanks,
Celia
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Celia Chien
www.ExoticsByNature.com

2006 Boa Constrictor Morphs Calendar
2006 Ball Python Morphs Calendar

>>I agree - the Leopards are hard to capture accurately because they are so dark but they really have quite a bit of coloration on them. I'm going to try to take some new pictures of our large adult male because he's got some really cool coloration and pattern. I'll also take some pictures of the Aztec in my next photo shoot!
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Celia
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>>Celia Chien
>>www.ExoticsByNature.com
>>
>> 2006 Boa Constrictor Morphs Calendar
>> 2006 Ball Python Morphs Calendar
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Celia Chien
www.ExoticsByNature.com

2006 Boa Constrictor Morphs Calendar
2006 Ball Python Morphs Calendar

>
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Celia Chien
www.ExoticsByNature.com

2006 Boa Constrictor Morphs Calendar
2006 Ball Python Morphs Calendar

I picked out my Leopard mainly on pattern, but the next one I get will be for color. There is just so much variety.

I can not wait to see the pictures.

Thank you for the beautiful photos. Excellent work. Makes me wanna go grab my camera and bother some boas right now! beautiful lighting. perfect.

ohh, nice animals too

Christian
redwoodreptiles.com

. Looks like I am going to have to invest in one of those diffusers as well. That lighting is perfect. Bounce flash works nicely to really soften the effect but you dont get as much straight on flash ... and it creates dark areas in the boa. Those taken with the diffuser look perfect.

Isnt it great how well the SB-800 meters and exposes the shots so perfectly? Such an amazing tool. The close-up flash system I'm sure will be just as amazing.

Were you using the 60mm micro for most of these shots?

Oh and, excellent pictures aside, absolutely beautiful boas! You've got some real stunners in your collection.
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Take Care,

-Ryan Homsey

www.topnotchboas.com

is DEFINITELY worth the $50! I do love the SB-800 too. I am really satisfied with it. My old speedlight is good but the SB-800 is great! I love how you can adjust the flash strength in such small degrees so that you can tweak it just right!

All the photos I posted in this thread were taken with the 60mm micro - what a great lens! Not bad for $500!

Thanks,
Celia
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Celia Chien
www.ExoticsByNature.com

2006 Boa Constrictor Morphs Calendar
2006 Ball Python Morphs Calendar

np

np

Always love seeing those. Andy

.

Those pictures are just awesome. It looks like you have trained your snakes to pose for you. Love that picture of the salmon jungle!!!
Michael Burton

and kind words everyone! I really love taking photos of these guys and seeing others enjoy the photos as much as I do!

Thanks!
Celia
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Celia Chien
www.ExoticsByNature.com

2006 Boa Constrictor Morphs Calendar
2006 Ball Python Morphs Calendar