hey,

not a bad start, focus looks good and exposure is good.

The first shot has a ton of blown highlights in the rocks - try cranking the shutter speed WAY up (about two stops) and using flash when shooting macros in strong direct sunlight. That should help reduce the contrast in the shadows, and will help keep the highlights under control.

the second two shots have a clipped tail, doesn't seem like much but I miss that last inch.

The milksnake phase shots are fine. I think that you will like your shots much better if you can get the snakes to pose better, and can keep the subject of the photo to one side of center. Frame filling shots like these work fine for vouchers and field guides, but aesthetically pleasing shots usually have the subject to one side of center - google the "rule of thirds" for a primer. There are all kinds of variations to the rule of thirds, but keeping things off-center is a good place to start.

To get better poses, set the snakes under something small like a hat or a bowl for a few minutes to let them calm down. Get the camera ready and THEN lift the bowl...that should give you about three or four shots before you have to start over.

good luck!
-----
Erik Williams

fattailed geckos, western hognoses, and a bunch of postage stamps.
Contact me
www.chicagoherp.org
Chicago Herpetological Society

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