That Photo Technique Works!

Love the tongue photo!

Bill actually has a bunch of different sizes of hides that he uses to calm snakes. He usually makes sure they are rectangular shapes, because the snake will often assume roughly the shape of the hide. When he gently pulls it off of them, they often (but not always) stay still for a minute or two for a couple of nice shots. But sometimes it takes several minutes or more of hide time for it to work.

Bill will be giving a talk for the Staten Island herp society in late May, I believe. I don't remember what the topic will be - maybe it is on their site. He has no plans for any other northeastern areas this year that I know of. But he will always consider invitations if the herp society can afford expenses. And I am sure he would be happy to discuss photography if you attend, whether that is the subject or not.

Keep up the good work!

Originally Posted by slitheringdead

Hey, i actually tried the well known technique of covering my snakes for a few minutes before taking their pics and what do you know... they actually stayed still for a few seconds. Long enough for me to take some close ups. The next step is for me to create a nice natural background that will help enhance their colors and also add to the overall aesthetic appeal.

Well known technique?
I am beginning to know my olympus dslr
I dont use a macro lens, just the standard 14-42 mm
But foxus still to much on the body

...Now AF+MF would be a solution if himself would not bob its head


How does the covering technique work..and how much time does it buy you

but the longer you leave them in the hide, the more likely they are settled into place and may not move for a few minutes when you carefully remove the hide from them. If you wait only a minute or two for them to settle, it often doesn't work at all. We often put a weight on top of the hide, and do something else for 15 minutes. Then there is a reasonably good chance that the snake won't just go "boing" like a tightly wound spring when you lift the hide. But sometimes that is exactly what happens! It can be very frustrating if you don't have LOTS of patience!

`yep that Hiding and lifting does work... a treat
So great that I can lift his hoiding bark give him a two second snif at my finger
Scoop his roled up body...walk to the kitchen....
Find out i forgot my flash card in tha camera...
And then take a set of pics on the ashen table

What Works as wel with enoug light is change the aperture on your camera
The Shots on my hand were made this way.

And please some feedback positive and negative (the last with pointers on how to correct)

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