Questions about photo shoots

[RedRaydin]

Hey guys, quick question.

I want to take Raydin outside for a photo shoot for the first time. The weather is very nice tonight and I was considering taking the snake out for a while before feeding time.

Couple of questions.

Do you guys only put them on trees, rocks, etc that are above the ground so they don't slither away?

How quick are they once on the ground, can you catch them if they start to slither quickly?

Have any of you had issues with doing photo shoots where any of these things happend?

I just wanna get some answers before I take the snake out. I've had it for a year and 7 months. I think it's big enough to get some good shots with our new Nikon Cool Pix Camera my wife's parents got us for Christmas.

Any suggestions of what poses or things to do with the snake? Just let it do what it wants and capture the moment type thing? I love seeing everyone's outdoor photos and was getting envious so I want to try it. I will post pics here if I hear good feedback from these questions today.

I have never had any problems holding Raydin and the snake is very tame (don't know the sex yet, will find out soon).

 

[ArpeggioAngel]

To date I have only ever put any of my snakes in a tree limb or branch outside above the ground. Not because I am so much worried about them taking off - but because we have lots of fire ants around here and I wouldn't want them to get on any of my snakes.

Once in the branch - most of mine are content to just hang out in one spot or slowly explore. I do have a few that try to shoot down the limb and into the bush so those I hold on to the back end while I take photos of their front end!

 

[RedRaydin]

Sounds logical

Thanks arpeggioangel. Nice to see ya around again. I wasn't aware your mug was still cruisin around this forum. Nice to see I remember a few folks.

Thanks for the tip. We have lots of native pest insects around here too that I wouldn't want Raydin harboring so that's a great thing to know. I will make sure to follow that advice.

 

[Nanci]

Here are some videos to give you an idea of how fast they move:

 

[RedRaydin]

Thanks so much Nanci. I watched the walk with Maizey and the second vid as well. Looks like I don't have much to worry about. I can still get around pretty good at my ripe young age so I think as long as I'm smart about how I take the pics I'll be fine. I'll have em' posted tomorrow morning. I'm not the best photographer in the world but the camera I have is nice and I'll take my time on the shots and wait for "the moment" as we call it and see what we get. Hopefully some cool pics.

Keep your eye out

 

[ArpeggioAngel]

Sounds like you have the right idea!
Waiting for the "moment" is the best way to get a good shot. I find if I try to move them where I want them for a photo that they just won't stay still. If I let them do their own thing and check out the branch at their own speed they usually present some pretty good photo ops all on their own.

 

[Topazfyre]

Do you guys only put them on trees, rocks, etc that are above the ground so they don't slither away?

Rocks that are on the ground are usually fine. The only problem I've had with things on the ground is grass- they love to borrow in it and then you have to uproot a buttload of weeds...Trees that are low to the ground are the best, so you can grab them off easily and if they fall, it's not too far. Usually the snakes are slower in the trees than ground. Finally, you have to hold them up to most flowers because they can't support them. After your first few photo shoots you'll get a feel for what's right and pick a favorite spot. Remember to also look for plants that comliment your corn's colors (white blossoms for whitish corns, purple for lavenders, crab apples to bring out albino red eyes, etc).

How quick are they once on the ground, can you catch them if they start to slither quickly?

Usually, yes. The main thing is to keep an eye on their head, because once you loose that you've no control over where they are going. *cough* like going into a tree. *cough*

Have any of you had issues with doing photo shoots where any of these things happend?

Ahahah........ yeeaah.... *Click on Freyja's name in my sig....*


PS: I want your camera. Really, really, badly. Really.

 

[Susan]

Taking outdoor photos can be like a gamble...sometimes things work out great and you get lots of good photos, and sometimes you just want to find out how well a corn snake would taste marinated in a nice garlic sauce slow cooked over a hickory fire. I have a few snakes that I can just about guarantee getting some good photos, and others that I have yet to get a good one of...and the snake is 10 years old.

As long as the snake is just cruising, you should have no trouble keeping track of it, but if you have one that is moving like lightening, you may want to seriously consider canceling the photo shoot for that day...or do your best to tire it out, keeping a very close eye on it in hopes you may yet salvage the shoot. It is important to watch for any place your snake might be able to get into...and not come back out, especially trees with holes, or piles of leaves, etc. Also watch the height of your tree. I prefer fallen logs or small trees, but will use larger trees if the snake actually has to climb bark to go higher, as it takes longer and I can stop them before they can get too far.

 

[Jeff Linkchorst]

I have a cherry tree in my back yard. It has a smooth bark and its pretty much straight up except for a few branches which i cut. ( can only hit your head while cutting the grass so many times. ) but back to the bark its smooth and there is not allot of small branches for them (corns) to get a good hold on. i had good luck with this. I think the corns are paying more attention to their grip than trying to flee. :shrugs: but always keep close to them. they do fall.

 

[poppycorn]

I prefer to go out to the yard (or the neighbors' yards) and pick out my location before I bring out the snake. I then go back and bring out the snake, box and all. I turn on the camera, take the lens cap off, adjust the settings. Only then do I quickly bring out the snake and plop him on the predetermined spot. I'll usually have a few seconds of "deer frozen in the headlights" to snap off some frames while the snake is still figuring out where it is and which way it wants to bolt.

 

[Weebonilass]

I prefer to go out to the yard (or the neighbors' yards) and pick out my location before I bring out the snake. I then go back and bring out the snake, box and all. I turn on the camera, take the lens cap off, adjust the settings. Only then do I quickly bring out the snake and plop him on the predetermined spot. I'll usually have a few seconds of "deer frozen in the headlights" to snap off some frames while the snake is still figuring out where it is and which way it wants to bolt.

This was my plan for this weekend, now they are saying that a cold front is moving in and the highs this weekend are only going to be in the low 60s... so guess the field trip will have to wait

 

[RedRaydin]

Thanks guys

Thanks for all the tips, stories and ideas guys. You all have some very pertinent info and guidelines to work by. I appreciate it. I'm gonna have fun with this. I got home too late last night to do the photo shoot and I work nights tonight so it's gonna have to wait until tommorrow after work pending the weather conditions.

I did manage a couple of neat pictures in the house with "my" donated camera I got from my wife after her parents bought us the new one. That one is currently charging. I will have pics up in about an hour during lunch time if you guys are interested. I will post them in this thread.

I see our backyard of the apartments from my living room window and already saw a couple of good low to the ground trees with solid branches and so forth to try out. That and I found a nice little concrete wall by the walkway that has the forest in the background that could prove to be a nice spot. We shall see, I will experiment and let you guys decide what works with the snake and what doesn't as far as my pics go. Hope to get some good ones with your ideas and videos. Thanks again for the visuals Nanci.

 

[RedRaydin]

Only two quality yesterday

Only two good quality pictures yesterday. One under belly shot of Raydin's pattern and one cute shot of it looking out a window in the apt. Hopefully more soon. Tht other good one came out too blurry and I couldn't edit it out with the programs here at work.