Reptile Photography

[blakehose]

I can't take a good photo but this is my favourite animal!

 

[PythonOwner25]

Here are few recent herping shots Red-bellied black snake face to face, Eastern Tiger snake, Boyd's Forest dragon and a juvenile Gippsland water dragon.

 

[Stompsy]

Here are few recent herping shots Red-bellied black snake face to face, Eastern Tiger snake, Boyd's Forest dragon and a juvenile Gippsland water dragon.

Red bellies are just so beautiful.

 

[GeckPhotographer]

Well different people do it different ways, I'm sure you've seen enough of my photography. I have been photographing reptiles in the wild for a couple of years now for both science and for fun and over that time the amount I've learnt about this amazing art is enormous, experience and being out there taking pictures with other people is absolutely the best method of learning.

I say my style comes from my understanding of the animals in nature. That is I try and capture them as naturally as possible, and in this way there are lots of pictures out there other people toat as amazing I just don't like because to me they don't look natural. (Of course I'm more applying this to wild animals). That's just how much personal style influences not only your own pictures but your perceptions of others.

So from my experience there's not much advice I can really give other than to find yourself a personal style you really enjoy (preferably one I like too ) and that experience is the best teacher. I will however give some brief advice about gear and technique.
Gear: You can take pictures on anything from your Iphone to a professional DSLR, it doesn't matter brilliance in a picture isn't all about how many pixels it has. If you're looking to take nice photos that you can print and display in your room or house I'd recommend at least a high level point and shoot (Olympus XZ-1 just being an example). But you're probably better off using a low level DSLR, Nikon are easier to use, Canon are slightly higher quality, it really doesn't matter what you choose unless you want to get serious, watch out for Olympus they make some amazing lenses they have a serious chance to rock the market in future. It's important that you actually learn how to utilize the setting on these camera ESPECIALLY THE POINT AND SHOOT, there are so many functions, buttons and settings it can get confusing but read the damn manual and know how to do what you want, use manual, learn how to manually set the flash, etc. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to take great pictures with lower level gear if you use it properly (it all comes back to experience).
Once you've decided on a Camera and lens, (plenty of threads on advice for lenses) the next big thing is the flash. Never ever underestimate the power of a good flash to make a picture. Flashes can wipe out shadows, light up the background, bring out colours of an animal (I find these colours are usually fairly near true but I've seen green snakes turned blue by flash before). A flash setup can be useful both day and night. Again different people use different things that work for them and you'll need experience to figure out what works best but even the cheapest range of flashes or the onboard flash can improve your pictures if you use them right.

Technique: Get low with the animal, next to the animal, slightly below the animal, just try not to be looking down on the animal if you don't have to be. Especially for shots that you want to look more dramatic or impressive.

 

[Defective]

heres some of my beardie that a good friend took for me.

these are ones i've taken

 

[Poggle]

Thanks so much geckodude i appreciate your advice.... i was trying the down low thing with the rbb and gecko, i need more herps to photo now... i was looking to upgrade my camera to one with a manual lense, so i can set focus myself.

 

[Waterrat]

Is anyone in your area running workshops? I do them here 3 times a year.

 

[Poggle]

unfortunatly not that i am aware of... i would love to get into a course to do this though, give me more of an undertanding about it all... You could always come down for a trip michael

 

[Scribble_pants]

The gecko picture is beautiful.

I've had my camera for almost a year but dont get it out enough. And I just play it by ear always ending up getting more dud pictures than good ones. Here are a few though.

A few taken with camera phones:

And some taken with my DSLR:

The roughie pics are lovely, great cam and photography skills!

 

[markannab]

This is not my snake, but one I relocated from someones garage recently.


My nephews diamond realigning her jaw.

 

[saratoga]

Get low with the animal, next to the animal, slightly below the animal, just try not to be looking down on the animal if you don't have to be. Especially for shots that you want to look more dramatic or impressive.

great advice!

And remember lighting is everything...... photograph the animals in nice natural light if possible(early morning, late afternoon or cloudy day). You will also need to invest in some flashes if you get serious.

 

[Poggle]

i need to sell some snakes to pay for this lol

 

[JUNGLE-JAK]

here is one of my jungle that i took thismorning see the number 5 on its head,took this with my phone so sorry for bad quality​

 

[Stompsy]

here is one of my jungle that i took thismorning see the number 5 on its head,took this with my phone so sorry for bad quality​

Is his name Five? That's really cool!

 

[JUNGLE-JAK]

oh and i like the look of all the photos people, has any one seen the beautiful high red collets snake in S&T current issue

yeah it is how did you know.....are you a psycho or psydkick

 

[R.a.n.g.a]

 

[lgotje]

Great thread guys

 

[vampstorso]

Love the fly taking on the bredli for the rat ranga!

 

[Cold-B-Hearts]

my two favourites

 

[Poggle]

gr8 pics guys