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Hello and welcome to another Reptil.TV special!
Today's topic is about photography. This is because my book about Ball Pythons is almost 10 years old.
I want to bring out a new book. And of course the photos in this book should be fantastic.
And I want to show pictures of your animals! This is where I need your help.
In today's special I'll explain what you need to know about taking photos of your snakes.
There are so many ways to take photos - ways no one would have thought about.
The easiest and most primitive way is to use a simple mobile phone.
I won't even talk about it. You only get junk with this. If you really want to use your photos afterwards, don't use something like this.
Smartphones, like the new iPhone, are more capable and could be used for this job.
Under some circumstances you can use these photos in a book or print out your pictures.
If you don't have any other camera at hand, you can use these, but it isn't a good solution.
Then there are these small point and shoot cameras. They cost about 100€
With these you are able to achieve decent pictures - which you can use in a book, a leaflet or for your homepage.
With these cameras you get decent pictures.
The last, or second to last solution are these semi professional cameras.
You can take really great pictures. Their price tag starts with 500€. But it is not a must-have.
Today I want to talk about taking pictures with a point and shoot. Maybe you already own one, and if not, for about 100€ you can buy one - if you really are interested in taking pictures.
Most of you will probably think, that you can't take pictures with this camera that you can be used in a book or a magazine.
That is not the case - you really can do this with this camera.
You have to follow some facts. Use the cameras' automatic setting.
Some cameras have a macro setting - usually the symbol for this function is a flower - just try these settings and compare them, in order to find out which pictures look better.
The most important fact you should adhere to, is not to use the built in flash, it isn't really good. Shoot in a bright environment.
In summer you should go outside. There you have the best light conditions and don't need to use a flash.
During winter you should shoot in front of a large window, or in a winter garden - a place where it is warm enough for the animals - and you don't have to use this flash.
Here are my 5 tips for shooting decent photos!
Tip no. 1: The mat.
The mat is something very important. I have been using this grey cloth for years.
The grey color is a great contrast to the colors of the Ball Pythons.
If you want a more natural look, you can use a piece of cork and put the animal on it.
Or you can use something green. Put the leaf under or next to the animal and create a different atmosphere.
When I'm in Africa, I like to use banana tree leafs. They are huge and you have a lot space where you can put the animal. And the rich green is a great contrast for Ball Pythons.
For this project, I'll use a neutral and grey cloth. I want the snake to come to the fore and not the decoration.
Tip no. 2: Create the perfect light condition.
I'm standing next to the window. As you can see outside, it's a winter day - there's snow outside and the sun is shining.
But a bright sun is not ideal. It's better if there is an overcast, because with a bright sun, you always have some kind of shadow that you don't want in your picture.
If you try I setup in front of the window, just like we would suggest. It's really great, everything is illuminated.
But you have to be careful, otherwise you have quite some back light.
Don't take a picture facing the window! The bright light gets captured by your camera und you'll really have some problems with shadows, white balance and colors!
You have to try to take a picture with the brightest light in your back - in this case take a picture with your back pointing towards the window - that way you will achieve the best result.
Tip no. 3: Additional Lighting.
To improve the light conditions even more - especially on a dark and cloudy day - you can try to improve the situation and use a desk lamp or something similar.
Illuminate your subject from an additional angle. Your picture will really benefit from additional light sources. The more the better.
Tip no. 4: Cover the animal if necessary.
A Ball Python tends to curl up and form a ball. Other snakes tend to crawl away - just when you are about to take a perfect picture.
A good trick is to use a bowl. Put down the animal and cover it with a bowl. Then wait for about 10 minutes.
The animal will relax and not try to crawl away.
Very important, be prepared! Have the camera ready, be prepared - in the best case you have someone to lift the cover.
Then you can start shooting as soon as the cover is taken away. The probability that your animal is relaxed, is very high.
And with an animal that has the tendency to crawl away, you can be sure that it will stay put, at least for the first few seconds.
Tip no. 5: Try out different angles of view.
If you prepared everything and are ready to shoot, change your position from time to time.
A good position is to shoot slightly diagonal from the top front, just as I am at the moment.
Don't shoot straight down, that really doesn't look good. Shoot from the front.
But try out a few things: shoot from farther away; go real close; pan to the left or the right. Just try shoots from numerous different angles.
Living in the digital era, that is no problem at all. You can view the images on your PC and choose the best shoots from the 30-40 pictures you took - just delete the rest.
Even the pros shoot up to 100 pictures and in the end, they only use one image. You should try a similar approach.
In theory you now know how the take perfect pictures, even with a simple camera.
At the beginning I already told you, that for my new book about Ball Pythons - date of publication will be sometime in April 2012.
My goal is to include each and every existing Ball Python Morph that is out there!
Each existing combo, every single morph. I would like to create a kind of guide for Ball Pythons.
I've already collected almost 1,000 pictures. But all in all I need about 1,500 pictures. So I still need quite a number of pictures.
I'm sure that you have some really cool and fascinating combos at home, that I haven't got a picture from.
I you think you've got something of interest, send me an email and tell me what you've got.
I've got a spreadsheet that I can pass on. Every animal that I don't have a picture of, is listed there.
I would be really excited if I receive these pictures from you.
Send your mails to this address: info@reptil.tv. It would be great if I could use your picture.
Of course every photo that gets published in the book will receive the appropriate credit!
It will be clear who took the picture, whom the animal belongs to. Fame and glory are certain for everyone who contributes!
I'd like to say thank you in advance. Until next time.
Remember - check my Balls! And check my photos!
Now all we need to know is what today’s topic will be. Ahh, yes, tip no. 1.
Camera man: Can you clap again?
Do you think I don't know how to clap?
What an endless drivel!
Camera man: Now look at that stampede!
A flock of cows is passing, we'll just have to wait.
Alright, one last trick ...
Now the bowl is over there?!
If they try to crawl away, such a bowl is really convenient! For instance if the snake bites!
Great! I drained my batteries!
Marta wants to greet someone - come on over here Marta!
Marta: Yes, but only for Valentine's Day! Stefan: For Valentine's Day. I am greeting Martin!
Stefan: That was good! Camera man: Yeah.