Herp-a-day (pt II)

Photography knowledge exchange.

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muskiemagnet
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by muskiemagnet »

kevin, thank you for the reply. the camera is a rebel xti and the lens is a 48-200 cannon(no image stabilizer).

these pictures were taken prior to me wanting to know my camera. in fact, this is the shot that pushed me to learn more. i've played with higher aperatures, and the tripod makes a considerable difference with this. my main concern is a wider depth of field, for close-up images. typically i like to get the whole animal and some habitat into the picture, but this is a different shot than what i usually look for. i'd like to get better with this lens before i decide to get anything else. i'm just hoping to learn to make quick decisions in the field. i do not really like to handle snakes for an extended photo session, so quick is better. finding more herps trumps photo shoots. one other thing is that i do not want to use a flash.

-ben
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

muskiemagnet wrote: one other thing is that i do not want to use a flash.

-ben
May I ask why you don't want to use a flash?

-Don

www.RainforestDon.com
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krismunk
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by krismunk »

Peek-a-boo

Image
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muskiemagnet
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by muskiemagnet »

AsydaBass wrote:
muskiemagnet wrote: one other thing is that i do not want to use a flash.

-ben
May I ask why you don't want to use a flash?

-Don

http://www.RainforestDon.com
good question don. i really don't have an answer to that. i think it just may be more of a preference to how "i see it". also, let's say you have a "typically" nocturnal species on a cloudy day. probably nothing, but i hate getting a light in my eyes when my pupils are open. it's just not anything that happens in nature, that's all. like i said, it probably doesn't matter though.

-ben
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Stohlgren
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Stohlgren »

Yeah, if you want more depth of field you are going to have to use a smaller aperture (higher number) and you are going to have to use a slower shutter speed or up the ISO (or use a flash). This is where knowing what kind of image you are trying to achieve is important. For my herp shots I generally like to use and relatively low ISO (~400) and a decent depth of field (usually between f/8 and f/13). So when using my 100mm macro I know I have to either use a slow shutter speed and a tripod, or use flash. Most recently I have been using both as I like natural light but feel a small amount of fill flash opens up the shadows and makes the color pop a little.

There is certainly merit in wanting to learn how to use the equipment you have before buying anything else. A new, expensive lens is not automatically going to get you a sharp shot if you don't know some of the basic techniques. Feel free to post more photos for critique as you take them and I also recommend examining other peoples photos that you like and the settings they used to see if you can figure out how they achieve the look that you like. That, and practice will help getting good, quick shots become second nature.
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muskiemagnet
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by muskiemagnet »

thanks a lot guys. evntually, i will have better shots. time is what i need.

-ben
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kit fox
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by kit fox »

muskiemagnet wrote: focal length 200mm
ISO-100
shutter speed 1/250
F/5.6

i know very little about cameras, but would like to know more. this was not on a tripod. i was zoomed in as far as i could go. anything you can suggest would be great. as far as messing with a gravid female, it wasn't me. actually i scold my friend when he does it.

-ben
Your image is blurry, due to camera shake. http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutori ... -shake.htm

MINIMIZING CAMERA SHAKE

A telephoto lens may have a significant impact on how easy it is to achieve a sharp handheld photograph. Longer focal lengths require shorter exposure times to minimize blurring caused by shaky hands. Think of this as if one were trying to hold a laser pointer steady; when shining this pointer at a nearby object its bright spot ordinarily jumps around less than for objects further away.
camera shake focal length rule of thumbexample of camera shake with a telephoto lens

Simulation of what happens when you try to aim a laser pointer at a point on a distant wall;
the larger absolute movements on the further wall are similar to what happens with camera shake when you are using a telephoto lens (since objects become more magnified).

Reducing camera shake requires either shooting using a faster shutter speed or holding your camera steadier, or some combination of the two.

To achieve a faster shutter speed you will need to use a larger aperture (such as going from f/8.0 to f/2.8) and/or increase the ISO speed. However, both of these options have drawbacks, since a larger aperture decreases depth of field, and a higher ISO speed increases image noise.

To hold your camera steadier, you can (i) use your other hand to stabilize the lens, (ii) try taking the photo while crouching, or (iii) lean your body or lens against another solid object. However, using a camera tripod or monopod is the only truly consistent way to reduce camera shake.
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

Little dwarf salamander I found today. The original photo sucked due to blown out highlights, but I think I was able to salvage it:

Image
Eurycea quadridigita (Dwarf Salamander) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

Pristimantis pardalis

Image

This adult was found along the continental divide in western Panama. This species has a purplish-black dorsum with brown blotches that is reminiscent of a bird dropping, coupled with a dark purple venter and bright cream markings on the groin, thighs, and calves.

-Don
http://www.RainforestDon.com
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

Picked up a coachwhip, in shed, on Sunday. It shed, I photographed it, and returned him to his board this morning. This younger, healthier one had take up residency in his absence:

Image
Coluber flagellum flagellum (Eastern Coacwhip) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Autofocus
No Flash
100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
F11
ISO 800
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

I wish more people would post on here, I enjoy seeing the photos!

Here's a really freaking ugly buttermilk found yesterday:

Image
Coluber constrictor anthicus (Buttermilk Racer) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Manual focus
No Flash
100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
F10
ISO 800
-1/3 EV
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

Soopaman wrote:I wish more people would post on here, I enjoy seeing the photos!

Here's a really freaking ugly buttermilk found yesterday:
From a guy who has never seen one in person, that is an awesome looking snake!


"One last look at a past life"
Red-eyed Treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas)

With tail not yet fully absorbed, this metamorph had just climbed out of the water. He took one last look at his roots before heading up to start a new life in the canopy.

Image

Nikon D7000
Nikon 105mm micro
SB-700 and R1C1 macro flash kit
f/14
1/250 sec
ISO- 400
Metering mode- spot
Exposure mode- manual
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

AsydaBass wrote:
Soopaman wrote:I wish more people would post on here, I enjoy seeing the photos!

Here's a really freaking ugly buttermilk found yesterday:
From a guy who has never seen one in person, that is an awesome looking snake!

Cool shot!

Here's a picture of a good looking one.


Another coachwhip, from last Sunday:

Image
Coluber flagellum flagellum (Eastern Coachwhip) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Manual focus
No Flash
100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
F10
ISO 800
-1/3 EV
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

Kyle, what a tease! It says that I don't have permission to view the photo you linked.

-Don
http://www.RainforestDon.com
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

Here's the same one from the database, maybe it'll show : http://www.naherp.com/vouchers/765-1125.jpg
Matt Buckingham
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Matt Buckingham »

A big 'ol Ambystoma texanum.

Image
Smallmouth Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

Wow!,what a salamander!

And that link to the buttermilk racer worked, good looking snake. I may have to try and find one in 2013.

Here's my daily contribution:

Crowned Treefrog (Anotheca spinosa)- A species that we are encountering with more and more frequency- a little good news for once!

Image

Nikon D7000
Nikon 10-24mm (14mm)
SB700 / R1C1 macro flash kit
f/10
1/60 sec
ISO-320
Exposure mode- aperture priority
Metering mode- pattern

-Don
http://www.RainforestDon.com
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ZantiMissKnit
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by ZantiMissKnit »

The full sized photo of my avatar.

Bow-wacka-docka-bow-wacka-docka.

Image
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

Nice one, Zant!

Here's an atrox I flipped today:

Image
Crotalus atrox (Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Shutter SpeedZ: 1/160
ƒ/13
ISO 200
100mm Macro Lens
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ZantiMissKnit
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by ZantiMissKnit »

Thanks, Soopaman! I fully admit to laughing like I was 12 years old when I realized I had gotten the shot.

Here's a Nerodia sipedon I snapped a couple of months ago.

Image
DSCN1817 by ZantiMissKnit, on Flickr
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krismunk
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by krismunk »

With near certainty the last of the season - from today...

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ZantiMissKnit
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by ZantiMissKnit »

Eastern Newt in Eft phase, in situ. I looked down and saw a little noggin' sticking out of a hole in a tree.

Image
112_0076 by ZantiMissKnit, on Flickr
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Neil M
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Neil M »

My first Dicamptodon!!

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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

Image
Crotalus atrox (Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Shutter SpeedZ: 1/200
ƒ/11
ISO 200
100mm Macro Lens
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ZantiMissKnit
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by ZantiMissKnit »

Good morning, all (at least those of us in the US)...

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DSCN1522 by ZantiMissKnit, on Flickr
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog (Oophaga pumilio)

Image

Nikon D7000
Nikon 105mm micro
f/18
1/60 sec
ISO-250
EV- +.3
Exposure mode- Aperture priority
Metering mode- Matrix


-Don
http://www.RainforestDon.com
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

Everglades Dwarf Siren (Pseudobranchus axanthus belli)

Image

Nikon D7000
Nikon 105mm micro
Nikon R1C1 flash setup

-Don
http://www.RainforestDon.com
Matt Buckingham
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Matt Buckingham »

An opacum from today.

Image
Marbled Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

Nice marbled, Matt.


Here's a Texas Ratsnake I flipped this afternoon:

Image
Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri (Texas Rat Snake) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Shutter SpeedZ: 1/100
ƒ/13
ISO 800
100mm Macro Lens
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Tim Borski
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Tim Borski »

Don, that Crowned treefrog is one cool lookin' critter! :thumb:


B. c. sabogae


Image

Tim
Matt Buckingham
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Matt Buckingham »

A Texas horned lizard from a couple of years ago.

Image
Texas Horned Lizard by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

Halloween Snake (Urotheca euryzona)

Neonate
Image


-Don
http://www.RainforestDon.com
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

Took this photo today and really enjoyed it:

Image
Crotalus atrox (Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Shutter SpeedZ: 1/200
ƒ/13
ISO 200
100mm Macro Lens
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spiltbeerpirate
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by spiltbeerpirate »

Still a rookie, but get a decent shot now and again. I liked this sultry over the shoulder look.

Spiny Whorltail Iguana - Stenocercus crassicaudatus
Image

Really enjoy everyones photos.

Cheers,

Ryan
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

Speckled King flipped yesterday:

Image
Lampropeltis getula holbrooki (Speckled Kingsnake) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Shutter SpeedZ: 1/30
ƒ/10
ISO 800
100mm Macro Lens
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ZantiMissKnit
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by ZantiMissKnit »

Kyle, I just saw your close up photos of that exceptionally beautiful king snake.
AsydaBass
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by AsydaBass »

I thought you guys might like this one from last night. American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) eating a Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

Image

-Don
www.RainforestDon.com
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azatrox
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by azatrox »

DAYUMN!!!! That was 9 pages of jaw dropping skills ya'll have shown! I just now found this thread, and will be a regular contributor...I may not have all the metadata from the photos, but I'll post it where available.

Allow me to post 2 photos taken this year....

Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus aestivus)

Image

Canon XSi (450D)
300mm USM IS f/4 prime lens
200 ISO
f/13
1/100 sec.
hand held
no flash

Northern Blacktail rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus molossus)

Image

Canon XSi (450D)
300mm USM IS f/4 prime lens
400 ISO
f/11
1/80 sec.
tripod mounted
no flash

-Kris
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Dell Despain
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Dell Despain »

Rough Green Snake, Opheodrys aestivus
Image
-Dell
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azatrox
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by azatrox »

Greater Earless lizard (Cophosaurus texanus)

Image

Canon XSi (450D)
300mm USM IS f/4 prime lens
200 ISO
f/20
hand held
no flash

-Kris
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azatrox
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by azatrox »

Western Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum piceus)

Image

Canon XSi (450D)
300mm USM IS f/4 prime lens
400 ISO
f/18
handheld
no flash

-Kris
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Dell Despain
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Location: Montana

Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Dell Despain »

Hey Kris, it's "Herp a day" not "two herps a day." You always gotta be special don't ya? :)

Six-Lined Racerunner, Aspidoscelis sexlineatus.
Image
-Dell
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azatrox
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by azatrox »

FINE Dell! (Exasperated sigh and teenage eye roll.) :roll:

Hahahaha

Here's my ONE (UNO!) contribution for today...

Eastern massassauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) - juvenile

Image

Canon XSi (450D)
24-105mm IS USM L series lens
105mm
400 ISO
f/11
1/100 sec.
hand held
no flash

-Kris
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

azatrox wrote:FINE Dell! (Exasperated sigh and teenage eye roll.) :roll:

Hahahaha

Here's my ONE (UNO!) contribution for today...

Eastern massassauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) - juvenile


Canon XSi (450D)
24-105mm IS USM L series lens
105mm
400 ISO
f/11
1/100 sec.
hand held
no flash

-Kris
Here I was beginning to think you didn't have anything except the 300mm lens :lol:


Found near the beach last week:
Image
Crotalus atrox (Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake) by Kyle L.E., on Flickr

Canon Rebel XSI
Shutter SpeedZ: 1/125
ƒ/13
ISO 200
100mm Macro Lens
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azatrox
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by azatrox »

Here I was beginning to think you didn't have anything except the 300mm lens :lol:

LOL...no I carry 4 lenses with me into the field

The aforementioned 300mm
The 24-105mm
A 16-35mm Canon L series wide angle
and a Tamron 90mm macro

I am finding that I'm using the 300mm more and more...I'm a BIG proponent of in situ photography, and the 300mm allows me to fill the frame with the animal without a close approach. I use the 24-105 quite a bit too, but I really enjoy photographing animals as I find them and leaving them as I found them when finished.

-Kris
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Soopaman
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Soopaman »

azatrox wrote:Here I was beginning to think you didn't have anything except the 300mm lens :lol:

I am finding that I'm using the 300mm more and more...I'm a BIG proponent of in situ photography, and the 300mm allows me to fill the frame with the animal without a close approach. I use the 24-105 quite a bit too, but I really enjoy photographing animals as I find them and leaving them as I found them when finished.

-Kris
I was kidding, of course ;)

I do think the shots are neat, and are certainly more applicable in open areas where you can see the herps from a distance. Likely one of the reasons that method of photography is so big in Arizona and some of our desert regions. I find it hard to ever be in a position to photograph something before it sees me here in East Texas.

Anyhow, keep up the good work and I hope to see more of your shots!
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Norman D
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Norman D »

C. ruber ruber
1/250
undiffused pop-up flash
f9
iso 200
100mm
Image
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Owen
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Owen »

Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia tenuis)

Sony SLT-A77, 16-50mm f/2.8 lens at 50mm
Sony HVL-F36AM flash with Graslon Prodigy diffuser
f/8
ISO-125
1/60

Oh yeah, it's a small voucher shot.

Image
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Dell Despain
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Dell Despain »

Pale Milk-snake, Lampropeltis triangulum multistrata
Image
-Dell
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Norman D
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Re: Herp-a-day (pt II)

Post by Norman D »

Crotalus tigris
1/160 sec
no flash
iso500
f5.6
100mm
Image
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