Home-made light box

[ada-man-teus]

Heres a few pics of some rattlesnakes in a light box my girlfriend made for her photography class. First time using a lightbox and happy with the results. Ive seen images with blacked out backgrounds. How can I accomplish that look? Thanks for any suggestions. Enjoy

Crotalus ruber (red diamond rattlesnake)male
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8373615443_7724595edd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78653532@N06/8373615443/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8374689228_a4b77a7858.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78653532@N06/8374689228/)

Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus(mojave rattlesnake) female
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8374691446_d5f2f98610.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78653532@N06/8374691446/)

Mojave male
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8373621247_6d8422eb20.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78653532@N06/8373621247/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8045/8373620653_e0be5d7384.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78653532@N06/8373620653/)

Sistrurus miliarius barbouri(dusky pigmy rattlesnake)Anerythristic male
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8375224920_4113627a99.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78653532@N06/8375224920/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8374150545_9848f1949c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/78653532@N06/8374150545/)

[Ivanator]

Those are some nice looking snakes! I don't know how people black out the backgrounds, but if they look this nice with the white, I can't imagine how much their colors will pop with the black. I can't wait till I get my first crotalus. Keep these pics coming!

[ada-man-teus]

Thanks for your comments. I do think the white really shows the colors off better...but Im always looking to try and create a different look...more than anyting it gives me an opportunity to work with the herps....what is the regulations in cali. concerning hots? If I lives in Cali Id hace eastern indigos....but unfortunately they ae native here and endangered...

[BarelyBreathing]

Blacked out background= camera settings; Aperture 16, exposure comp +0.3-0.5, flash output at -0.5.

[marvelfreak]

Stunning snakes and pictures.

[Pareeeee]

Amazing shots - I'd like to see how the home-made light-box was made.

Blacked out background= camera settings; Aperture 16, exposure comp +0.3-0.5, flash output at -0.5.
^^^ and yep, for black background usually you can just rely on the camera settings. To ensure an entirely black background, purchase a black sheet to set the reptile on. If you want to get some really cool shots, buy a ring flash on ebay.

[ada-man-teus]

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/photography-discussion/97601-home-made-light-box.html#post809123

very simple and inexpensive. thanks for tips on blacking out background..I am going to try that.

[BarelyBreathing]

Make sure you do it in a well lit area with a dark background, although, this picture was taken during day time in a white room:
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m611/SnakeShed/Birdies/_DSC0078.jpg

Not completely black, but close enough. The key in this picture is that the photo subject was far enough away from the background so it didn't really matter.