Tips from the experts

[Calihusker]

Any tips on how to keep my boa a bit more... still, whilst taking photos?

Any other tips in general on snake photographing would be great too. :)

[mykee]

Flick them on the head. They'll curl up a bit and you've got a few seconds to work.

[Calihusker]

Flick them on the head. They'll curl up a bit and you've got a few seconds to work.


"Flick them"..?

[red ink]

"Flick them"..?

Slight tap to the head... to make them back off, not hard enough to retreat but just "pose up" figuring out what's going on.

You end up with shots like this... where they pause in strike pose for a bit.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/stimsons/5cbc70c0.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn214/Red-Ink-Buldogs/stimsons/c7767a15.jpg

[MoreliAddict]

I have a tip if you're taking pics with an iphone...

[Calihusker]

I have a tip if you're taking pics with an iphone...

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

I don't know how good it is, I just rented it. But it seems ok.

[Revenant]

I just lightly- can't think of a better word- 'chop' my cupped hand down in front of them when they move. I don't tap the snake, just right into it's path, it might bump it's nose into my palm if it is moving quickly. Same effect as the tap for mine.After a few, it just makes them draw back and seem to consider the situation for a moment.

It also helps if you take some small measures to make sure they feel secure. Give them a second to adjust, let them move on their own instead of constantly trying to pose them yourself, if you can limit the hubbub around them it can help, etc.

I'm not an expert, though. I'm a fairly crappy photographer.

[marvelfreak]

Give them something to wrap around they feel more secure and won't move around as much. A branch to climb on works good.

[bcr226]

I do a test flash from the camera or use a separate flash bulb to pause the snake if needed. I have a Canon Rebel XT that has the ability to get great motion shots so I can adjust the settings to get some really cool shots that way too.

It's amazing how the flash bulb technique works on little kids too. I could share some of my pics but for some reason the forum won't allow me to link to an image on photobucket.

[bcr226]

Let's see if I can do this now...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr136/efillc/Snakes/IMG_1128.jpg

and...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr136/efillc/Snakes/Flash/Warmheartedfriends.jpg

[dinosaurdammit]

To get my snake to do things I want:

To look at me- slightly blow air from my mouth, it helps to eat something like a hotdog for added smell, it makes them go "oh hey whats that smell"

To stop- tap them, or bump the floor. They go still without coiling

To get jerry rice to stand up I put a bit of lemon or juice on my finger and point it at him, then slowly raise it and he will follow it wondering what that acid smell is

[Corey209]

To get a tongue shot I usually just wave my finger in front of their face.

[Lankyrob]

To get a tongue shot I usually just wave my finger in front of their face.

If i did that with my Carpet i would lose my finger :p:shocked::p

[SnakeyJay]

To get my snake to do things I want:

To look at me- slightly blow air from my mouth, it helps to eat something like a hotdog for added smell, it makes them go "oh hey whats that smell"

I gotta say, this sounds like a quick way to get a bite to the face... Surely the instinct is "I'm getting breathed on, I'm about to get eaten.. " :) just an opinion.

[dinosaurdammit]

I gotta say, this sounds like a quick way to get a bite to the face... Surely the instinct is "I'm getting breathed on, I'm about to get eaten.. " :) just an opinion.

Mine are never hungry and are never afraid. I give them no reason for either.

http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii538/dinosaurdammit/Photoon2013-01-18at11012_zpsa854c7b3.jpg?t=1359142325

this was my poor snake like 4 days ago, she was doing so well too.