Taking pics of herps in water/wet herps?

[Kyle Barker]

I have been trying to take pics of frogs and salamanders but have noticed that the flash makes all the water look white. i have to use the flash because i am usually out at night. Is there any way of taking pics without this happening? The big problem is i cant really wait too long for the camara to do its thing because the animal usually only sits still for a few seconds.
thanks for any help.
Here is an example of what im talking about.


kyle

[fr0glet]

You need to bounce your flash instead of aiming it directly. If you're using a point-and-shoot camera that gets a little tough. Your best bet would be to both diffuse the flash and bounce it so it reflects off something like a white piece of paper. I've rigged up craziness with a piece of frosted plastic over the flash to diffuse, a mirror taped in front of the flash at a 45 degree angle, and white paper directly over the subject. It takes practice.

You can also try backing off some, using a "night flash" feature on your camera, or flipping on your vivarium lights for a second and using that is your lighting instead of the flash.

hth

[Lisa]

another thing you could try is an alternative lightsource such as a bright flashlight.

[Kyle Barker]

Thanks.
Frog: Your ideas make perfect sense, however when im waste deep in sludge with bushes everywhere and the damn from seconds from jumoing away, i dont think it would work to great. But yes i am definatly going to try that with my own personal collection where i can spend some time at it.
Lisa: I am seriously thingking about getting a diving light. My flashlights SUCK

Thanks for the help

kyle

[matt_winter]

very cool