Starting point, setup info

[sclark]

Hi All,

I have been trying to figure some possible tips that may help start to expand ideas. So I was thinking of one question I am asked alot. It is about setup. I had to keep in mind that most of you have a digital camera with a basic flash attached that is not moveable. So I put myself in this situation and figured I would do a basic shoot with things almost everyone has laying around the house. I also remembered to back off the setup so everyone can see how basic and easy this is to do.

I took one piece of material that I got at Wal-Mart for like 6 bucks. I use this folded up for the top of a 4 foot tank. I also used 3 basic clips that most have laying around the house, and I took one of the stick clibing things from one of my snakes. I also had (sorry out of the range of the setup shot) 2 pieces of foam core. One to the left and one to the right. Both put at 45 degree angles..

I set this up on my desk, nothing fancy at all. These pics are not cropped or corrected in any way. These are by no means the best I can do, but I really think this setup may help start some ideas for yourselfs. I took two pics with flash and two without..

Please feel free to ask any questions, or suggest anything you may have used that worked in that past for you to help out other members..

Hope this helps a little.

Best Regards
Steve

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

This one is the setup and was taken with a basic flash.
Steve

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

This is the other one taken with flash.. Notice how its a little washed out, but the colors are better and more balanced. The fake wood climb is really that color. You will see the difference in the no flash shot.
Steve

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

This is one without the flash. You can see the wood looks yellowish. That because of the halogen light I have in the room. It is balanced close to a regular light bulb, so it makes things shift a little yellow.

Steve

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

This is the last one. It was also done without a flash. If you look at the eyes you will see the extra light that was reflected by the piece of foam core.

Again this setup took 4 mins to put up. Took longer for the little guy to settle down and stop trying to get on the top of the desk and start looking at me, or close to it..

My suggestion is to play. Digital is great that way. All these shots were taken less then 30 mins ago..

Steve

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

Let me know if these types of lessons are at all helpful. If not, let me know how I could make them better..

Steve

[Denny_Rimes]

Re:Starting point, setup info

Steve,
Any and all of this information is helping me. Unfortunately, I know so little about digital cameras it is difficult to come up with good questons. I recently purchased a Minolta Dimage 404 and have yet to get consistent good shots. Thanks to your posts though, I am getting better with each try!
~Denny

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

Hi Drimes,

I am glad the info is helping.. Digital cameras are semi new to me, but since I have a long history with photograpy, just had to learn the new curve involving digital versus film..

Now about your camera. I do not know that particular camera, but I do have a friend who shoots with Minolta Dimage cameras and will check with him to see if there are some tricks to learn with it.. Let me see what I can find out..

Steve

[Denny_Rimes]

Re:Starting point, setup info

You're the best, Steve!
Thanks,
Denny

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

Hey Denny,

OK, I looked over the info on the camera. All looks good on that. I am waiting for that guy to get back from his trip so i might be able to quiz him on the camera and find out if it has any qurks with it.. I will for sure let you know..

Steve

[Denny_Rimes]

Re:Starting point, setup info

Steve,

Tried some of your suggestions, how's this?

~Denny

[Doug]

Re:Starting point, setup info

WOW,
That picture of the head is beautiful every scale is clear..
I wish I could get one of a Guyana up close like that.
Its hard to tell where the color ends and the eye begins on the guyana's up close. They have a color patch runnin vertical thru their eye and back along the face..excellent ...
doug

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

Hey Drimes..

I like alot... What may help abit more is to move your backround further away so it blurs out abit more. The boa is sweet looking.. Not sure if you camera has macro on it, but if it does, try to mix in a few close up face shots. It almost looks like he is posing for you..LOL

Keep shooting and showing up..

Steve

[sclark]

Re:Starting point, setup info

Hey Doug,

Thanks.. Now why don't you try to shoot some like that. Does your camera have a macro.. If you do, shoot some and we can figure ways to make them better. I do that with mine all the time..

Steve

[Denny_Rimes]

Re:Starting point, setup info

Hi Steve,

Yes, the camera does have a macro setting. Here are a couple head shots, what do you think?
By the way, I truly appreciate your input. I could not find snake specific photo advice anywhere else, even if I tried!!

Denny