Photography methods, anyone?

[thestack510]

I've been trying to get quality pictures of my Leos and it is very challenging. I'm interested in hearing what those of you out there with experience in this matter have to say. Hatchlings of course are the most difficult. I have three decent methods for getting good pics so far:

1. Take the Leo out and let it tire itself out a little bit running around, then when you've noticed it calm down a bit try and get some shots.

2. Wait until right after a feeding and try to catch the Leo while it has a full belly and it is relaxed.

3. Place a deli cup over the Leo and remove it when you think you can get a nice shot. (This method hasn't been kind to me.)

Any other suggestions? My biggest problem has to be lighting. I would really appreciate some help with this. I often get over exposure from the flash and am left with a white outline of a gecko. I'm still experimenting with my camera's options, but I don't fully understand some of them yet. Please weigh in on this subject. Thank you.

 

[fallen_angel]

I actually just tried doing method #3 earlier tonight and it worked out pretty well. Other than that, I just keep trying and trying until I get a good picture (takes a lot of patience sometimes!)

As for lighting, I always get overexposed pictures unless I use the macro option (the icon looks like a flower). Macro also captures better close-up pics with great detail.

 

[nats]

I have tried several time to get nice shots of them through the glass, and it just does not work. All out of focus!
Maybe the glass is screwing up the auto-focus?
I have a Nikon CoolPix 8700, and have tried all kinds of settings to get a good pic.
so far, no luck.
I wanted to avoid having to take my leos out of their homes to take pictures, but it looks like I may have to.

Can anyone give me any tips?

 

[nats]

I've been trying to get quality pictures of my Leos and it is very challenging. I'm interested in hearing what those of you out there with experience in this matter have to say. Hatchlings of course are the most difficult. I have three decent methods for getting good pics so far:

1. Take the Leo out and let it tire itself out a little bit running around, then when you've noticed it calm down a bit try and get some shots.

2. Wait until right after a feeding and try to catch the Leo while it has a full belly and it is relaxed.

3. Place a deli cup over the Leo and remove it when you think you can get a nice shot. (This method hasn't been kind to me.)

Any other suggestions? My biggest problem has to be lighting. I would really appreciate some help with this. I often get over exposure from the flash and am left with a white outline of a gecko. I'm still experimenting with my camera's options, but I don't fully understand some of them yet. Please weigh in on this subject. Thank you.

If I have to stress my animal to get a picture, forget it, #1 would be out of the question for me.
I go more for #2. Also, you can get some very interesting shots at feeding time when they are hungry and excited. I have seen some really cute poses with this method.
I like to use soft room light and no flash w/ slightly longer exposer (subject needs to be still to prevent bluring). You get better depth of field using longer exposers. Also, avoid flouresent light. It screws with the natural colors. Try some haligen lighting, it looks way more natural.
Now, if I can only learn to shoot through glass!! :main_huh:

 

[nats]

I actually just tried doing method #3 earlier tonight and it worked out pretty well. Other than that, I just keep trying and trying until I get a good picture (takes a lot of patience sometimes!)

As for lighting, I always get overexposed pictures unless I use the macro option (the icon looks like a flower). Macro also captures better close-up pics with great detail.

Are you turning your flash OFF when using macro?

 

[adhdkarate]

another thing you can try to soften the flash up a bit is to take a white paper towel or napkin, fold it over so there are 2 layers covering the flash, this will help the light spread evenly and also dampen it down enough to provide ample light while not overexposing.

 

[adhdkarate]

also white masking tape will do this as well.

 

[nats]

another thing you can try to soften the flash up a bit is to take a white paper towel or napkin, fold it over so there are 2 layers covering the flash, this will help the light spread evenly and also dampen it down enough to provide ample light while not overexposing.

You should be able to turn the flash off.
Depending on your camera, sometimes if you cover the flash, you are also covering the sensor that bounces a laser beam from the subject and back to the camera. If you cover that sensor, you can not take the picture.

Sounds like you can do it with your camera, but not all will let you.

If you can not turn your flash off (or adjust it) that is worth a try.

 

[fallen_angel]

Are you turning your flash OFF when using macro?

No, if I turn the flash off, the shutter speed slows down for some reason and so then all I get it really blurry pics unless the gecko is sitting absolutely still.

 

[nats]

No, if I turn the flash off, the shutter speed slows down for some reason and so then all I get it really blurry pics unless the gecko is sitting absolutely still.

Have you tried lighting your subject with a spot, then turn the flash off?
Your auto ASA should tell the camera it has enough light, and bypass the need for flash.

 

[fallen_angel]

Yes, but that requires help from someone else, and I'm usually by myself when taking pics :main_rolleyes:

 

[nats]

No, if I turn the flash off, the shutter speed slows down for some reason and so then all I get it really blurry pics unless the gecko is sitting absolutely still.

Shutter speed is slowing down because the camera thinks you dont have enough light.

 

[fallen_angel]

Thanks for the info nats

 

[nats]

Yes, but that requires help from someone else, and I'm usually by myself when taking pics :main_rolleyes:

No it doesnt.

Just get a clamp-on light w/ reflector fixture and a halogen spot (better yet, 2, one for front and one for fill).

Clamp it to whatever is convenient.

 

[Wreptile]

I also have this problem. When I use macro, with flash on, the whole picture is white because of the flash.
When I use macro without the flash, it can't cocentrate and the whole picture is just a big blur.

Any help?

 

[nats]

I also have this problem. When I use macro, with flash on, the whole picture is white because of the flash.
When I use macro without the flash, it can't cocentrate and the whole picture is just a big blur.

Any help?

Did you try Zac's suggestion (post 6)?

I guess you cant turn the flash off in macro?

I dont understand why camera designers make camers flash when in macro anyway!! :main_huh:
You are so close to the subject, of course a flash is going to ruin the picture!!

Here's a (unpopular) suggestion: get a new camera

 

[fallen_angel]

No it doesnt.

Just get a clamp-on light w/ reflector fixture and a halogen spot (better yet, 2, one for front and one for fill).

Clamp it to whatever is convenient.

Maybe one of these days!

 

[nats]

Maybe one of these days!

LOL! the good thing is, clamp-on fixtures are pretty cheap at Home Depot.

The bad thing is, good halogen spots are not so cheap!

But that's how I take my pics (all by myself, as usual), esp. when I have eBay auctions.

 

[LimaMikeSquared]

Hello

Using a external light source from the camera and turning the flash off would give better results and not cause over exposure. But if you are using flash make sure when you meter the camera (half button press usually) that the subject fills the frame and there is nothing in front of it - as flashes mostly to help distance to meter themselves when inbuilt into the camera.

The other thing would to be to photograph in daylight if you have easily movable housing like a large critter keeper. But I get the feeling my geckos are odd that they don't use their hides at all when sleeping and don't always sleep in the day. lol.

Julie x

 

[nats]

Stupid auto-everything digital cameras can be a real pain.

I prefer soft light. That way I can slow the shutter speed down w/o over exposer.
For a still subject, the longer the exposer, the better the depth and detail.

But alot of the cheaper consumer cameras make it hard to experiment.

Everything is "point and shoot", no thinking! :main_rolleyes: