Question about taking pictures of leopard geckos

[Klogue1]

So finally got a camera (well, my parents, but it's still pretty awesome), and now I don't really know how to use it. lol

I think it's a GE X5 Power Pro Series according to the specs listed all over it, since my parents don't have the box and papers any more.

I did some searching and found out I should turn the Macro on, which I did, and it improved the photos a lot... but still pretty icky

Here's the best pic I could get of Pidge (after my mom came in and she ran to my foot for safety):
http://s1076.photobucket.com/albums/w445/Klogue1/?action=view&current=GEDC0615.jpg

But then, here are two pics I got while camping this week:
http://s1076.photobucket.com/albums/w445/Klogue1/?action=view&current=GEDC0564.jpg
http://s1076.photobucket.com/albums/w445/Klogue1/?action=view&current=GEDC0579.jpg

The frog is my favorite and it's so much cleaner and nicer!

Could anyone help me figure out the right settings to get better pics of my leos (and other pets I decide to photograph haha)? I just love the detail so much of all of the frog pictures I got (I took a lot! lol) and wish I could capture that same beauty with my leos.

Also, sorry if this is the wrong forum, I figured maybe it should go in "Show off your leos" but that's not really photography but more pictures of peoples' leos.

 

[Klogue1]

LOL just noticed on my camera the date is wrong, so my Photobucket pics of the frog and my dog Louey say they were taken tomorrow April 8th! I hate the date thing so I took it off before I took a pic of Pidge. But that's kinda funny.

 

[katie_]

It takes a lot of practice.
Try positioning your camera closer, and then futher away to see which is clearer.
With my camera, the lens has to pretty much be touching the gecko for the macro to work.

 

[justinadavid1104]

macro is only designed to be used in close up shots of small obects for ex your geckos eye, or a scale on its body

 

[BadKelpie]

That's an easy one, light. If you don't have enough light coming in, the shutter has to stay open longer, creating more blur. Turn on flash or go outside (if your gecko won't take off). The frog picture has the proper lighting, which is why it is so much more clear.