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01/23/2004 02:18:07 PM · #1
Ok regrettably i didn't notice that the chinese zodiac contest was a "members only" until after i made my photo.. But i would like your opinion on it if thats ok..

Info: Ok well the meaning behind the photo is the year of the snake. And i used my columbian boa as the model. I tryed my best to make it look authentic, sorta like a chinese painting or something. I thought that it would go well with the subject.

Any comments or sujections are greatly appreciated.

P.S: The snakes name is rosy .. :)

//justincg.web1000.com/DSC01235.jpg
01/23/2004 02:34:01 PM · #2
I'm kind of novice, but I will be more than happy to share my opinion.

The set up/ composition is good, but the light behind the snake takes the eye away from your subject. All the colors work well together. Maybe if you can use a light source to illuminate the snake and its colors, it will bring more interest to your subject.

I would try to maybe use a faster shutter speed, maybe one f-stop higher and a light source on the snake. This would help eliminate the light in the background, and illuminte the subject better.

I really like the idea though, and that's a beautiful snake!
01/23/2004 02:35:08 PM · #3
Damn! You have your own snake? And I thought all we were going to get was pictures of people's dogs! LOL! Didn't we just have an animal contest?

Anyway, I like the composition but find the lighting could be a little better.
01/23/2004 02:37:32 PM · #4
It is a beautiful snake, but I don't think the pose really does it justice. The very thick coiled part of the body occludes part of Rosy's head. I'd like to see more of the head and face.
01/23/2004 02:47:43 PM · #5
I agree with dsa157, more of the head would be better.

Here is an example of more light on the snake, I personally think it adds more interest to you subject.

//brett.cmdx.com/view_photo.php?full=1&set_albumName=Past-Favorites&id=DSC01235
01/23/2004 02:48:11 PM · #6
hehe yeah i have all kinds of animals tarantulas, snakes, rats, lizards, fish.. hehe i have almost a zoo.. :P I didn't like the light sorce from the beginning but it was sorta "get it now or don't get it at all" since we were fixing to leave right before i did it.. But i'll see what i can do tonight.. Do you mind if i come up with something better to post it in the form? even if the contest already finneshed?

i can't change my shutter speed on my cam, figures i buy the one cam by sony that doesn't alow that..lol
But what type of light should i use? I have different types in my house, i might be able to come up with something.
01/23/2004 02:52:45 PM · #7
ohh i like what you did.. i'll have to fool around with it more... I would like to get more of the head in the shot... It was hard trying to get her to stay still because we were in the room next to my rats, and i think she was wanting a snack.. hehe
01/23/2004 02:54:08 PM · #8
I would think a directional light (small desk lamp, flashlight, work light, etc) could be pretty dramatic and draw attention to a portion of the snake.
01/23/2004 03:00:36 PM · #9
ok i'll have to try that.. :)

So you all think that "chinese painting" was a good idea? I was reading about the chinese zodiac earlyer and they all kinds of paintings on the site, and it inspired me. :)

The most interesting one was the According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled one day as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finish.

All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the pig last.


I was going to use my rat as the subject, but he's WAY to active.. :)
01/23/2004 03:04:22 PM · #10
I have no prfessional lights, but I have serval sources. A flashlight set back far enough so that there isn't too much light, a lamp in front of her, etc. Just play around with different sources and angles to find something that works for you. When you do, wait till you get the right pose from her and shoot it a few times.

"i can't change my shutter speed on my cam..."
Can you set the f-stop (aperture)? If so, use f/4 or something close. This will stop some of the light from your cage light coming in. If you can't, then maybe turn the light off for a second to try different shots.
01/23/2004 03:22:01 PM · #11
It has differt setting for light on my cam, but it doesn't state is its f/4 or f/8 or whatnot.. I think the default on it is f/8.. It shows these symbles for light. "fluorescent light", "sun", "clouds", light bulb". So i'm guessing these are changeing the light withen the cam.

01/23/2004 04:18:20 PM · #12
Originally posted by justincg:

It has differt setting for light on my cam, but it doesn't state is its f/4 or f/8 or whatnot.. I think the default on it is f/8.. It shows these symbles for light. "fluorescent light", "sun", "clouds", light bulb". So i'm guessing these are changeing the light withen the cam.


I believe these settings change the tone of your picture to give it the listed effect. I have the same thing, but have never used them. It should probably auto-adjust to the light it sees on your subject, so just try setting up a light source and see how different sources and angles come out. It used f/2.8 with your original pic, so if you shine more light at your subject, it will probably close a little more to adjust. Hope this helps!
01/23/2004 04:21:54 PM · #13
ok awesome.. i did a test shot with just a branch and a directional light, and a blue tint fluorescent light, and it came out 1000 times better.. so later on tonight i'll get some more shots and post my results.. :)
01/23/2004 06:33:22 PM · #14
And all I have is a dog. Pfffttt
01/23/2004 06:49:17 PM · #15
hehe dogs can be fun too. :)
01/24/2004 01:53:03 AM · #16
here is the newer version ..

I added a water color filter, because i wanted a authentic feel to it.. sorta like a chinese painting.

In "my documents"
//briefcase.yahoo.com/over_the_counter_prozac
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