Hello!

I will take a quick minute to introduce myself and tell everyone what I doing because this is my first post.

By education I'm a Marine Biologist but for years now I have bred reptiles as a hobby. Over the years I have amassed a long long list missed photo opportunities related to my work and travels around the world, as well as interesting events here at home.

I didn't grow up with a normal family, so I do not have pictures of myself. The reason I mention this, is because I didn't grow up with a camera! No one took pics of me and I didn't take pics of anything. So when I hit my 20s and started to travel for work, I just never thought about pictures or a camera.

As I'm getting older and sharing stories with friends and family, or even reminiscing to myself I wish I had pictures to flip through. That being said, I had no background with photography even on a basic level.

So I've gone out and bought a decent camera and some basic equipment. I've gone to a class and read a half dozen books. So now I figure I am ready to start to take pics!

So what kinds of pics do I want to take?

After being absent from the web with pics of my animals, I have found that over time, I am losing customers and interest to my competition. I'm not running a big business here, but part of working with the genetic lines requires breding, and that requires finding homes for the offspring I produce. Before the web was around and when it was still in it's infancy, I found a website not important. However the new people to the hobby, seem to not know anything BUT the web! It's clear I need a presence.

My wife is a recent Graphic Design graduate and I have decided to put her to work making a website etc for me!

Obviously I want to build content for the site, and I realize how powerful a good picture is. After studying I have come to appreciate how much talent, skill and knowledge goes into good photography that I have a whole new level or respect, and interest in pursuing other avenues of Photography.

For now I want to start with my animals at home to populate my site with pics. I want my pics to be engaging, quality shots that show something special the average photo of this style does not have.

The thing is, I don't know how to tell if I have it yet!

I've found this site because posting my pics on Snake websites does not get me a critique. Mostly just "Nice pic" or "Wish I could have pics like that" but nothing to help me progress my skill.

So I throw myself at you professionals to tell me where I need to improve!

These shots are resized and cropped in MS paint because that is all I have. Other then that, they are shot in jpg straight off the camera.

On one part of the page I will write a little article explaining my breeding methods and I wanted a few shots to go along with it. I want to capture the hatchlings first moments after they leave the egg and venture out into the world. They are not intended to show the whole animal in a for sale listing, just to capture a little of their spirit if I can even say that? Not sure how to say what I am thinking here! This is my first attempt to take pics that are really good and not just technically correct.

Thank you in advance for reading this far and your time, I greatly appreciate it!

Justin, I think these are incredibly cool. I love the snake emerging from its egg(sorry if I don't use proper terms)

I don't really know what to tell you to improve them. They are fairly well composed, sharp and have good color.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for adding such captivating images. We are used to soft fuzzy and you are adding an interesting alternative to the pet section. The first image is wonderful. I also appreciate you introduction. Glad you joined us.

LOL, I hate snakes. Having said that, these are just great!! Thanks for sharing.

James

Thank you for the input everyone. I guess I should note that the head of the snake is about 1/4" wide, to give scale

Julie,

Your terms are good enough! Pipping is the term used to describe the hatchling breaking through the egg if you really want to though.

Peggysue & James,

As for cute & fuzzy I have a Shiba Inu, as if one was not enough I have 2 lol.

I can tell you this, after having a pet Snake:

Snakes don't smell after they get wet or leave hair everywhere. No muddy footprints, nothing chewed on, can be left alone for 7-10 days no problem, don't need to be let out to pee so you're not chained to coming home. They don't fight over things for no reason other then they can and they don't bark! If you have a busy life or you just want a low maintenance pet you can't beat a small snake!

As for the images; I will have to take some more challenging shots, these ones were a god place to start however, I don't have the equipment I need to take the shots I would like next.

That being said, is there anything I could do to improve these shots in PS? I actually picked up a copy of Lightroom 2 to learn myself but my wife can use CS4 to do anything necessary till I get going.

Thanks everyone

I love the Shiba Inu breed and have considered them for my home. Their life style is just as you described and are like my Sibs therefore I have thought, although briefly, that a type of dog that is bit more eager to please me might be nice. Both breeds seem to have their own agenda high on their list.

Regarding PS the two images, the second image I do not believe is designed in a way that PS could be of use. The out of focus foliage (forgive me, I too do not know terminology for the stuff around the snake) is a distraction. I am sure if your wife has some of the text book readings on design, I would start there when composing the shot. What is the stuff?

The first shot could be cropped to create a more dynamic image. You are already starting out with a subject that can cause a reaction. Now it is up to you to work the viewers eyes to want to stay in the image. (That is if they are not afraid of snakes!)

Welcome! This is going to be great fun!

I really like herps (reptiles and amphibians). I used to be a professional zookeeper (doing a 3 yr stint in the reptile bdg at the major zoo here), so I can really appreciate what you're doing.

Those are awesome shots! What camera/lens? I'd love to see your info on the shots.

What other species do you work with?

I also enjoy 'shooting' little critters at home (I've been trying small fast moving fish in irregularly shaped glass bowls, lol -- talk about challenging!) I took way too many frames of a salamander in my garden a while back, and love macro work, so I am very excited to see you here.

Again, welcome aboard!