Shooting Herps (part 3)

Okay, so by now you have the gist of what you need to have and get done in order to shoot some good pics.

But let’s take a look at some set-ups … I am including these here just so that you can get an idea of how I took the corresponding picture. This is a guideline. I won’t much get into settings because I typically start somewhere in the middle and then work the settings until it looks better.

First set-up from the shoot over at Dave's house was this:

Whether the flash was on the left or right (this pic is right) it is basically at a 45 degree angle to the subject.

While you see my tripod there, most of the time my camera was NOT on the tripod. It's there and holding my camera to illustrate the angle I shot the herps.

The photo right is taken with this 1 light setup. You'll notice on the left there is plenty of ambient light but the photo to the right has a very dark background thus indicating that I killed the ambient by increasing the shutter speed. While I shot this with a macro lens, you could get a similar result with a telephoto lens. The big difference though is that you have a minimum focusing distance to worry about.

Next, is a more subtle look. It's done with two lights. If you don't have two lights ... well you could get some hotlights from Home Depot. Anyway, this set-up includes the two lights, one is on top of the beige cloth pointing up to the ceiling. The other is directly pointed at the snake. Camera is at the same 45 degree angle as in the first example. The flash to the left is considered the "key" or "primary" light. The second flash is considered a fill light. The flash that is pointing up at the ceiling is using the whiteness of the ceiling to reflect light back down and fill in things. You get less contrast and a little more softness. You can see how the snake's body, on the right side of the photo, is lit which further defines it. Had I ONLY shot with one flash most of the snakes body would have been in complete darkness (it's a dark subject right?).

Taking it yet one step further I have taken the key light and pointed that at the ceiling. Now both flashes are pointed to the ceiling and both reflecting. I had to dramatically increase the power output of the key light since bouncing off the ceiling is a much further distance from flash to ceiling to subject. But notice now the very soft pleasing effect of the two lights. It's very even lighting across the entire image. And since light is bouncing off of that LARGE ceiling it is bouncing back and conveniently filling in all the nooks, crannies, crevices, etc. The shadows are from below and even this could be handled by having someone hold a white reflector (cardboard, whatever) to yet bounce light back up.

Alright moving along. This set-up is shot through the glass. It is very harsh but you could do ANY of the previous set-ups and come up with similar results. The photo at right LOOKS like it's taken at night using some kind of flash. It however as you can see from photo left is taken during the day. Tip: If you want to add some fill, lower the ambient speed AND/OR put a white piece of cardboard or foamcore on the right side of the tank. The light from the flash should bounce back. You could also throw a second light on the other side. Whatever suits your need. Light is your magic and you can manipulate it however you want.

On white. This is probably the most boring but it also is the best if you are trying to illustrate color, texture, size (you can put a measuring tape there), pattern, etc.

If you are going to be selling a pet this is a nice little set-up to really SHOW the animal. I don't usually shoot DOWN on a herp but I am not trying to be artistic I am trying to show a potential "adopter" or buyer (or whatever) what the pet looks like.

Any craft store will carry white paper. A white sheet would work too. You can eliminate the shadow by putting another flash on the other side.

Work with what you got. Deb actually suggested shooting the light through the case and Dave was more than happy to hold it. The snake's cage is white, it's technically a "light modifier" in that it diffuses light much like a large softbox or umbrella.

Whatever your set-up ... try things out. You know with digital photography we no longer have to take notes, wait to get film developed and then either get a bad result or a good one. Digital is instantaneous and we can correct exposure instantly.


As you can see the result is very pleasing. I challenge you to observe your own environment for ways to modify your light. You can shoot through sheets, plastic, glass, shower curtains, whatever you wish.

By the way, you don't have to have the light stands and fancy stuff. A light stand can be replaced by having another person help you and hold the flash. Also, the way I triggered the flashes was with pocket wizards but you can do this by as described in the first article of this series (using a cord) and putting the 2nd flash into slave mode so that it goes off when it see the flash of the first flash.

If you get nothing else from this part of the article, I hope you can see the almost unlimited possibilities with light. You really can get MANY different looks. I encourage you to practice and share with the herp community.

To view the entire set of photos from this article please go here.