Really?
After my recent photos shoot with a Water Moccasin, I received some questions about getting such fantastic photos of a dangerous snake. Since I actually do a bit of work to make sure that I get the best photos that I can, I figured I would clue you all in and show you how I do it.
DISCLAIMER: As always, just because I do something does not mean that anyone else should. Many things that I do frequently have been considered dangerous or even dumb by others, and I am in no way attempting to encourage others to try this. I am simply showing how I take better photos of dangerous animals.
A SIMPLE HOW TO VIDEO
TIPS AND POINTERS
The basics of my photo tips fall into two categories: setting/background & distance vs. zoom. I'll deal with the setting/background first.
When you locate a wild animal, it may not be in the best location for a stellar photo shoot. Even with getting a closer shot, you can only improve the photo so much, because the setting/background limits the awesomeness of the photo.
In situations like this, I prefer to relocate the animal to a better setting, which enhances the background. Though this makes the photo staged because of me relocating the animal, it is still in its natural environment, so the animal does not look out of place.
Here you can see the same snake in a better location, which makes for a much better photograph.
DISTANCE VS. ZOOM
For me, even though the capabilities of technology are incredible, it still can't always produce the best results. The zoom feature on a camera is provided to give the effect of being closer to the subject being photographed. However, I believe that for the best results, actually being closer is better.
In my opinion, a photograph looks better when it was actually taken up close, rather than from far away with the camera lens adjusting the image to make it appear like it was closer. Others may have their own ideas about this, but that is how I feel about it.
If you are able to understand exactly what is the "safe range" around a dangerous animal, then you can understand how close your camera can actually be. This will allow you to have to zoom much less, which may enhance the quality of your photographs.
Hopefully this answers the rest of those questions about how I get the photographic results that I do. I don't consider myself to be a "photographer" and if I am, I'm an amateur. However, I think that each of us have the opportunity to take some amazing photos as we live our lives, so why not make them the best that we can?
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-taking-better-photographs-of-dangerous-animals
Until next time…
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I would use the LOPDI technique. ( Let Other People Do It ) :)
LOL!
Me too! 😂 Too risky!!
I am really amazed that you dared to stand so close to the snake. Aren't you afraid that it will attack you. I noticed that you are not wearing shoes when you picked the snake up. I supposed you are well versed with how to handle them.
Great photo and well done as usual with all your post.
Thanks for sharing
@jackpot
It's just what I do. I try to stay a safe distance away.
You are a legend! @papa-pepper
Around here at least. Thanks @keerthi!
Thank you and stay safe always.
@jackpot
It seems you feel very comfortable and relaxed with any animal, wild or not :-). I myself am not really scared of snakes but more of mice under our kitchen. I think you would easily survive in the jungle for days or weeks, hunting for food. :-).
with animals I will stay with zoom option anyways - but hats off for you for not taking an easy way
you are brave. and i am not insane, i am freaking scarred of snakes. i would think a thousand time before putting my foot in bush.... so clearly i would think a million times before getting that close to a snake.... there is no safe range for me.....
Thanks @papa-pepper, I am planning to find some snakes to photograph this season, as it starts to head into spring. "Safe distance" ... gulp
Don't blame me... and nonvenomous snakes photograph very well - FYI
Okay. You're one helluva crazy dude! (In a good way!) - I hate snakes. I'm afraid of snakes. I can't stand snakes. I lift my feet up if I see a snake on a photo or in a movie. Just like I did now when I watched your video.
I know it's ridiculous, but I can't help it. - You are basically holding your camera on the snake when you take your photos..... - It's amazing and scary at the same time. You're freaking me out... But I can't stop watching your videos.
Thank you for all the effort you put in and thanks for being amazing!
Glad to hear that you still like the videos! We are having fun recording and sharing this stuff, since it's what I like to do anyway.
I read and watch most of the things you publish. I've been doing that for a long period of time. You're a really, really cool guy. And for the love of god, don't stop with the things you do, but be careful! :D
I will. I'll keep being me, carefully...
Thanks @hitmeasap!
LOL, Only @papa-pepper can pull off carrying a water moccasin with barbecue tongs like it was yesterday's leftover sausage, real bad azz 😎
rather you than me! man that sure looks like some dangerous work ...but agreed for good photography it is always best to up close with the subject. Zoom should always be a last resort! Or for making huge moon photos and things ... so, there are many sides to the story. For wildlife, close up has the most realistic impact.
Thanks!
What a danger.
It is necessary to have a lot of caution when they are going to realize this type of works, we do not let the passion blind us of the danger that is has.
Fully agreed! Thanks for stressing that point!
You're welcome @papa-pepper
Thank you for sharing the experience.
And continue doing what we like au au au :p
nice post upvoted your vote is important for me @deshwal
Awesome post! Thank you for sharing, keep up the great content!
Thanks man! I will!
Great photography tips and technics. It helped me to know the basics and of taking pictures of dangerous animals. Thanks a lot to you.
Wow...nice post !!!
Wowser! I don't know how you do it, I would be so scared! But hey, that is pretty cool!
amazing photo
Okay do a lion next! Lol kidding. Thanks for this interesting post. You are our Nat Geo for Steemit ;p
Thank you!
Oh thank you my friend for showing us how you do to have such terrific shots, I am among the ones always wondering how you do it! Still very brave to approach the wild animals like that!
You are absolutely right about the zoom feature, i feel the same. Get closer to the subject gives a better result!
Yup, you just have to be extra careful getting close to some subjects! Thanks my friend!
good post
That's good advice @papa-pepper ... I'm only starting myself in photography :)
professional but risky pics
To close for comfort!
Wow !
Great shots !
Thanks for the tips @papa-pepper !
I would use pepper spray...
Steve Irwin of blockchain era. Mad respect!!
I agree with your opinion,to produce a beautiful photo taking of her have to close
Thanks For Sharing..:-)
I am new on steemit, Keep it Up !
( Best Of Luck )
Oh my God ..be careful papa-pepper..see that your passion for photography doesn't cost you..but really hats off for your courage .
I will be careful! Thanks!
Apparently the snake isn't that dangerous if you can get that close. Any other aggressive snake perhaps like the cobra, would have made you blind by now, well if you ain't wearing glasses that is. The snake would have probably stricken already. I think if the snake was really that dangerous, he wouldn't get that close to it. Hunched over and almost with his face in it and he was able to pick it up smoothly. I don't know the species of the snake, neither am I an animal expert. The only thing I like to watch when he was younger, was Discovery Channel, Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter. I think for a really aggressive snake, you need a camera with a long zoom range. Snakes also tend to be defensive Strikers, when it comes to humans. There are just a handful that would actually attack, as in chasing you.
By "dangerous" I mean that it is a venomous pit viper. Personally, I have never met an actually aggressive snake, though I've encountered hundreds in the wild. The only venomous ones I've been able to meet in the wild so far are all pit vipers : Copperhead, Water Moccasin, & Pygmy Rattlesnake
A defensive venomous snake can be dangerous, so I always try to be careful.
Great post, your very brave. Thank you
😵😵😵😵I can not believe it, I'm really scared of snakes, brrr. But you took her picture so close. good job !!!
Thank you for this educational post. I recently posted a story about blogging and the importance of blogging on Steemit, also about how I liked to read interesting posts, and how much I can learn from reading those post. This was a very interesting one. I don't know if I dare to come so close, but anyway I learned how to do it!!
Oh god... even though I know how to take better photo of dangerous animals, I think I can't because I'm coward haha... but I will try it once later haha Thanks. By the way, I keep writing about Denmark exchange student life and Europe travel. If you are interested in it, visit my post :)
Yikes .. this post just gives me the heeebbie geebies!!! The hair on my arms is standing up!!!! You are crazzzyyyy!!!! I am taking away some great photo taking tips but man you creeped me out on this one .. I cannot even imaging getting that close to a snake .. uuhhh uuuhhh :) Keep doing what you do .. I appreciate you !!! SUNSHINE247
Together with my son we start reading your blogs for several weeks now, we like it very much. My son is also into animals and I post some blogs already. Maybe he reach the same as you do. Enjoy nature, love to be there and looking for animals and finally make good blogs. Thanks for all the info and pictures you bring !
See some nice blogs here my son was "in the wild"
https://steemit.com/animals/@livelifefullest/terrarium-my-son-made-on-holiday
https://steemit.com/animals/@livelifefullest/grasshopper-catched-by-my-son
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From what you said, I think the key is you know your subject. You mentioned a couple of the behaviors of the snake, one being it's striking distance. I'm guessing you might not handle a coiled rattle snake quite the same. Because the subject is different. Different striking distance and behavior.
The only rattlesnakes I've met so far are all Pygmy Rattlesnakes, but they are fun to photograph.
You forgot to mention that you need to take your shoes off to get the best pictures.
Hey, @papa-pepper! I think I will leave the close ups of the dangerous animals to you. lol You have much more experience with these dangerous creatures than I do, so I say leave to those that know. I really appreciate all that you do to bring us some amazing photos of wild creatures in their habitat. So, Thank you!
A really good camera with a great lens on it. You should see the shots I get with a lens not even meant for the type of photography I capture with it. I use it for those creatures you can't get up and personal with, though if you don't have a really good camera then yes the closer you are to the subject the better the photo will turn out.
Looks very dangerous to me!!
Damn! You really are a wild-man @papa-pepper! By the way who's taking the vid? Hehe
One of my little helpers.