August 2011 Photo & Caption Comments Thread

[Stefan-A]

Comments about this month's photo and caption contest get posted here, so that we keep the contest threads free of clutter.

Before submitting any pictures, please read the rules.

[guidofatherof5]

Good theme Odie. Thanks.

Thanks also to Stefan for posting it in a timely fashion. Gives us all plenty of time to post an entry.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah, dont mess up like I did:rolleyes: good theme. Although, ive taken my snakes outside. Probably won't this month either:p

[RedSidedSPR]

How do you DO THAT?!?! I can NEVER get a good picture with their tongues out!:eek:

[jepie]

ah why it is this theme.
the only thing i sy here is clouds and sometimes rain but sun not today.
maybe tomorrow yesterday it was only sun so i hope tomorrow will be the same.

[kibakiba]

Hey look! It's silvers brother or sister :D

[katach]

I love the markings on that one so she(I think) got a field trip outside. :)

[kibakiba]

Playin' favourites, eh? Haha. My well behaved snakes get to go outside a few times a week. Sometimes my baddies do too, especially Snappy.

[katach]

Yeah the adults get a trip outside about that often. They love the sunshine and fresh air!

[RedSidedSPR]

Awesome photos, both of ya!

[katach]

Thank you! It was kind of hard to do. I was holding the tail in one hand and had the camera in the other... :p

[RedSidedSPR]

Wouldn't have guessed, it's a sweet photo.

[katach]

Thanks!

[ConcinusMan]

How do you DO THAT?!?! I can NEVER get a good picture with their tongues out!:eek:

First off, bright sunlight allows for fast shutter speeds which is essential. Otherwise, all you get is a blurred tongue. Still blurred a little bit. Macro mode, snake sitting still, camera very close, and taking photos as fast as I can until one happens at the right time.

I try to let my snakes out at least once a week for a minute or two when temperatures allow it. Let them "sprint" around until they're breathing hard. It's good for their heart, lung, and muscles IMO. That's something they just can't do in any practically sized enclosure - get exercise. I think if you don't do this once in a while, they get out of shape, flabby, and their muscle tone goes to pot.

[RedSidedSPR]

Im always afraid to let mine out. The babies are small, my adult panics if I set him on the floor for measuring.... Bu I have noticed sunlight makes faster shutter speed..

[ConcinusMan]

Don't have to worry about your babies too much. It's when they get older and live a sedentary life with no vigorous exercise that they tend to get "mushy"

[RedSidedSPR]

Ok good.

Still, my adult would probably do something I'd regret:rolleyes:

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, you definitely have to be very comfortable with "snake wrangling" and know them well enough to predict what they're going to do. Also, I would never just let them take off if I didn't have a huge cut lawn to place them in the middle of.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yeah, and it's not that I'm worried about him escaping, even if he tried he couldnt get away from me, I just think he'd freak out like when he's on the floor. I do that for the measuring software, and he panics. He's pretty calm, I don't know why he does it but he does.

[ConcinusMan]

Well that's the idea. I put them down, and they do freak out. They take off like a bolt. I just keep re-adjusting their course so they don't escape. Eventually, they tire out and I put them back in their enclosures.

[RedSidedSPR]

Doesn't that just stress them out?

[kibakiba]

Well, no. Mine seem to enjoy sitting and slithering in the sun. Mama never moved very much, she fat and lazy, but she just zoomed around in the grass, like it was the time of her life.

[RedSidedSPR]

I meant when they freak out...

[kibakiba]

So do the others, but then after they're done, they're calm. Even Snap.

[RedSidedSPR]

OK.. May try that, may not.

[ConcinusMan]

Doesn't that just stress them out?

Perhaps, but that may be precisely what they're missing.

Yes, it does calm them down. Sometimes they get restless, can't relax, seem like they want out, etc. After the exercise, they're calmer and much more relaxed. Much more content to be in their enclosure.

[RedSidedSPR]

Huh.

[Odie]

The first 2, are just what I was thinking :cool:
Shelf or Window sill works to :rolleyes:

[RedSidedSPR]

Window!!??? Perfect!! Awesome! Great! Wonderful!

[ConcinusMan]

Did it occur to anyone else that the sample picture is not actually in sunlight? I mean, yeah, it's outside, but is it in the sun?

[RedSidedSPR]

ITs outside in the daytime so obviously it's in sun.:p

[ConcinusMan]

Not if it's a cloudy day or in the shade.:rolleyes:

That sure is a sharp looking ordinoides you have there, Kat.;)

[RedSidedSPR]

I know, he looks like he was born a month ago. Not size, just built very strong. Healthy looking babies.

[ConcinusMan]

You must be referring to their "baby face" looks. They stay that way until they are fairly big and years old.

[RedSidedSPR]

Im saying they don't look like a lot of babies skinny, big headed, bug-eyed, and neonate-looking. They look like a more matured snakes.

Nevermind.

[kibakiba]

I think we know what you mean ;) At least I did. Northwesterns keep a baby face, usually, until they're about 2. That's when they start looking very mature :D


... They grow up too quick... :(

[katach]

That sure is a sharp looking ordinoides you have there, Kat.;)

Thank you very much! There are 3 in the bunch that have those really dark and defined markings. The others are still very beautiful, but they are lighter in color.

[Venti]

I finally uploaded my photo of Theif, exactly a week ago I took her outside to climb trees while I took photos. She was slithering all over that tree, I finally had to say play time is over and take her down.

[RedSidedSPR]

I want to enter, I just don't feel comfortable letting my adult outside yet. Hes nice and calm, but not when you set him somewhere.

Guess I'll one on his favorite spot: the window sash.

[katach]

That works. I just hold on to their tail and I don't let them on really tall grass.

[RedSidedSPR]

Well, i already have some cool pictures of the window.

I may get all my babies curled up real tight on the window...

[RedSidedSPR]

Is is one of the harder ones for captions...

[Mrs N1ntndo]

First off, bright sunlight allows for fast shutter speeds which is essential. Otherwise, all you get is a blurred tongue. Still blurred a little bit. Macro mode, snake sitting still, camera very close, and taking photos as fast as I can until one happens at the right time.I try to let my snakes out at least once a week for a minute or two when temperatures allow it. Let them "sprint" around until they're breathing hard. It's good for their heart, lung, and muscles IMO. That's something they just can't do in any practically sized enclosure - get exercise. I think if you don't do this once in a while, they get out of shape, flabby, and their muscle tone goes to pot.

I take lots of photos till I get the right one but I never new about the bighter light for faster shutter speed .Thank you. Now Im gonna have a lil more fun taking pics. I love taking them anyway but maybe now I can take more that will look a lil better thank you again that is a great tip.

Now here is a question. I hear people taking about taking pics in the window. I can do that or take some inside but have the sun on them. That is still ok for the contest? I might try that or outside but itll be probably with Pozer cause hes so funny and he likes to pose for pics anyway so itll be easier. I might even try to take it outside to. Hopefully i can get it down right and in time onto the computer bt Im having trouble with putting the pics to my computer so hopefully it works good.
Thaks for the great tips. Im gonna go try sometime today cause its a beatiful day and I might et some awesome pics.

[RedSidedSPR]

I didn't feel comfortable takin mine outside, so I did the window. That's fine.

Look at mine, he's just sitting on the window. That works since there's sunlight.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

I dont want to let mine go either. I dont wanna lose them but I am going to try to use my calmest one . He (?) really likes me and I am going to try the holding tail thing that was mentioned. I am even going to take a tail pic and maybe u all can sex him for me. I am just learning on that part but those will be posted somewhere else. I am going to use my phone to take some pics and my camera. so that I can atleast post the ones that come from my phone. Its not as good quality and might now be able to get as close but I wanna try. Hey you never know , I might get some wonderful pics.

[RedSidedSPR]

I don't doubt now-a-day phones cameras anymore.:rolleyes
Post away.

[Kantar]

Is is one of the harder ones for captions...

but your picture is the easiest one to caption, your snake has that kind of look on its face :)

[RedSidedSPR]

True. Nothing is coming to mind though......

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Well I took some pics and just came in . So I will Be starting a Thread just on Pozer. So now I need to go upload the pics to my computer and then I will choose the best one for the contest. Now do I just go into the thread and post it and thats it? I love the pics I took from what I can see but I didnt get any toongue pics that Im aware... we will see....Fingers crossed.

[RedSidedSPR]

Yup. Just post the pic.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Well I have the pics on the computer now.I need to put in my album in profile and then I will post it. I have a hard discusion to make. I have 2 that I would like to put but I need to make a choice between 2 but there both sooo good.

[ConcinusMan]

I
Now here is a question. I hear people taking about taking pics in the window. I can do that or take some inside but have the sun on them.

Outside would be best. In bright sunlight. Just make sure the sun is behind the camera and the sun is lighting the subject.

Thing about a window is, it's best if the light is behind the camera. Try to take it with the window in front of the camera, and often your camera will compensate and cause the subject to come out too dark. You've all seen that. Try to take a picture of something in the room but there's a window in the picture frame, and all you see is the window. Everything else in the room comes out black.

[RedSidedSPR]

I use windows when i want the color to come out right, and when I wat close ups... So pretty much always.:p

It helps the shutter speed, which reduces the blur, and brings out the colors.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3003/ssnakess110.jpg

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Outside would be best. In bright sunlight. Just make sure the sun is behind the camera and the sun is lighting the subject.

Thing about a window is, it's best if the light is behind the camera. Try to take it with the window in front of the camera, and often your camera will compensate and cause the subject to come out too dark. You've all seen that. Try to take a picture of something in the room but there's a window in the picture frame, and all you see is the window. Everything else in the room comes out black.

I did go outside and take some pics. I held Pozers tail like what was suggested and i got a few good ones and I entered one into the contest. I didnt realize how much color Pozer had. I knew there was red but Wow , the sunlight sure does make the colors pop doesnt it. Thank you

[ConcinusMan]

Nothing beats natural light. Of course it makes the colors pop. Color is nothing more than light being reflected back to your eye. If the light isn't the full colors of the rainbow, you won't see true color. Just try taking a picture of green grass when it's lit up with nothing but red light. The grass won't be green because there is no green light bouncing off of it. Make sense?

That's why if you set your camera to natural daylight as the source, but take the picture using an incandescent bulb, everything looks too yellow and that's because that bulb isn't putting out white light. It's more shifted to the red end of the spectrum. Many florescent bulbs are shifted to the blue end.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Yes that makes total sense. Did you see my pic. I think that they turned out sool.

[ConcinusMan]

Yes I did. Actually, to be totally honest, it's my favorite one posted so far.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

Yes I did. Actually, to be totally honest, it's my favorite one posted so far.

Awwwww Thank you. Pozer does like to pose. lol. I have some other pics in Pozer's thread. I have a lot more but Ill put some more on tonight(early morning). If you could and if u are able to sex babies , I posted a tail pic in Pozers thread if you could look.

Thank you all for the help.

[ConcinusMan]

I need to see the entire tail. Don't cut it off the picture. A side profile of the lower 1/4 of the snake, including the entire tail, would also help. However, my first impression is female. A few more pics are needed if I'm going to put my 100% opinion on it.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

ok I will do that. I will take more pics and then post them in Pozers room soon.

[RedSidedSPR]

I like it best too. I think it fits the theme best

[Mrs N1ntndo]

If theres a tie what happens then? Just wondering.

[Stefan-A]

If theres a tie what happens then? Just wondering.
I cast the tie-breaking vote.

[guidofatherof5]

There you go.

[RedSidedSPR]

I hope you're on Stefans good side.:D

[ConcinusMan]

I would think that wouldn't matter to Stefan. I trust he would objectively choose his favorite of the two. But yes, I realize you're just kidding.

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm sure he would.

[ConcinusMan]

Wait, he has a good side? I thought it was only bad side, or don't really care one way or the other. :p

[Stefan-A]

I hope you're on Stefans good side.:D
I've flipped a coin in the past.


No, me. I flipped a coin one minute before the contest closed.

Had I voted for the one I actually liked the most, we would have ended up with a 3-way tie. :p

(http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/thamnophis-contests/8190-march-2011-photo-captions-comment-thread-2.html#post156068)

[Kantar]

I just thought of another caption I just had to share even though the enteries are closed, I couldn't pass up not sharing

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301107_10150358448269359_525334358_9838168_938308_ n.jpg

[Mrs N1ntndo]

That was awesome. Lmao

[Stefan-A]

Grats.

[Mrs N1ntndo]

When do the winners get posted?

[guidofatherof5]

Congrats to infernalis for winning the August photo contest
and Kantar for winning the August caption contest.
Nice work;)

[Mommy2many]

Aaawww.. it wasn't me?:)

[RedSidedSPR]

Congrats!

[katach]

Congrats winners! And :p winners! :D

[Mrs N1ntndo]

yay congrats to the both of you.

Whats the next way to take pics of .....huh huh huh.

This is soooo much fun. I love this idea of taking the pics and things. Who ever started it I would like to say thank you very much.