Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.

Grass snake + repost

Discussion

15 replies
Posted by David Sewell on May 20, 2010 at 4:03 PM
Grass snake + repost
When I come across grass snakes while doing reptile surveys they are normally off like a shot. One effect of a cold spring (up until the last day or two) has been that they are far more inclined to sit still, and this individual was a case in point.

It ended up as an exercise to see how close I could get. This shot is full frame, and I left her as I found her. A remarkably cooperative snake.

D200, 150mm Sigma, 1/180th @ f7.1, 200 iso. Slight tweaks to levels and contrast.
Posted by Phil Mclean on May 20, 2010 at 4:09 PM
Really like it David.Superb detail and very attractive colours,particularly in the background..

Phil. :toast: :toast:
Posted by Tim Munsey on May 20, 2010 at 4:12 PM
There you go, worrying about how to get close to a snake - must be a snake charmer by the looks.
Fine shot, next one with forked tongue please.

Tim
Posted by David Taylor on May 20, 2010 at 4:18 PM
Excellent detail and a great reflection in the eye.

:toast: :toast: :jump:
Posted by Paul King on May 20, 2010 at 4:22 PM
Cracking shot David, like the detail and colours spot on everywhere. :toast:
Posted by Karen Summers on May 20, 2010 at 5:10 PM
:eek: thats close rather you than me,some great detail in this one very nice indeed(am I allowed to say very nice :biggrin: )
Posted by Shaun Boycott-Tayl on May 20, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Cracking shot with bags of detail. :toast: :toast:
Posted by Mark Davies on May 21, 2010 at 4:28 AM
A fine study . If it were mine I'd be tempted to add a touch of burn to the area just under the jaw.
Posted by Barry Southon on May 21, 2010 at 4:42 AM
David

An excellent shot as is.
:wink:
Posted by Austin Thomas on May 21, 2010 at 5:39 AM
A fine image David. Good eye contact and the overall tones in the image complement.
I agree with Mark about toning down below the jaw. I would also do the same on the RHS edge, middle, where a similar brighter area can be seen.

Cheers

Austin
Posted by Ian Macdermott on May 21, 2010 at 5:51 AM
Coo

I thought I was close with my Adder David :biggrin:

Wonderful portrait :toast:
Posted by David Sewell on May 21, 2010 at 7:57 AM
Thanks for the comments, folks. You are right, Mark and Austin. I was pleased to have got so much detail on the collar and jaw that I missed those small areas. The 'yellow' (actually cream on this individual) is notoriously difficult to get right. Back to the drawing board, or at least to Photoshop...

David
Posted by Mark Green on May 21, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Cracking shot.. never been close to one to get any photos.. :biggrin:

no nits from me.

:toast:
Mark.G
Posted by David Sewell on May 21, 2010 at 3:10 PM
I have had a go at following suggestions and burned in a bit more detail in the pale areas. Does this work better?

David
Posted by Maggie Campbell on May 21, 2010 at 5:24 PM
Both look stunning to me David. Amazing close-up. :jump: :wavey:
Posted by David Kjaer on May 21, 2010 at 6:31 PM
Cracking close-up David.

David :toast: :toast: