The Green, Green Snake of Home

[Hans Breuer]

Happy New Year!

Among herpetologists, this beautiful East Asian serpent is known as Cyclophiops major. The Chinese in their eternal pragmatism, of course, prefer to simply call it qingshe - "Green Snake"

This two-and-a half-footer tried to hide from me in a roadside ditch - unfortunately, I climbed in right after him, so he had no choice but to pose for me. I probably should have tamed the flash a little...any other pointers? Thanks!

Specs: Pentax K10D, SIGMA 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 DG APO at 210 mm, 1/180, f/4.5, ISO 200, on-board flash, freehand

[Darren5907]

hi Hans,
congrats for nailing the snake with its forked tongue sticking out and placed very nicely at centre. The composition works well for me.
Hope it was not venomous!

[ladybug]

Hi Hans,

Great Green snake portrait! It's a very beautiful subject. I find that you have made a great job with this shot! I find simply perfect the details on the head and on the tongue of the snake, agree with Darren regard the works well of the centered composition. Good!

[William]

Excellent pose an very nice composition!

[ATJ]

Hans, you have certainly nailed both the focus and the timing of this. I agree the lighting is a tad harsh. You may be able to decrease the contrast a bit on post processing.

[ChrisRoss]

Nice job Hand good sharp portrait and timing was perfect, light was a little harsh and the bright backdrop doesn't help. Pulling down the highlights may help.

[Tom Whelan]

A beautiful snake and fine composition - the light does look harsh. If you used flash as main light, a fill flash setting (such as flash compensation of -1 to -1 1/3 EV) might have cut down the shadows and specular highlights.

[Hans Breuer]

Thanks very much, everyone, for the kudos and the very helpful tips! I'll try playing with the highlights and will add the bit about the fill flash/flash compensation to my ever-growing database of photography knowledge (which is admittedly still a tad on the weak side, even a solid eight months after buying my first "real" camera

Darren, this species is completely harmless. I haven't worked my way up to the deadly ones yet, but hopefully that day will come

[crazymac]

That's a real beauty! Nice job, Hans.

Paul