Size Matters

[Willyd]

I was taking a sort hike with my photo gear in the Yellowsmoke state park in Iowa when I happened across this medium sized bull snake sunning himself on a log. I was shooting with the following gear

Nikon D50
Qunataray 55 - 200 mm lens f 4.0 / 5.6

I wanted to get in close to the snake and keep my depth of field short. the resulting effect is that the viewer tends to think the snake is bigger than he really was. Only the snakes head and a small cross section of his body are in focus the one coil of his body in front of the head is a bit fuzzy, along with the remaining graceful curves that go out of frame never getting to the tail. Thus he looks longer than he really was.

My camera setting were as follows:

f 5.6 @ 1/640th 200mm

The picture is not photoshoped.


I often think I cold have framed the shot differently. Critics are welcome

[Wolfsburg]

Did you catch him with his tongue sticking out? Cool, now the first thing I think when I see this photo is that I would have liked to see his entire head in focus. It might have done you well to use a slower shutter speed and up the f/stop just a bit for a slightly larger DOF. But then again maybe thats what you wanted. It definitely a cool shot though, much cooler than someone just taking a picture of their pet snake

[nikonNadia]

i love the angle of the photograph - adds a unique element to it

[Willyd]

Thanks to both of you for your opinions and kind words. If you enjoy wildlife photos please check out my Mexican Brown Pelican shot posted in the share your shots forum under the animals and wildlife -SYS section.

Thanks again

[casperd]

I enjoy watching wildlife photos,
I don't even know why but I'm getting inspired by it..

[kathywordolf]

wow~~~~it's cool