taking that perfect photo

[orrimaarrkko]

any tips on getting that perfect photo, how to keep them still etc

[955i]

Two choices really.

Get a decent camera and plenty of memory and join an evening class or read up to learn about shutter speeds/lighting etc. You can take as many shots as you like then until you get just what you are after and delete the rest (assuming you are new to cameras and don't know this already).

Alternatively you can learn to use Photoshop and just turn any old cakky picture into a good one LOL

Seriously, you could always try moving the animal into a very sparse glass viv reserved for photos so you can change the background/substrate/lighting etc easily. If the animal has no hides or food to distract it, it is much more likely to keep still for a shot.

Obviously this doesn't mean dragging the animal out 50 times a day whenever you feel like taking a photo and shouldn't be done with timid/easily stressed animals, only those used to handling and being moved around.

[aceboidz]

get a sony a200, one of the cheapest and best dslr cameras on the market i think

[rantasam]

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Bryan Peterson: Books

... taught me more than any other photography book I've ever read. It's legendary.

Other than that, take LOTS of photos and choose the ones you like the best.

[wayward_son]

Experiment with the shutter speed/depth of field ration to get pleasing effects.
I personally only use the camera with the flash on. This will help to draw out some of the animals natural colours. But also increase the shutter speed/reduce that chance of blur.
Something that my photography lecturer beat into me was always make sure the eyes are in focus.
TBH your best bet is to take loads of photos and see which you like and with the ones you don't try and work out why.
Best of luck to you mate just out of interest what sort of camera are you using?

[orrimaarrkko]

Originally Posted by wayward_son

Experiment with the shutter speed/depth of field ration to get pleasing effects.
I personally only use the camera with the flash on. This will help to draw out some of the animals natural colours. But also increase the shutter speed/reduce that chance of blur.
Something that my photography lecturer beat into me was always make sure the eyes are in focus.
TBH your best bet is to take loads of photos and see which you like and with the ones you don't try and work out why.
Best of luck to you mate just out of interest what sort of camera are you using?

i am using my day to day camera, its a kodak c913. my dad has a better camera and i am looking to use it. is it safe to use the flash with them, im not going to do any damage to them?

[aceboidz]

normally not

[swift_wraith]

Originally Posted by orrimaarrkko

any tips on getting that perfect photo, how to keep them still etc

patience and plenty of it. oh and a tripod.

[wayward_son]

Originally Posted by orrimaarrkko

i am using my day to day camera, its a kodak c913. my dad has a better camera and i am looking to use it. is it safe to use the flash with them, im not going to do any damage to them?

There is no reason why you can't capture good pics with that camera. Obviously your not gonna be producing professional quality but I'm guessing that not what your after?