Friday, April 23, 2010

f-stop Friday - Snake in the Grass




I hope Robelyn enjoyed her snake-free time! It's over!

What I like most about this photo is the narrow depth of field (DOF). The snake is in sharp focus, but the grass in front of and behind the snake is a soft blur, putting all the more emphasis on the snake, especially its face. There's a nice buttery bokeh above and behind the snake's head and I really like the green and tan colors for a backdrop. If there is such a thing as a portrait shot of a snake, I think this is it!

For the photographers among you who may be interested in the particulars, I shot this at 100 ISO, 70mm focal length, 1/1000 shutter speed and f/2.8 aperture.

Hope you have a super weekend!


12 comments:

red.neck chic said...

Dang... I think I have shoe imprints in my chair now - and I'm certain that my shriek just broke the front windows of my shop - it could very well be the "shriek heard 'round the world".

Again I will say...
it IS a nice photo!! Gosh you're good!

Thanks for the break - will you let me know when it's break time again? Please?

I'm going back to my "AUGH - it's a snake on my desk!!!" moment as well as resuming my snake induced heart attack status. At least until the mouse eats the snake. Again.

I'm toooooo young for this...

;-) robelyn

Mindy said...

Poor Robelyn. We need to find something else for you to photograph...maybe something that won't have her screeching at the top of her lungs. Dogs everywhere are howling! Great shot, ya know? uh huh. ~Mindy

Alices Wonderland said...

aaah, just like butter....lovely.

Margo said...

Glad I'm not squeamish. It is a beautiful pic, and the snake looks so smooth and silky. My questions, tell us about the snake, what kind, dangerous, or beneficial all of that.

Great pic and lovely composition.
Margo

David said...

Margo, this is a Red-striped Ribbon Snake. It's a harmless, non-venomous, common species. It's sort of an opportunistic snake that will eat just about anything it can catch of appropriate size for a meal. They are semi-aquatic and equally at home in or around a river, lake or pond as on dry land. There is a pond near my house that is loaded with Northern Cricket Frogs and Upland Chorus Frogs. Those just happen to be among the Red-Striped Ribbon Snake's favorite meals! But they will also eat fish, lizards, insects, small mice, earthworms... just about anything you can think of that's small enough for them to swallow. They are not at all dangerous, but can be a bit aggressive and will bite when handled. They're not big enough to make a serious bite, though.

Anne Lorys said...

Beautiful shot, even if it does give me the willies! ;-)

Anne

Sónia da Veiga said...

You take great pictures!!!
Congratulations!!!

What camera do you use and how do you get to focus so well?!?

And the colors are really vivid! Do you treat the images?

Sorry for all the questions...
Sónia

KCSherri said...

Just found your blog - love the photos of the snake!

I have a Nikon D50...I'm curious as to what your camera is, and what lens you are using...

Also, do you use Photoshop? I haven't been brave enough to try it - it seems complicated - and I'm just learning all the nuances of my camera and setting up shots.

Thanks!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

You are such a great photographer, you can even make a snake look good:)Well that is as long as it stays in your neck of the woods:)How about photos of some pretty birds. LOL
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Unknown said...

My yard snakes just won't hold still for me. Anyway, my toads are in Florida. Thanks for the info.
Enjoy yours!

Unknown said...

No David, my toads are just friends helping friends. I don't need anymore as you can see. But thanks again for the toad info. I love learning about everyday things in my yard.

Sheri said...

this is fabulous and you're right, it seems as if he's actually posing for you! guess God meant what He said when He said man would have dominion over the beasts, eh?