Chat Week on Kingsnake.com
Saturday, December 14, 2002
Bill Love
Herp Photography in the Field

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PHWyvern: Folks, I would like to welcome you to the last night's installment of Chat Week. Our Next Guest is Bill Love.

PHWyvern: Bill has always enjoyed seeking herps in nature, and recording them on film in their natural haunts is one of his true passions, whether he's in Madagascar, Baja, or just near home in Florida's Everglades.

PHWyvern: Welcome Bill.

BillLove: Sorry Jim, I jumped the gun earlier. Wasn't trying to steal your thunder; when I got here and saw the lens question, I thought ya'll wanted me to go. Anyway, GOOD EVENING, ALL! I hope there are some avid shutterbugs in the audience tonight. * PHWyvern is now known as AskBill

AskBill: Folks if you would like to Ask Bill a questions, please send them to me.

AskBill: Bill, when you have finished answering a question and are ready for the next you can type 'go' or 'next' :)

BillLove: O.K.

BillLove: Go

AskBill: SnakeMann87 what is your favorite snake

BillLove: I'd have to say corn snakes, or Kathy might get mad. Yes, corns are king around here!

BillLove: Yes, GO

AskBill: NWFLHerper Bill, how do you get them to stay still long enough to get a good pic? Or do you just go through a lot of film?

BillLove: Patience, patience, patience! I usually end up moving them back into the spot I've chosen to shoot them MANY times. I also have been experimenting using a big dog standing nearby to make them freeze. GOT

BillLove: Uh, make that GO.

AskBill: CEJ Bill, what are you thoughts on the locality debate involving BCC? Do you think there should be a different classification for BCC from different countries? Peru, surinam, etc..

BillLove: Using DNA for determining species seems to be changing all the old ways I'm used to thinking about splitting races. I think using any name to designate 'morphs' is kind of useless when the only thing that really counts for most folks is how the individual LOOKS.

BillLove: I've never been a boa collector, so I haven't devoted much brain power to the Bcc debates.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: EricC what are some of the least cooperative animals to photograph?

BillLove: Turtles, SHY turtles! They can be the most maddening herps when they won't come out of their carapaces to show themselves fully.

BillLove: Boingy frogs are a close 2nd. GO

AskBill: SnakeMann87 Do you own any corn snakes?

BillLove: Not a one. Kathy has about 250 breeders, though, plus 100s of young'uns. GO

AskBill: Swampwalker What precautions, techiques and lenses do you use when working with venomous?

BillLove: I use my 105mm macro on most venomous, plus always have a helper / 2nd photographer nearby helping. Other than that, not much is different for me.

BillLove: Naturally, you have to resist the temptation to grab a fleeing specimen. THAT's what's nearly gotten me tagged most often, 'cause I'm concentrating so hard on taking the shot that I forget what species I'm working with.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Guest99614 What kind of camera do you prefer?

BillLove: Nikons, due to their great selection of macro gear.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: PHFaust What is the best way to photograph a het albino leo and get the nice coloration that the guy has... I cant seem to get a good pic of mine to save my behind...

BillLove: With a small, pale animal like that, your light meter tends to see the whole scene, which is usually darker, and tries to light up the whole scene, washing out your subject. You need a camera that spot meters - that's one solution.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: ScubaTim Thank you for joining us Bill. What would you say is the most exciting project you are working on at the moment?

BillLove: I'm taking some last-minute pics for the revised CORN SNAKE MANUAL, so that's my top priority right now photographically.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: JimPether Bill, do you use manual settings on your cameras or program.

BillLove: I'm getting pretty used to shooting TTL and trusting the light meter on aperature priority. I'm also finding auto focus handier every year when shooting one-handed while holding a flash with my other hand.

BillLove: I can shoot manually, but rarely do anymore. GO

AskBill: TammyP What tips do you have on photographing albino reptiles to keep from getting those glowing red eyes.

BillLove: That's been a problem for me too. It seems that shooting indoors with a single flash that's not too close to the lens works reasonably well. The biggest problem occurs when shooting outside in bright light and also using a fill flash. the overall bright situation causes the snake's eyes to dilate, apparently causing a refraction off the iris or some other membrane. I still have NOT figured it

BillLove: GO

AskBill: SnakeMann87 how can i get ahold of kathy to ask her some Corn Snake ?'s?

BillLove: Call her or email her. Email is best - - - > kathy@cornutopia.com. GO

AskBill: Swampwalker Have you made the jump to digital or are you still using film? (if film, whats your prefered film?)

BillLove: Still on slide film. I have a slide scanner - a Nikon LS-30 ("Coolscan III") to digitize my slides at home. GO

AskBill: JimPether Are you thinking of going over to Digital at any time in the near future

BillLove: Fujichrome Velvia (ISO 50) is my preffered film.

BillLove: I'll probably move to digital eventually - it's so much faster to have the images in digital form to sort.

BillLove: I can't afford the new GOOD digital cameras yet.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Reptiluvr Bill, have you ever found Ebenavia inunguis in the wild? If so, what part of Madagascar did they come from and were they common?

BillLove: Yes. They're in the eastern rain forests on big trees with lots of crevices under the bark. GO

AskBill: PHFaust What do you suggest in the way of digital cameras? I am looking at purchasing a good one and was wondering if you have any suggestions as to ones that will say pic up that iridescent glow of a retic and provide good true colors...

BillLove: I haven't researched digital cameras yet. When I do, I'll try to stick with Nikon so all my macro lenses will work.

BillLove: Try the Herp Photography Forum - your question is a common one on there. GO

AskBill: NWFLHerper Bill, what is your opinion on the validity of E. e. meahllmorum?

BillLove: Not being a taxonomist, my opinion shouldn't carry much weight, but it seems like splitting hairs to me. I doubt the pet trade will care much either, as it's still an emoryi to them. GO

AskBill: PHFaust Comment... There is a filter that many photographers use that is commonly referred to as the "Albino" filter that I do know has been used with people. Have you ever heard of this?

BillLove: Sorry, I'm not familiar with that filter. GO

AskBill: Reptiluvr Bill, would you happen to know offhand the northernmost and/or southernmost points of the range of U. phantasticus. Have you ever found them in the wild during the day?

BillLove: Not by day. I've only found them once at night, about 25 miles north of the town of Perinet (Andasibe, in Malagasy).

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Swampwalker what has been your most exciting moment photographing herps, is there a specific photo or species that will always stand out for you?

BillLove: I've had many favorites, and they're virtually always in the field when the animal pauses in that ultra typical position, alert, the light hitting it just right. My eastern coachwhip shot (on my website) is an early favorite, as my father was along when I found it, and watched me work to get that shot and see that I was serious about my shooting, like he was with trains.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: NWFLHerper Do you have an ETA on the completion of the new corn snake manual?

BillLove: We're supposed to have the manuscript and new pics done by early Feb. 2003, which is already pushed back by several months from originally planned. GO

AskBill: TammyP Bill, my favorite photograph you have taken is the corn snakes covering Kathy's face. Which one of you came up with that idea?

BillLove: When it actually gets printed is anyone's guess.

BillLove: That was my idea - - - something wacky and different, and a challenge to shoot.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Guest99614 What is your web address, please?

BillLove: www.bluechameleon.org

BillLove: GO

AskBill: GenericErik_w what do you bring in the field to act as a baffle, to stop flash glare?

BillLove: I don't try to stop glare. Shiny herps should shine a bit - it's normal.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Reptiluvr Bill, I'm interested in beginning herp photography, what camera would you recommend and price range and what lenses are good for good close ups on small geckos?

BillLove: I'd start with a basic Nikon, Canon, Olympus, or one like that which offers a wide choice of lenses and gadgets that jive with it well. Get a macro lens with it, like a 50 or 55mm, NOT a normal 50mm lens that they usually come with. Price range - I haven't shopped for a new camera in ages. I'm lost to answer that one.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Swampwalker Is all your photography close up work or do you do any big lens work (500, 600mm etc)?

BillLove: My longest lens is a 200mm macro. My 55mm and 105mm round out my close-up gear.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: P>PHWyvern: Outside of Madagascar what is your favorite place to travel to photograph herps?

BillLove: Australia is Madagascar's only real competitor in my mind, but Baja (Mexico) has been luring me lately. Geez, there are TONS of great places to go yet. Sri Lanka, New Guinea, Yemem are among the ones I'd love to visit to see herps, barring other considerations like wars, etc.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Do you do your own film developing?

BillLove: That's YemeN.

BillLove: I have all my slide film developed locally at a shop in Ft. Myers - Gecko Photo Lab - cool name, huh? GO

AskBill: cbg have you had any of your work featured on animal planet?

BillLove: No, I haven't been on Animal Planet. I'm not as svelt as Steve, and I don't have a cool accent either. My pics have never been on it yet either; maybe some day....

BillLove: GO

AskBill: PHFaust Do you prefer field shots or shots in a home environment?

BillLove: I LOVE shooting in the field, and in natural light IF possible. That can be tough, but it often makes for the best coloring in the images, plus the most authentic backgrounds.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Guest99614 What color background should I use to photograph leos with a point and shoot digital? Using flash.

BillLove: If just trying to show off the critters, a medium gray is best.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: what is your biggest goal photo of a herp that you have not yet attained?

BillLove: I'd like to shoot wild rattlesnakes in a combat dance, preferably eastern diamondbacks.

BillLove: Or crocs helping babies hatch and taking them to the water.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Reptiluvr what are your favorite animals to encounter in the wild (ie: snakes, geckos, chameleons, frogs, etc)

BillLove: I'm not too fussy, as long as they're doing their thing in nature. i suppose if they happen to be doing something new, that's never been recorded before, would REALLY turn me on to see and photograph it.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: PHWyvern Do you have any plans on writing more books (not counting the new corn snake manual)?

BillLove: I'm working on my first fictional novel --- The Gecko's Smile --- an action / adventure / mystery that'll, of course, have some herps in it. I may also start some small projects about Malagasy herps - brief field guides - too. GO

AskBill: Swampwalker how do you store and library all of your slides?

BillLove: They're in 20-slides clear pages, in ring binder notrebooks for groups like 'geckos', 'venomous snakes', etc. All Madagascar herps are in another huge stack, mostly mixed to where I need to view 100s of pages on a light table to find the one(s) I need. Very time-consuming! GO

AskBill: boalover You are credited w/ photos in " The Boa Constrictor Manual " & " boas " . On pg 43 of the former , & 8 of the latter , there is a picture of a snake listed as a Suriname in 1 & a Guyanan in the other . Which do you believe it actually is ? THANKS

BillLove: Can't recall the particular images. I'm sure I took the owner's word on origins, rather than judge for myself what I thought they looked like. GO

AskBill: Guest99614 What is your favorite pit viper to photograph? My best pic is of a Yellow Eyelash Viper.

BillLove: Schlegelii are among my absolute favorites too. All tree vipers are SO EASY to shoot, and lalways assume such dramatic poses. Terrestrial vipers are also great too. GO

AskBill: PHFaust Do you sell print of your work? If so can they be ordered from your bluecham website?

BillLove: I'd be happy to make prints of any size of any of my images. The rates are on the Herp Imagery subsite of my website. GO

AskBill: Reptiluvr when and where did you encounter Uroplatus malahelo and U. malama?

BillLove: Only at Olaf Pronk's home in Antananarivo, never yet in the wild. I did just see + photo U. alluaudi NEAR the field, at a Malagasy collector's home.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: boalover what's the best way to capture pink on film ? Is natural light better than a flash ?

BillLove: Pink. as in snow corn snakes, is indeed tough to show in its full glory. An overcast day outside is best in my experience.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: joeM when do you think the next cornsnake manual will be coming out

BillLove: After Feb. 2003 - - - it could be months, or years 'til they get around to printing it after I turn in the manuscript and pics

BillLove: GO

AskBill: PHFaust What are the chances that Gecko Smile is a childrens story?

BillLove: Zero!

BillLove: GO

AskBill: TammyP When moving our snakes from their cages to a location to photograph them they seems to think it's time to escape. Any tips on how to get them to stop moving from one spot long enough to take pics of them...without ticking them off?

BillLove: Cooling in the fridge helps slow them down - just don't forget they're in there. A big dog nearby seems to spook them into freezing , sometimes. And let's never forget P A T I E N C E !

BillLove: GO

AskBill: boalover Do you get the best quality photograph's inside , or in the field ?

BillLove: Quality can be just as good in either place, but true color is best captured outside, on a bright but not too sunny day.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: Swampwalker Have you ever had any problems with law enforcemnet, fish & Game or Park wardens while photographing herps?

BillLove: No, but I've heard stories about places like western Australia heavy-handed wildlife officers. I kinda doubt some of them, or think the officers must've been reacting to someone giving them reason to hassle them. It doesn't seem like anyone would enforce laws about photographing a crawling herp on the road on a lonely country road.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: cbg what is your website? some of us joined the chat later...thanks!

BillLove: www.bluechameleon.org

BillLove: GO

AskBill: amazoa What kind of digital camera do you use? Does it have the macro feature and how close will it focus?

BillLove: Kathy has a digicam, but I swear I don't even know what brand. It focuses to within about 16 inches or so --- good enough for most corns for her website.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: PHFaust Have you ever had or do you have plans to have a public showing of your photos?

BillLove: I show them often enough at lectures, so I haven't thought much about an exhibit. I haven't really had time to take the true 'art' kinds of shots I'd like to take and show, so my oodles of basic I.D. type shots aren't good enough generally to show off like the artists at the big expos. GO

AskBill: NickAsher Bill you y consider putting snakes and such in the fridge. A good practice???

BillLove: For short periods - 10 minutes, for instance, it's harmless to species like corn snakes.

BillLove: GO

AskBill: PHWyvern How did you get into photography? Did you learn it on your own through trial and error or did you take formal classes?

BillLove: Trial and error since about 1975-76. I had many mentors, though. Sheffield Edwards was an early critic who set me straight about why my early shots were not as good as I thought they were then.

BillLove: Fred Grunwald of the Palm Beach, Florida area was also a major help back then.

BillLove: Saul Freiss impressed me with his photography early on too. GO

AskBill: amazoa I run a reptile club at my highschool in Jacksonville, Fl. Do you ever help teachers turn kids on to reptiles by making them available cheap for public school or private school educators?

BillLove: Kathy often makes deals of babies to teachers to teach genetics; you'd have to discuss specific deals with her, though. GO

AskBill: Bill, we have come up on our time. On behalf of JeffB, kingsnake.com, and the pet hobbyist staff I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be with us this evening. Judging by the questions asked, it's been a very informative chat session.

BillLove: It's been great fun! This was the fastest paced bunch of super questions ever. THANX all!

NOTE: Bill remained to chat afterward and we are including this as an addition to the official chat transcript. Some extraneous chat has been edited out.

AskBill: Moderation has been removed. You may freely chat in the room.

AskBill: Next chat will be at 11pm ET with Tracy Barker.

NWFLHerper: thanks for your time Bill

Reptiluvr: Bill, do you plan to stay any longer for chatting?

PHFaust: Thanks Bill...

NickAsher: hey

Reptiluvr: oh and as always, thanks for your time....

BillLove: Sure! It's only getting warmed up. No holds barred now?

NWFLHerper: lol

Reptiluvr: lol

PHFaust: No holds barred... With in reason of course!

AskBill: keep the language somewhat decent guys ROFL

BillLove: Big brother is still watching ;)

* AskBill is now known as PHWyvern

NickAsher: Bill, what kind of camera do you use?

Reptiluvr: Bill, do your tours ever go to southern Madagascar where some of the rarer species of geckos are endemic?

NickAsher: and scanner?

Guest99614: Thanksfor the good advice.

Ophidian: Hey Bill, I just got here - have you seen a lot of Sanzinia in Mad? Any observations on the diffs between the insular (Mandarins) and mainland ones?

PHFaust: Nahh Bill Big sisters!

amazoa: Bill I produce alot of baby snakes need discounts on slide presentaions to initiate interest in herpetology? any help here?

Reptiluvr: hahaha, he's bombarded

PHWyvern: room moderation has it's sweet spots :)

PHWyvern: lol

BillLove: I use two Nikon F90Xs. They're the equivalents of N90s, but sold in Europe under that different series number.

Reptiluvr: Jeff, if Bill would like to stay, what do you say we temporarily go with the old alphabetical order?

Reptiluvr: that way he doesn't get 10 q's at onec like he just did

Swampwalker: Bill, thanks for your time and answers. Goodnight

BillLove: To Reptiluvr: Yes, I go to the south, but less often. I was there for a whole week last January, and had my best ever herping there then. I did NOT see many rare geckos, though.

BillLove: Yes, I'm lost trying to go back reading.

NickAsher: Uroplauts RULE

NickAsher: Uroplatus**

NWFLHerper: Bill, do you get a lot of time to get out in the wild in your area to herp?

BillLove: TO: Ophidian: Yes, I've seen gobs of Sanzinia. There'll be an article co-authroed by Steve Hammock and I about them in REPTILES soon. Okay, I'm afraid I've got to skip ahead to the recent Qs to catch up.

BillLove: Only when someone visits and wants to go out shooting. Often when a foreugn visitor shows up, that's when it's usually the most fun.

Guest99614: Bill, do you know any good websites to get a descently priced camera?

BillLove: I buy through Adorama.com . I've also bought from B&H lately.

BillLove: GO

Ophidian: Thanks for the answer about Sanzinia Bill. I'll look for the article. I'm VERY partial to the Greens but everyone is gaga over the mandarins - I'm not sure why.

NWFLHerper: do you photograph much wildlife other than herps?

BillLove: I see more 'mandarins' because I like the dryer west side of Mad. best and herp there more often.

Guest99614: My fiancee gets mad cause I never takes pics of her. On vacation I was busy with herps!

BillLove: I'm pretty tunnel-visioned on herps. Bugs & spiders are my next favorites.

BillLove: Also, herp PEOPLE. I've always taken shots of the shakers and movers of the industry for the past 25+/- years.

NickAsher: Bill, whats the best time of the day to take photos out int he feild

NWFLHerper: when you see the herp lol

BillLove: Bright, but not sunny days, anytime, is best. You want ample light, but not harsh shadows.

BillLove: And, yes, there should be a herp around.

BillLove: GO

BillLove: I shoot at night with flash a lot too.

BillLove: GO

Guest99614: Have you gotten to photo Aruba Island Rattlers? I had trouble with the sand blending the herps a little.

Guest94635: i love reptiles do you

TammyP: Bill, I've seen this question before in the forums but I want to see what your thoughts are. Do you think the camera flash could be harmful to reptile eyes?

BillLove: I shot some Aruba Island rattlers 20+ years ago at Cincy Zoo (I think), but have not taken any fresh shots lately.

Viperbyt: Jeff: How have you been lately?

Guest94635: to the guy hou wants the picture of the rattlesnakes your need to try the international rattlesnake muesem

BillLove: I think flash is only a temporary annoyance to them, like when geckos eye-lick after a flash shot.

Guest99614: I had to take mine through glass (S.C.) Reptile Park, but they turned out o.k.

Guest94635: somebody talk to me

PHMowgli: hi fuest

PHMowgli: guest

Guest94635: are you a reptile breeder

BillLove: The best Aruba shots would probably be the ones I'd be happy to take in Aruba someday. If there any left there.

PHMowgli: no acutally I am a dog breeder

Guest94635: im looking for a blood pythons

PHKiwi: My sister just returned from Aruba and they took some nice pics of iguanas

BillLove: I also think some pit vipers jerk to flash is because they sense the slight heat emission.

Guest99614: True, my budget, narrows my shots tremendously.

Guest99614: Bill, do you have a large selection of dendrobate pics? I figure your experience would make for some really vibrant pics.

PHWyvern: nothing like trying to cram 3 day old stiff as carboard pizza down the gullet LOL

PHWyvern: course the rats love the crust left overs

BillLove: I have a moderate number of poison frog images. Having seen an old poster of Dave Barker's, I'd bet he's got more. Ask Tracy next chat.

Guest99614: Thanks for all the good answers tonight. I'm young at this (4 months of pics) and hope to get a lot better

PHWyvern: G99614...practice a lot. the more you practice the better your eye gets

Viperbyt: Hey kiwi

PHWyvern: I am soo much more picky about my photos now than before...throw more out than keep lol

NickAsher: i cant wait to get my own camera

NickAsher: and start taking pics of not just herps but all forms of life

BillLove: Patience & practice will do it for you. There are no real shortcuts that I'm aware of.

NickAsher: down to the little bug that looks like moss that lives on trees

Guest99614: One thing Ilike about my digital. You know on the trip and can try again.

BillLove: Digicams are certainly economical; they're a great, cheap way to hone your skills. But, unlike some people seem to think, a digital camera in hand doesn't make you an instant herp photographer, or at least not necessarily a good one.

Guest99614: Unfortunately, I don't think I can enter the photo contests with the digital either.

TammyP: Bill, I can back you and say that practice is the biggest thing about getting a photo you are happy with. I've got a degree in photography but still have days I want to throw my camera against the wall. They didn't teach me anything about mixing camera with herps. LOL

PHWyvern: I took a basic black and white photography class just to learn how to use my camera lol

PHWyvern: it wasfun. taught us how to delveop our own film too

PHMowgli: I want to learn to do that myself

TammyP: mine was commercial and industial....nothing about scales and forked tongues in those classes. :o)

PHMowgli: although I do have a slide show of a snake eating a frog i took yrs ago

TammyP: we only have one furry critter in the house and he isn't allowed in the snake room.

BillLove: Folks, it's been fun, and I thank you for all the questions & comments. I've got to go. Kathy and I are hosting the big Calusa Herp Society Herp Fest / Christmas party tomorrow, plus an auction & raffle too. 100+ people expected, and lots to do prepping yet. Good luck with the next chat, Tracy. I've got company, and have to hang out with them a bit. Goodnight! - Bill

PHWyvern: goodnight bill

docric: Thanks Bill

Guest99614: Thanks a lot!!

PHMowgli: nite Bill

TammyP: Night Bill....Thanks for taking time out for us!

hornytoad: take it easy

amazoa: Thanks Bill

BillLove: Adios, all!

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