Snake Eyes II.
Peeking out of the alga cloud, the curious snake wants to know more about underwater camera. Or maybe just checking his hairdo in the mirror of the lens port? O...
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Peeking out of the alga cloud, the curious snake wants to know more about underwater camera. Or maybe just checking his hairdo in the mirror of the lens port? One thing is certain; he's not afraid of me! Nice snake! :)
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Dec, 2015Views
1932
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in L'oeil Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Eye close-up Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Inquisitive Animals Photo Challenge
Winner in Snake Macros Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Love it
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1Categories
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Premium
tracyburroughsbrown
March 06, 2016
I don't like snakes but this is an awesome shot, so you did something good to get me to give you a peer award for this.
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LookSee
May 16, 2019
Thanks y'all for your comments. The snakes are just like any other animals: so if you avoid threatening gestures and anything that might suggest agression, they'll be as inquisitive and friendly as can be. So forget all the hype and hype-based fear and simply regard them as souls in a tad different bodies. And then shots like ths one will become as easy as photographing pets. :)
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LookSee
March 25, 2020
Thanks, folks, for another win (Inquisitive Animals Challenge)! Much obliged! :)
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LookSee
May 08, 2020
Thanks, yes, it was shot in the lake shallows, about one meter deep. Please see BTL for details!
Beautifully_Soft
June 02, 2020
Doc I grew up in the south Arkansas and water snakes especially water moccasins you find in and around ponds and lakes and those sucker are both agressive and deadly ... a 5th grade classmate of mind was attached,bitten, and killed by one while swimming. They will also attack you boat while fishing if you cast into the domain. So back then you know the deal, the only good snake was a dead snake, but now being more enlighted I don't bother them, and try to stay out of their environment if possible.
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LookSee
June 03, 2020
Thanks, we are lucky here that in water there are only non-venomous (Natrix tesselata), and the vipers are only on dry land (such as a horned viper, etc.) So it looks more dangerus than it really is, and the worst that can happen from the watersnaki bite would be an infection. But I can understand what you feel about moccassins, rattlers, etc. We have'nt those around, and I'm not complaining! Stay Safe (in every sense)! :)
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MaryAnne306
November 01, 2020
Great capture. First time I've ever seen such an expressive face on a snake!
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LookSee
February 04, 2023
Thanks for the Eye Closeup Challenge award, folks! Always makes me glad you liked the photo. :)
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LookSee
September 21, 2023
Thanks for the People Choice Award! And (not less important) for all the other awards. I hope this photo will help reduce that widely spread fear of snakes. True, the venomous sorts are to be respected and avoided, but all life serves some purpose and thus should not be destroyed just because of our lack of understanding!
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I got this pretty portrait in Lake Ohrid, maybe 50 meters from the house during my regular snorkeling swim.Time
Date/Time of the original shot was June 22nd, 2013 @ 13:54:19 - "quoth the Exif..."Lighting
Shutter Speed: 1/500 s ; F-Number f/2.8 ; ISO 100 ; Exposure Bias Value: 0.00 eV ; Metering Mode: Pattern ; Flash: Auto, Did not fire ; Focal Length: 6.2 mm ; WB Details: Auto ... plus beautiful mid-day's Daylight just half a meter under the surface.Equipment
My underwater camera model on that day was a small and very versatile Canon PowerShot D10. And I am still clearly recommending it despite many other good p&s cameras. Simple and solidly sealed, it is very easy to use and carry in swimming and otherwise. This photo was shot out of hand, and with no add-on accessories.Inspiration
I have very good models in "my" Lake's watersnakes. They are incredibly inquisitive and scenes like this one are no rarity at all. In Summertime there is a period of blooming algae, when great big yellow globules hover in the warm waters, or are anchored in between the reedstalks. The snakes would hide in these, and wait for the unsuspecting fish to swim close enough to catch. If the snake sees anything interesting (like a camera), he'll come closer to inspect it...and that's when he gets photographed and made famous on Viewbug! :)Editing
Although the shot was successful with the camera's excellent auto-macro feature (one of the best I know), the image was slightly cropped for better layout and resized for upload. That was all the editing I thought it required.In my camera bag
A standard question here gets a standard answer! So I have this answer ready, and just cleverly copy / paste! I tend to adhere to all principles of simplicity-first when I go to swim / snorkel / dive, so there is just one camera along, unless I'm testing something when I might carry some more things, depending on what I'll need. And the small Canon, and later the Olympus TG-2 is very simple to have with me at all times, underwater or on dry land. Similarly, I find it easier to carry a photo vest than any photo bag. So I load my photo vest with whatever I might need for my photo session, walk or trip, while my photo bags usually keep the equipment I'm not using at the moment. The vest's many pockets usually contain two cameras, spare batteries, ND and CPL filters, and one photo clamp standing in for a tripod. Recently I include a small action camera, mainly for its wide field of view and resistance to water and weather. The vest also has large-lens pockets that contain a small water bottle, sandwich, or a bar of chocolate if I plan on being out for the whole day. There is about three meters length of paracord or similar strong, thin rope, one hefty pocket knife, and a lighter. My smartphone comes along too. It has yet another spare camera, but more importantly the Spirit Level App to make the phone a perfectly horizontal surface under the camera. This is essential for panoramic sweeps. The app is free, and requires no extra permissions whatsoever. The large back pocket of the vest is reserved for a lightweight rain poncho. If the weather suddenly plays up, the poncho neatly covers all. Using the tools mentioned above, much can be improvised along the way, so that's all I need to make photos.Feedback
When underwater, move slowly and control your ambient in all directions. You never know where your "model" will come from. In approaching your photo object, think nice thoughts, keep calm, and never think of a living being as a "target". Although the underwater photo hunt is very similar to spearfishing, rest assured that all animals can in fact read your intentions just as easily as you read this. So they'll know if you mean them harm and consequently disappear with uncanny speed. Thus you need to show to the waterworld that you are not repeat not any danger. And then your percentage of photos worth keeping will raise. Enjoy, and have a Good Light!
