About a Photo Session with Snakes !
Photo: Dr Rajbir Kaur Sharma
CAUTION: This photograph is not to impress anyone, as mostly people think its a daring act. I have posted this photograph, which has been clicked specially for the purpose, to emphasis on learning things properly about the natural history of snakes, technique, safety drills, etc. Please do NOT handle snakes when you are a novice and without adequate purpose i.e. snake rescue, research, photography, etc. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO EMULATE THIS PHOTO. I have tried this session after 15 years of self-grooming about safety and snake handling discipline. You may try this, once you have learnt about the subject well, with an expert.
Here, in this photograph, its me Capt Suresh, photographing an adult Russell’s Viper. My wife, Dr Rajbir, helped me for the safety, as she was the snake handler for the photo session. Our children were watching us from the window of the vehicle. They were not allowed to come out at all, doors were locked and one assistant kept them busy and explaining what was going on.
If you notice, I am viewing through `angle finder’ and this can lead me to a mistaken judgment for the distance between me and the snake, in case it starts moving towards me. That’s why its very important to have good snake handler for snake photography. But to get the ground level view of the snake through the lens, one needs to place the camera on ground and you all know that its almost impossible to shoot ground level shots with a DSLR, as it has fixed LCD. One needs this angle finder (see the equipment below), to get good ground level view. And this can be dangerous in this scenario, where one is shooting an aggressive venomous snake ready to strike, while viewing through `angle finder’.
I could manage it by following few things: I had my wife (with snake hook and a tong) to handle snakes for me, I had frozen myself completely, even the focusing was done very gently and I had placed my hand there before the snake was placed in front of me. In fact, the snake was covered under a dark cloth and was unveiled only once I had taken my shooting posture and made myself comfortable, ready to click. My wife had taken clearance from me, if I was ready and she could unveil the snake. This is the best way to shoot snakes with camera, when it is a well organised shoot.
In the beginning, any snake is timid and tries to hide, but as the shoot progresses, they become aggressive and ready to strike. Give them rest after a while. So, be very careful! Do not try this posture and the equipment, till you have acquired all the prerequisites for snake photo shoot: you have read all the precautions, you have an expert snake handler (well equipped) in place, you have learned adequately about snakes, snakebite emergency, etc. Please do not compromise with anything, it has to be 100% safety drill. You are free to ask me questions !! If I know, then you will get a reply soon, otherwise it may take sometime, also I need to be around the internet to reply.
Please read the Page `Snake Photography’ for more details about snake photography technique, equipment, etc.
Snake Photography – basics
Snake Photography – basics
Safety Caution: Never ever compromise with your and other’s safety while dealing with snakes for any purpose. The first and foremost rule, even for expert snake-handlers, for handling snakes and photographing them is: if you are not sure what species the snake is, leave him alone and let go. Never drink liquor on outdoors while handling snakes, most people get bitten by snakes when they are drunk. Generally, snake’s striking reach is equal to one third of it’s total body length. Its is hard to guess about the striking range when snake is coiled up i.e. saw scaled viper, Russell’s viper, etc. Carry a snake-bite first aid kit. Have a transport with you and mobile phone for emergency. Carry few copies of the list of doctors with phone numbers (printed) who can handle snakebite case for treatment. One must avoid bites even from non-poisonous snakes, as bacteria in their mouth can cause serious infection.
Points to bear in mind for Photography of Snakes: One must have someone who can handle snakes, for you to concentrate on photography only. Many people have been bitten while photographing snakes alone i.e. while you are busy looking through the camera you either get so engrossed that you lose track of safe distance from a snake, misjudge the distance between yourself and snake or while changing equipment/ film sitting closer to snake (you think snake is sitting quiet, but decides to move all of a sudden of which you are not aware. At this, all of a sudden you see him very very close and panic), etc. Must carry proper snake handling equipment i.e. tongs, hooks, etc. To catch even non-poisonous snakes, one should use an L-shaped snake-hook made from a broken golf club or buy one specially sold in the market. Use snake-tongs for poisonous snakes. Lack of experience will be your biggest hurdle to get any images or good one at least.
- Snake photography often requires some manipulation of the animal, which must be done with great care and utmost concern for safety of snake and your own. An assistant is a must when photographing active snakes.
- Must know what to do and where to rush in case of a snakebite.
- Select an area where you expect least on-lookers, I suggest NO onlookers at all, when you take out snakes to photograph. These onlookers often distract you.
- Like all other wildlife photography, do not make sudden movements in front of the snake you are photographing, snake will get alert, nervous and panic and may bite, if you are within its striking range.
- Snakes always look their best just after shedding their old skin, and this is the time to photograph them.
- As the day temperature rises, the warmer a snake becomes, the faster it moves. Keep in mind also that snakes are relatively delicate animals, with thin, fragile ribs and nearly non-existent protective cranial bones, so you must handle them with great care. Most snakes are also quite temperature sensitive, and do not tolerate temperatures above 85-90 degrees F well, so never allow them to sit in direct sun on a warm day for more than a minute or two, especially in summers.
- Early morning in spring or early summer is the best time to photograph snakes, because of good light and comfortable temperatures. Usually, experts place a snake in a refrigerator for a very short period to make it less active, before photography session, after securing it in a bag. Never try this technique, unless you have learned about it, as you may kill the snake by giving over exposure to cold. One needs to assess how much cooling time a particular snake species or individual may need i.e. body size, health state, species, ambient temperature, etc. Move as slow as possible. Keep looking at the snake being photographed.
- Above all, treat snakes with respect and be very gentle with them.
- Setting up a tripod and careful composition are a luxury with most species.
Preparation: You need to prepare yourself for a snake photography session, following are a few suggestions and may vary from person to person and depending on the hardware available to you.
- One should always have a computer printed `check-list’ of items, one needs for such shoots. In case, you miss any important item it may cost you a good shoot or life.
- Carry a basket, having inner-lining of black cloth, of minimum 2 feet radius to cover the snake during intervals, while you are photographing.
- Carry a dark piece of cloth measuring 2×2 meters; basically to place it over snake after trying some shots. Snakes like dark place to rest. Also, while your are changing equipment i.e. changing lens, camera battery, memory card, etc., first place the snake under cover for your safety and to give rest to the snake to cool down.
- Carry enough water to drink and few liters for the snake to cool. Remember, you may drink any kind of water, but you must carry a proper RO filter water or a few bottles of mineral water. The chlorinated water of your government water supply kills snakes often.
- A hand pressure spray bottle, in case you need to spray on the snake to clean a piece of dust or to add droplets of water for a good photo.
- Wear ankleted trousers like the army soldiers or leather anklet shoes, for safety.
Technique: A stretched out snake like a long rope or while moving, usually makes an uninspiring photograph, as it looks like a long narrow object filling up small area of the total frame. A closeup of head portion with tongue flickering, whole body coiled in a symmetrical shape results in an attractive photo. But there are a few things where one has to put in effort to get good photos and you need to do planned preparation for snake photography session.
In terms of equipment and techniques used, I have resorted to using several methods with varying degrees of success. A commonly used technique by many snake photographers is the plastic “flowerpot” or “dustbin” technique – these should have a loop (made of hard material, not a thread, so it can stay erect) in the center of its bottom, so when upside down it can be lifted with snake-hook and placed over snake from a safe distance gently. Placing a hand-held pot over poisonous snake is quite risky and should be avoided.
Lift the pot with snake-hook inserted in the loop in its bottom, move it in air vertically and place it over snake very gently, no sudden movements. If the snake is stretched out, just cover part of the body length under the pot and snake will move on its own into the pot. In case, it doesn’t move, one could coax the snake with snake hook and will crawl into the pot. Once the snake has entered the shelter (which most do quite readily, given the chance), the photographer waits a few minutes to allow the animal to acclimatise. The shelter is then very slowly removed by lifting straight up in air, and often, the snake remains underneath in a beautiful, symmetrical coil, and will stay coiled for a short while (depending on few factors i,e, ambient temperature, snake’s temperament, species of the snake, etc.), the photographer slowly takes the shots. Avoid any sudden and quick movements, which will usually scare the snake being photographed. Keep in mind that most snakes habitually seek shelter when threatened. Simply leaving the animal alone and foregoing photography for a while, allowing it a few minutes to calm down under a shelter probably reduces the amount of stress on the snake more than anything else you could do. And you may resume your photo session with your `model’ snake. Move your equipment as little as possible, if situation permits, aim and focus your camera in advance. Use a cable release, if possible, so you don’t have to move your hand up to the camera.
In wildlife photography, the difference between success and failure is knowing your subject. Many of the best wildlife photographers have backgrounds as hunters or wildlife biologists. With most wild animals, you cannot approach them directly. A frightened animal will show its abnormal behaviour in your photograph. Don’t be pushy; slow down and relax. Sit down for a while. Be still. Do not make sudden movements to avoid being perceived as a threat. Let snake accept your presence.
Based on my own experience, ideal camera equipment for Snake Photography, in modern times, is given below:
* Digital SLR camera body, having good `writing speed’ and capable of clicking more than 5 frames per second and about 10 mega pixels, so you can crop your image.
* Macro Lens: One needs to be extra careful with snakes at these close distances in order to prevent being bitten. With 100mm macro lens, usually means that your hands on the lens will be within striking range of the snake. Macro lenses of 180mm or 200mm will allow a safe working distance. You may use extenders (modern extenders are of good quality), if your lens and camera permit.
* Macro/ ring flash. But be careful about its own reflection in the eyes of snakes.
* Have one 28-120mm lens for variable shots.
* Tripod with ball head.
* Monopod with ball head.
* Angle Finder: For those intimate high impact images of the Russell’s Viper or it’s head and distinctive golden eye with black vertical pupil, I resort to using a beanbag and angle finder. An angle-finder fitted to the viewfinder saves cricking your neck. It is a periscope accessory to be fitted on SLR camera body eyepiece; some camera manufacturers call it `Anglefinder’, `Right Angle Finder’ etc., for very low angle shots. Its an amazing accessory, usually, considered as a waste of money by many, even most pros. I am quite amazed that most have no idea about its existence. Once you discover it’s utility, you will never take your camera out without it. I never go out without my Anglefinder! You must carry a `bean bag’ for this work, to place camera on ground and have it steady, its like having a tripod. Note: One must check the diopter settings of angle finder before you start your photo session.
* If situation permits me, I use a cable release or remote with modern cameras and engage the `mirror-lock’ function (Canon has `Mirror Lock’ as part of its custom functions) to ensure sharp images when working at what are normally slow shutter speeds and small apertures. If one can afford then this is should be practice, this technique gets you very sharp images.
* As for film choice, I prefer to use mostly Fuji Provia 100, or Fuji Velvia whenever possible.
* Carry enough memory cards in one pouch (preferably in waterproof pouch), which have fast writing/ reading speed. Also, you may consider carrying a `stand alone hard drive’, available with many different brands in the market nowadays. Based on my usage of FotoLocket, I recommend it to be your one of the most wanted equipment pieces in your bag/ camera jacket.
I find Russel’s Viper and Cobra as some of India’s most strikingly beautiful snakes and I am never tired of photographing them at any given opportunity.
Snakes have suffered a great deal at the hands of humans and most species are on decline in India. So, deal with them with great care and respect.
Remember, snakes are shy creatures and only bite if you trouble them. Keep a safe distance and enjoy photography sessions with them!
Best of luck!
Busting Your Myth – SLR v/s non-SLR
With the advent of digital technology, photographers have mushroomed many folds, who are novices and have no idea what equipment they actually need to buy for their photography, especially as beginners. Most of them think that to do good shots, one should just buy an SLR and one starts getting promoted as a great photographer overnight. In some circles, where this kind of showbiz makes a difference, buying an SLR may promote them, but their photography is not promoted, means that is not a place for learning. I keep getting mails and phone calls, almost three to four a day on an average, to consult me while making a vital decisions about which SLR they should buy. After a few questions, I find that the person has no idea about what is the difference between SLR and non-SLR camera, especially in the times of digital technology. Most of them end up making blunders and buy SLRs. Why I say blunders, because you do not need an SLR to learn basics of photography and by the time you hone your skills to reach a level of basic photography, your camera gets outdated, especially at a crucial time when you need an SLR but it has become an outdated. You start getting breathless once again!
The SLR and non-SLR cameras have almost the same quality of output for beginners, at least. Yes, in the film-era, there was a vast difference between the quality of film non-SLR and SLR. We must be careful in assessing our requirements considering what kind of subjects I am going to handle. Also, we can not afford to replace cameras and lenses often, only professionals can afford to add often, for they generate money with the equipment.
I have posted this image to encourage you to reconsider your decisions about SLRs if you are a beginner. I have captured the fast flickering tongue and the image is sharp enough. This was shot with Canon Powershot G5.
I have also posted a photograph, which will blow your myths, in one go. click here….
Majestic Indian Cobra – a gentleman !!!
© Capt Suresh Sharma. All Rights Reserved
A couple of days ago, I decided to have a bit longer night while working on some important issues. At about 0130 hours, I got a call from a young lady, asking if I am Capt Suresh Sharma from the Snake Cell. First, I was a bit skeptical, as it was worrisome to hear a young stranger girl on phone at unearthly hour. First, I thought it was the usual effect of the snake article of the day in the Times of India, where I was part of the article, usually its followed by few such phone calls. So, I reacted in usual manner and waited to hear her first, to know if there was a snake actually. She told me that there was a snake, I had to assess the situation i.e. the gravity of the emergency, type of snake, whether call is hoax or real, any security required, and made her comfortable on phone that she need not worry about the snake, it will not jump on her or chase her, just stand at about five feet and lest he goes off her sight. Finally, on my arrival on the scene, I caught a small common krait. You may refer this photo of Common Krait.
After delivering a sort of lecture about snakes and snakebite to the family, I got back home at about 0315 hours, by the time I washed my hands and face to get ready to sleep, it was 0340 hours. Thought, I should check my mails etc. before I go to sleep, as I would be getting up late in the morning. The moment I sat in my chair, my telephone rang up once again. Now, I got a bit jittery, suspecting the call from the girl who called me for snake rescue. As I know, this act of handling snakes mesmerizes young girls and they do get swayed. To my surprise, there was another call for ‘snake rescue’, I had to ask the gentleman that what was he doing at 0330 hours. He told me that while he was going to washroom in his house, he heard a loud hiss under the washbasin in veranda. He was quite shaky when he spoke to me. I asked for transport as I was too tired to drive my own. On my arrival at the sight where snake was hiding, I discovered it was a big healthy cobra hiding behind a flowerpot. I coaxed him to come out and he did oblige me like a gentleman. Now we both were face to face, me with tong and hook, cobra equipped with his well hidden lethal fangs inside his nice hood. Being a gentleman, he warned me enough to be left alone in peace. It was looking majestic, a handsome cobra indeed. I bagged the cobra and left at the same house under an iron pot, to pick up during the day.
Next day, I invited Gurbir Singh Brar a very spirited, passionate and enthusiastic Flickr friend. He loves photography as much as I like and love it. I like two things about him, he is passionate about photography, secondly he loves to work with good camera equipment. It’s a very good quality, which many people do not have, in spite of the fact that some have money and love photography, but no vision and heart to buy good equipment.
Early morning, we were out and had a nice session with our handsome Cobra model. It was challenging me with its loud and clear hiss, majestically erected hood. Suddenly, with heavy overcast, light had gone bad and had to use Speedlite flash. I treated him with water to drink, so he was ready to pose. After some time, cobra understood that we mean no harm to him and was quite calm and gentle. It’s a technique to communicate and assure them that you mean no harm.
It was the first photo session for Gurbir with any snake. He was quite excited. More you may ask him yourself http://flickr.com/photos/gurbirsinghbrar/
To most of you, it will look like a risky photo session. Most will say, I must have overlooked my own “safety book”. No, I will never overlook that.
I love this shot.
TO KNOW MORE ABOUT COBRA CLICK HERE
© Capt Suresh Sharma. All Rights Reserved
Photography Tips:
1. With my experience, I can say that cobra is one of the best Indian snakes for photography. I would like to mention here that its known as ‘Good Snake’ – in Tamil Nadu state of India its called `Nalla Pamboo’ – `nalla’ means good, `pamboo’ means snake. Mainly, its posture, when its hood is erect, makes it a very handsome majestic snake and you are bound to make good photographs. I do not mean you do not get good photos with other snakes, they do have their own beauty and attractive features and postures.
2. Cobra raises its hood, basically, to warn you to stay away from him and requesting to give him way to escape. As, I have mentioned before as well, they are not interested in you, as you are not their food. They always like to avoid any such confrontation. Also, they are more scared of you, than what you are of them.
3. Since they perceive threat to their life, from your very presence itself and your movements alarm and scare them badly, so they need to have assurance from you that you will no harm them, before you deploy your `camera arsenal’. For this, you need to establish communication with them, which doesn’t mean a verbal dialogue, in any case they can not hear as they do not have ears. Your message can be conveyed silently, while being a gentleman with them that they are in safe hands.
4. Once you have done that then they are like your pets. But they are very strict about discipline, still no liberty, you can not cross the safety limits. Do not forget, the only permission or consent you got for being a gentleman is that you can photograph them within certain limits. Its like getting a beautiful model in bikini for a professional photo shoot, messing beyond that be seeking serious trouble!! That you all know well. So, let me reiterate, there will be moments of temptations while having photo session with your snake models too, as they too look pretty and attractive. As a photographer you would like to shoot all those great angles and get closer and closer or touch them even.
5. Do not expose them for too long under the Sun and on a hot surface, they are delicate and will die with such exposure. Do give them rest after every angle.
6. Do carry a five to six feet long stick, with a piece of hanging cloth at one end. So, your snake handler can draw snake’s attention and change his poses and postures, as you need compose.
Difference Between Venomous and Non-venomous Snakes?
© Capt Suresh Sharma. All Rights Reserved
Common Krait Bungarus caeruleus
Often, during my lectures on `snakes and snakebite’, or on the street or by guests at home, I am confronted by this commonly asked question `how to identify a snake’ or `how to differentiate between a venomous or non-venomous snake’. I think most of them expect me to give them a `quick fix’ answer – snakes those are black or hissing are venomous etc. Its not true, there is no short cut to know about which one is venomous, other than learning by practice – seeing them time and again, all snakes of one particular species look alike. So, all cobras will look alike, when confronted by a human being’s sudden appearance, they raise their hood, all Russell’s Vipers have the same kind of markings and hiss loud, all common kraits are black with twin bands on their body, all rat-snakes are alike, etc. So, you can learn about how to identify a snake, under trained eyes of an expert who is good at handling snakes or anyone who knows about snakes well.
CAUTION: As a common man, you must not even try to identify a snake, it solves no purpose. Just follow one rule of thumb: maintain a safe distance from a snake and stay away from its striking range, which is approximately one third of the total body length of the snake in your proximity. For a common man, snake is a snake!
In the past, I have seen, with poor knowledge of snakes, many snake handlers have got into trouble – mistaken identity ! Often a Russell’s Viper is mistaken for python baby, saw-scaled viper as common cat snake, common krait as wolf snake, etc. This can be a seriously dangerous and fatal mistake. Such incidents have occurred but not recorded so far. Whenever there is a Russell’s Viper sighted in my town, people often call and say that they have spotted a python baby. And I know that its Russell’s Viper and caution them to stay away at a safe distance and keep an eye till I reach.
On the lighter side: the Indian politicians, who have red or blue beacons and flags on their cars as VIPs, are the most dangerous `animals’ and can be identified with those signs, they are the `venomous snakes’ (synonym to evil) in real terms, attack others unprovoked. Sadly, these two-legged animals are out of synch on this planet. No other animal lives outside the rules of our eco-system, to cause anykind of destruction. There is no other animal which is so arrogant, as humans. And not surprised, now humans have started paying the price, most of us are affected by disease. And may be on the brink of self-annihilation.
NOTE: Please note that this information is very basic and meant for common man ONLY. The scientific methods and techniques to identify or to differentiate between a venomous and non-venomous snakes, are very accurate and are spcified clearly.
Common Krait Coiled After Bath for Photo Session
This Common Krait Bungarus caeruleus (deadliest Indian snake, known to be 15 times more venomous than a cobra), was rescued from a house and rehabilitated in the wild, after modeling for a brief photo session. It had to be given bath during the photo session, as the dust particles were showing up with macro lens, so these droplets on the snake.
Usually, I do a photo session with rescued snakes, before their relocation in the wild. I use Canon 20D and 30D, Canon 180 mm L series macro, Canon 100 mm macro, etc. Always, I consider safety of paramount concern, I may miss my planned shots, but no fooling around with snakes beyond a limit. I respect and fear them as I did when I had not known them so well, rather I dread snakes much more now, for I know how complicated a snakebite can get. I have seen and heard about some of the snake handlers getting bitten and then leaving the world forever, foolish ! It happens, when one gets over-confident about snakes and starts handling them as if they are a machine under control.
Snakes are known for `making great escapes and giving surprises all the time’. So, be extra careful when you have snakes with you. Also, one should not trouble them beyond a certain point while doing photo session and respect them for their `right to live’ in peace.
Here, I was about 12-18 inches from this snake, while photographing. The snake, model for the photo session, was hanging on my snake hook for `pre-makeup’ wash for the shoot. After the wash, it was looking so beautiful that I did few shots while it was resting on the snake handling hook. The `catch’ is – no sudden movements next to snake which is modeling for you; they perceive threat from our movements and may bite, if well within the striking range. To know more about snakes, please click on the link The Snake Cell
The Snake Cell is to help people understand about snakes and snakebite, and their role in ecology of this planet and our environment. It has remained as a self-funded project for ten years now.
To know more about the author Capt Suresh Sharma
Russell’s Viper
Photo by: Captain Suresh
Russell’s Viper is one of the most venomous snakes of India, but very photogenic. Also, I consider it one of the difficult ones for photography. To know more about snakes, please log on to www.snakecell.org
Recently, herpetologist/ scientist Dr Ranjan Maheshwari from Kota (Rajasthan) came to visit me and commented that he has never seen such a beautiful photo of Russell’s Viper. He said that, most probably, its the best Russell’s Viper photo in the world.
This photo was achieved with the equipment mentioned on the page Snake Photography and Photo Session. This particular individual was the most aggressive I have ever handled, made me shiver many times and had to sweat a lot, during the shoot. It could jump quite high off the ground, a superb gymnast! Never experienced this kind of jump in last 18 years.
© Capt Suresh Sharma. All Rights Reserved
Website of the Author, Capt Suresh Sharma
Flickering Beauty in Grass !!
There are different types of cat snakes – the Indian Gamma and the Ceylon cat snake.
The Indian Gamma (Boiga trigonata), which is also known as cat snake. It is a small snake. Its eyes are large with mustard yellow iris and vertical pupil. It is usually yellowish brown, sandy or fawn and is spotted with darker shades. Its belly is white and on its lateral side there are brown spots.
The Cat Snake is a nocturnal snake usually encountered on the move at night. Indian Gamma coils itself in bushes into a little heap and does not stretch out its body as other snakes do. It is very common in evergreen and deciduous forests. It is an excellent climber and can jump from heights to the ground. If it is caught by the tail, it climbs up its own body and bites. When caught by the neck, it ejects an evil smelling stream of yellow and white secretion from its anal gland. This snake has fangs in the back of the mouth. The secretion that comes from its parotid gland is toxic and fatal to lizards and highly toxic to mice. It’s a very brave snake and acts very offensively on the least provocation. Its striking posture is characteristic. The head and fore-body are erected well off the ground and the latter thrown into a figure of eight loop, the head being poised in the middle. Prior to striking, the erected part is swayed forwards and backwards the whole body inflated and deflated and the tail vibrates briskly.
This Snake feeds on almost anything it can capture but has a strong liking for lizards, in particular the garden lizards. It kills small birds, mammals and lizards by constriction.
Author’s Website CAPT SURESH SHARMA