Diamondback Rattlesnake

[Tom Callahan]

Captured this image in Madera Canyon, AZ in May 08
Canon 40D
Canon 400mm5.6L
on tripod
Canon 580EXII with flash extender
spot metering
manual
F10
ISO200
1/250

[Harold Davis]

KILLER!! in more than one way! looks way cool! great job!

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Tom,
I really like the tail, tounge and face sharpness and detail. Ideally going to ISO 400 for more ambient light thus allowing the flash to be toned down would have been preferrable..........but I just like the pose very much.

[Meint Sijp]

Hi Tom really nice shot, like the way the DB have its eye on you and smelling what you are, good possition as wel. I took the liberty to give the shot more light and some brightness/contrast to see what difference it made for me and have to say it gave it a more warm look and for me, more power to the picture,

Don't know wether you like it or not.

[Vincent Grafhorst]

Great pose Tom! You got both the tail end, the head and the tongue in one tight frame, very well done. I do like the repost by Sijp with increased contrast.

[Tom Callahan]

Thanks for the comments. I think I will go into PS and see I can create more of what Meint created.

[JP Bruce]

Like your original post better. Real nice composition and great dof. I'll keep my eyes open in Madera Canyon now.

[Tom Callahan]

Thanks all. JP I think Meint's version has the whites too hot and loses some detail. I did a version in PS and used curves and felt it helped it pop without losing detail. I hate raising the ISO if I don't have too. This was done very late in the day and was mostly shade except when an occasional very late soft sun would break thru for a few seconds. Looking at the histogram and lcd I felt no need to raise the ISO. With the 40D I can still see a significant difference at ISO 400.

[Gus Cobos]

Fantastic capture Tom,
Congrats...:eek: Like it the way it is...sure don't want to tick this guy off...:eek::p:D

[Ed Cordes]

Striking image!! Pun intended. I like the original but would suggest just a bit of brightening. The repost was too hot and lost some of the mystery you portray. I really like the rattle and tongue in the frame at the same time.