Normally, in photography, the goal is to have to retouch your picture as less as possible. In other words, if you can get some effect with your digital camera, you better do it that way than doing it with photoshop. However, really learning a digital camera is something that takes a lot of time!!
Nice chameleon buddy.
Since you are asking for suggestions photography-wise, i'd say that you should start by removing all human-made objects in your pictures. No fingers, no pots, no screening, etc. Just plants, the sky, and your lovely chameleon! ;)
I also believe that your focussing issue...
Must be a 18-55mm or something like that. Maybe 18-105mm.
If i were you, i'd look for a lens that is labeled "micro" or "macro". If you have the choice, i'd use a macro lens that has a fixed focal (ie: only one number: 85mm, 105mm, 55mm, but not 18-55 for example). These will give you more...
The wattage will depend on the temperature needs you have. In other words, you'll have to find out yourself by measuring the temperatures on top, middle and bottom of your enclosure.
As for pictures, here are some of my pardalis' enclosure:
View from outside
View from inside
Superworms have been a part of our chameleon diet for over 2 years now, and i have seen no problem whatsoever. At home, we feed 40% superworms, 40% crickets and 20% others (waxworms, silkworms, hornworms) to all our chameleons (2 pardalis + 1 verrucosus) and there is no problem.
I even know...
Is your husband finally going to sell some this year Jann? :p You know, he could really make some money out of it! ;)
EDIT: I'd take a verrucosus like that! ;)
As a Nikon user, i can hardly suggest Canon lens to you. However, i agree with the fact that you must buy a macro lens in order to get better chameleon pictures. On the other hand, i don't suggest using flashs with chameleons. I'd rather put my money on a photograph lamp because it is wayyyy...
Woah this is totally crazy!! I have always been a Beavis and Butthead fan! I also own all of their DVDs! I'll definately have to talk a look at the new episodes!! :D
And Cain, i definately feel sorry that you couldn't see the episodes before!! You must have been really traumatized! :p
Nice shot. Maybe the next time you should try with a smaller aperture (F.6++) in order to have a bigger depth of field. This way, you'd be able to have the eyes in focus too! :)
On a side note, i don't know if you changed the colors/temperature, but the beige look of the picture is really nice! :)
Once you use a reflex digital camera, it's not the camera itself that is important, but the lens you use! For example, take a look at Jannb's pictures, taken with a 115mm macro (right Jann? - which is a very very good lens) with a good old D80 (not even a semi-pro camera anymore), and change it...
Here is another thread for you Todnedo:
http://martybugs.net/blog/blog.cgi/other/Importance-Of-Eyes-In-Portrait-Photography.html
In this website, it clearly states that "it is important to ensure the eyes are in focus." A great example is the first picture, called "Samantha". In this picture...
What you believe is "not being focus" is, as I already said, called "depth of field". You may ask ANYONE who knows little about photography, they will ALL agree with me! :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field
Indeed! In my opinion, at least 90% of the chameleon pictures have to be realized with a small depth of field (more blurry in the background). However, in portrait or other kind of photography, that effect has to be avoided in maybe half the time!
Peter Kraemer's picture is definately not out of focus. The focus is indeed very good, and on the eyes (like it's highly suggested in photography, either animal or human portrait). The blurry effect is called "depth of field", which is created by having a very big aperture (F1.4 to F2.8)...