Taking "Critter" pictures...

[CaraRose]

I was wondering if anyone here could give me some suggestions. I own three hamsters, and being an obsessive hamster owner I would like to get some good pictures of them. Past the simple fact that they pretty much don't stop moving often long enough for me to take the picture, I have the problems with lighting and size. They're indoor pets, so I'm reliant on the flash, and I can't seem to get a good picture without a harsh shadow in the background. They're also fairly small, which makes it difficult to get a closer shot, especially of my campbell's dwarf, since she's only two inches or so long.

This is one of the better onces I've taken of my little old guy, Pepito.

[schrackman]

Set your hamster in an area where there is lots of natural light (like by the window, or even take him outside on the grass, keeping him fenced in of course) and then give him something that he really likes to munch on. That'll allow you to take his picture without flash and keep him still at the same time. You may have to get on your belly for a good close-up shot.
Ray

[opus]

You know what might be interesting? If the hamster's wheel was in a very bright place (outside, fenced in would be great), and if you got some "action" shots of the hamster running on the wheel with the hamster in focus and the wheel in motion.

You could maybe pull it off if you made some sort of platform to put the wheel on, and down around the base of it was the fence/cage so the hamster couldn't go far, yet you wouldn't get the fencing in the shot.

Another interesting perspective could be of the hamster asleep inside a transparent container. You'd have to take away more than just a small token of cedar chips though, or he'd bury himself in them, lol.