Face to Face with Dragony
A Bearded Dragon Through a Wide-Angle Lens
Dragony captured with a 10mm lens under vivarium lighting
There’s a quiet intensity in the way reptiles observe the world — and Dragony, my bearded dragon, is no exception. In this portrait session, I aimed to bring that intensity to life through the lens, using the dramatic distortion of a wide-angle lens at 10mm to create a larger-than-life perspective.
Captured under the natural lighting of her vivarium, this image embraces warmth and realism, while pushing creative boundaries with a bold composition.
Camera Settings
- Focal Length: 10mm
- ISO: 1250
- Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec
- Aperture: f/8
- Lighting: Ambient vivarium heat lamps
Bearded Dragon: The Shot
With the camera placed low and close, Dragony’s forward-reaching claw becomes a dominant foreground element — a playful exaggeration that makes the viewer feel like they’re right there in the enclosure. Her textured scales and sharp gaze are highlighted by the shallow depth of field, while the background fades just enough to keep the focus where it belongs.
The use of f/8 gave me just the right depth to maintain clarity across Dragony’s face and forelimb, while the ISO 1250 allowed me to work in available light without sacrificing too much in the way of detail.
This image is both a technical experiment and a personal moment — proof that even in a small terrarium, there’s room for big storytelling.
Why Wide-Angle?
Wide-angle lenses offer a creative edge for animal portraiture — especially with exotic pets like reptiles. They let you play with scale and depth, making the familiar feel a bit surreal. In this case, it helped me turn Dragony into a curious, expressive creature with a touch of whimsy.
More Coming Soon
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights and reptile portraits.
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Photographer
I am a fine art photographer based in the South of England. I enjoy sharing my photographic adventures, hints and tips.
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