The 'secret,' Cecil, is a white, greaseless poster tack compound. I have tried to keep it concealed but it can be seen in a few images. The bigger 'trick' is that I shoot these images from directly overhead and the shell is -almost- balanced on its side or end. Also, the lens is more than half a foot from the shell; I use the "close-up lenses on a telephoto lens" method to reduce the foreshortening effect which occurs if the lens gets too close to the subject. There are some other methods involved which may be made known later. There are nearly 90 specimens available now at http://www.cowrys.org/research/teresdb1.htm Aloha, Bob Dayle +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Quoting Cecil Bankston <[log in to unmask]>: > Re: > > > Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 13:00:33 +1000 > > From: Bob Dayle <[log in to unmask]> > > Subject: Cowry database and images temporarily on-line... > > > For any interested in viewing dozens of shells from the Hawaiian Cypraea > teres > > complex, I have posted eight pages of data with images of the shells at > > > http://www.cowrys.org/research/teresdb1.htm > > Bob, > > How do you hold the shells in position to photograph the end and side views? > > -- > Cecil N. Bankston > Baton Rouge, LA > USA > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs > To leave this list, click on the following web link: > http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 > Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and > click leave the list. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------