In the Garden of Good and Evil (10 Photos)
King Cobra, 2011. © Mark Laita
Snakes have been used to represent the duality of human nature in literature, religion, psychology and art for centuries. Throughout Mark Laita’s new book, Serpentine, there are quotes to remind us that snakes are the manifestation of good and evil—the beauty and the bite of the serpent. Yet the reptiles take on another level of representation in Laita’s images, becoming abstract patterns and colors and forms.
By photographing the scaled carnivores on a simple black background, as Laita has done with other animals, they pop off the page and for a moment, we forget how dangerous these beautiful creatures can be. A timber rattlesnake wrapped around itself, the mesmerizing pattern of its stripes ending in a shock of blue before its rattle reminds you of its venomous bite. The sleek silver of the Mexican black kingsnake is so deceivingly shimmery, it comes as a surprise to learn it eats its own kind, not to mention birds, mammals and other reptiles.
The serpents’ pliable bodies twist and turn into more than just a singular line. We wonder: Did Laita manipulate the urutu into the shape of a heart, or did the viper become that on its own? How can an albino black pastel royal python, which reaches three to five feet in length, so delicately wrap its yellow and white body into a knot, appearing as if it has no head or tail?
That nature can create such fascinating beings is reason enough to celebrate their gorgeous glory.
Albino Black Pastel Royal Python, 2010. © Mark Laita
Beautiful Pit Viper, 2011. © Mark Laita
Mexican Black Kingsnake, 2010. © Mark Laita
Red Spitting Cobra, 2010. © Mark Laita
Albino Honduran Milksnake, 2011. © Mark Laita
Rowley’s Palm Pit Viper, 2012. © Mark Laita
Moroccan Cobra (juvenile), 2010. © Mark Laita
Vogel’s Pit Viper (female), 2011. © Mark Laita
Reticulated Python (with Alligator), 2011. © Mark Laita
Tags: Animals, Exotic Animals, Mark Laita, Nature, snakes
February 26th, 2013 at 12:51 pm EEDT
The “Reticulated Python (with Alligator), 2011. © Mark Laita” is actually a Boa and alligator, its not a retic! Sigh…
February 26th, 2013 at 12:53 pm EEDT
Also, the Royal python is also more commonly known as a Ball Python, hence they Ball up to avoid a predator from attacking it’s vulnerable head…
February 26th, 2013 at 1:08 pm EEDT
http://www.guidomocafico.com/se1.html
February 26th, 2013 at 1:21 pm EEDT
Beautifully done, so elegant.
February 26th, 2013 at 9:32 pm EEDT
Guido Mocafico’s Serpens is better
March 3rd, 2013 at 3:03 pm EEDT
Jeez Josh….It’s about the photos not the technical names. But you did show how smart you are. Any photos??
March 4th, 2013 at 4:17 pm EEDT
I love the color and contrast of these photos! Stunning snakes and stunning photography!
March 5th, 2013 at 10:39 am EEDT
“Reticulated Python (with Alligator)”, mislabled and is a Common Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator) to my knowledge has no interest in eating alligators and feeds mainly on rodents and birds. It makes me wonder if this picture was staged. If so, come on Dude! Your photography is amazing, why must you sensationalize? SMH
March 27th, 2013 at 5:28 am EEDT
amazing colours and details