Here is looking at you....
Mike,
Sorry I haven't been on the forum for some time.
In answer to your questions on the rattlesnake extended outside the photo,
That was done with some masking in Photoshop and a slight drop shadow added
to the portion of the snake outside the main shoot. You should be able to fine
info on the web, search under "pop out photo" so similar terms for examples and
techniques.
Clarence