Photo Techniques

[Anubias]

Ok guys and gals, what techniques are you using to photogragh your fish. ive had a mixed bag of results and i need some help. Im using a digital SLR and flooding the top of the tank with light so i can use a fast shutter speed but this is giving mixed results. also, even with the light in the room off, im finding that i am getting reflections from the light in the tank bouncing off things in the room. Any suggestions???HELP!!!

[Rallysman]

I usually use ISO100, F3.0, and shutter around 1/100

Light is the main key, and practice makes perfect:)
Macro mode helps a lot too

[hope]

I've also found that having a black background helps A LOT! We've been messing around and like it was said...practice with different settings :) My camera does better on some settings while my husbands does better on others...good luck!

[webcricket]

Do you have a macro lens for the camera? If you're looking for close-ups, you'll want a lens able to focus within a few mm of your subject. Then you can put the camera right up to the glass and not worry about reflections. If you're working with zoom, your picture quality is going to be less reliable and you'll pick up reflections. If you don't have macro, choose the lowest f setting and it will help narrow your focus and minimize reflection, but not completely.

I use an ISO 400, f ranging from 2.8 to 3.5, and somewhat slow shutter speed of 1/30 up to 1/125. It's great when the fish cooperate and don't swim around too fast, LOL. The better the lighting on your fish, the faster the shutter speed you can use. No flash of course.

[Anubias]

Yeah thanks, that gives me something to play with. Just checked out your tanks, very nice, photos look like they were shot with a 30th shutter speed looking at the bubbles, would that be close? what aperature did you use. LOVE the large log, gives the tank so much character.

[webcricket]

Thanks! Yes, the full shots are all around 1/30 give or take. Most of the fish shots are 1/30 and f 2.8 since I'm low light on my tanks. The puffers are 1/50 or 1/125 and f 3.2 and up, because there is a bit more light to work with in their tank. Basically anything in that range should get you in the ball park. Digital is great because you can experiment and not waste film (just batteries, hehe).

[Rallysman]

Keep in mind, as you increase the ISO, your pictures will appear more grainy.

[CajunCC]

Head out to wal mart or somewhere similar and buy a black bed sheet. Cut a small slit in it just large enough for your camera lens. Turn off the room lights, crawl under your blanket, poke the camera through, and go to town.

[Anubias]

Yeah, go cajunCC, i like it. the simply ideas are always the best. thanks mate

[hope]

Head out to wal mart or somewhere similar and buy a black bed sheet. Cut a small slit in it just large enough for your camera lens. Turn off the room lights, crawl under your blanket, poke the camera through, and go to town.

Hmmm...We have a black sheet here ...I may just have to dig it out tonight! Thanks for the tip!

[Rbishop]

Can you give us some updated photos?