Ok, what's the secret to photographing fish

A. Nonymous

A. Nonymous

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Feb 4, 2008
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I see all these very cool and beautiful pics of fish around here. I must know what the secret is. Every time I try to take picture of my fish they turn out awful because the stupid things won't stay still. Is there a particular setting on my camera I should use? Do I need to adjust the aperture or frame speed or anything like that? I'd love to show off my tanks or do a diary, but I can't get any of the pictures to turn out.
 
What kind of camera do you have?
 
I've got a Vivitar X90 if that helps.
 
using a tripod helps a bit
 
make sure your tank is the only/major light source. dont use a flash. if you have a macro setting, that often helps. if you can set your camera up for a 3 picture burst, that can help too. just be patient and take LOTS of pictures. generally youll get a couple out of 10 shots or so that are pretty good
 
^^ I agree with Chester. I am no great photographer either (I can't even hold the camera still LOL), but the key is to make sure your tank light is On, the lights in the room are not bright, don't use a flash, and use the 'macro' setting. It's still tough to get a good shot, but if you have patience and just keep shooting over and over you should get a couple good shots. Oh, except for really small and fast fish, I've never been able to get a great shot of them under any circumstances, but I know some people can.
 
if your tank lights are really bright (or you can add extra lights just for photographing fish) you can set most digital cameras up for either aperture or shutter priority. if the lights are bright enough, you shutter will close faster, because it wont take as long to create the correct amount of "exposure" for the image to look good.
 
Pure luck!! haha honestly that is how i get mine. My old man used to say if you do it enough times its bound to work once.

it does take time to get the perfect picture im nowhere near.
i would say to get really good shots you should use a SLR if you can afford one with macro lens, great lighting but no flash and a tripod.

I have read that lots of photographers use glass plates to limit the size the fish has to swim (small fish only) and also the use of tanks designed just for photgraphing. ie the layout will put the fish into a great position for photographing with optimum lighting, background that sort of thing.

But as many have already said simply good lighting and steady hand or tripod.

good luck
 
I find it helps to get the fish used to seeing you with a camera. At first it freaked them out. After letting it rest on the table and being picked up and moved frequently, they got used to seeing it and stopped swimming away in panic.
 
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