taking pictures

The "trick" so to speak is to have a lot of ambient light or flash pods and to utilize a very fast shutter speed. (and to be very patient... the last time I took some pictures of my fish, I spent 3 hours sitting by the tank with my camera.) Slow shutter speeds catch motion blurrs very easily. A fast shutter speed will allow you to catch details of a moving object as if it were sitting still. Try shooting from a slight angle if you are using the on-board flash, and that will help deflect the flash to some degree. Another trick is to put a little bit of tissue or wax paper over the flash itself to diffuse the flash a little bit. It is really easiest to just have a lot of ambient light (i.e. a well lit room on a sunny day) and have some patience. I'll link a couple pictures I've taken of my fish for you guys to check out. (and a couple of insects that I got just because I can :-P) I have more pictures in a forum under general freshwater titled "Taking a good picture!" If you would like to see more pictures, feel free to ask me, and I would be glad to post more.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c70/animefan73/IMG_0914.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c70/animefan73/IMG_0867.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c70/animefan73/IMG_1033.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c70/animefan73/IMG_1101.jpg
 
say what if i have a digital camera? that wouldnt work?

The pictures I linked are taken on a Canon 300D. (Canon Digital Rebel) Digital photography of fish is much easier than film, since you have instant results for the shot you just took, rather than waiting up to 2 days for photo processing.
 
Here are som etips for you with your camera. After reading this sit down with your camera and try to take some pics with these tips. Whatever you don't understand ask about and I will dial you in to where you can take very nice pics.

For camera settings I recommend....
1. Set your white balance before you take the photo. You will get better color resolution in the pic.
2. Set your iso to 400 if possible/
3. Set your lens to MACRO. there should be a flower/tulip icon.
4. Get the camera as close to the tank as possible and then zoom in as close as possible while maintaining focus.
5. Make sure the outside glass is clean and that the algae has been removed also.
6. Make sure the room is completely dark except for the tank lights.
7. Take one pic w/flash and one without.
8. Try taking one pic on auto setting w/macro and one in manual setting...M...SHOULD BE THE ICON.
9. If you use an slr use a 105mm lens.

For Photoshoppe...
1. adjust levels first.
2. Adjust contrast second.
3. Adjust Hue/saturation next.
4. Adjust Photo filter color temp next. If you don't have this feature don't worry.
5. Adjust size next. 450X325 is good with 10 as file size if it ask about quality.
6. Adjust sharpness last after resizing. Adjust sharpen edges. That should be enough.

If you ever need photos shopped for you send them to me in PM and I will edit and send back.
 
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