Photography tips and tricks
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Photography
Forum Description: A place to discuss photography.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42340
Printed Date: April 09 2025 at 7:35am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Photography tips and tricks
Posted By: EagleEyez5
Subject: Photography tips and tricks
Date Posted: July 18 2010 at 10:51am
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Here are just a few little tips for taking pictures.
1- Take the pictures as straight through the glass as you can. This will eliminate any distortion from the glass. 2- Turn off all pumps. This allows you to shoot with a slower shutter speed without getting movement. Movement=unfocused 2a. Use a Tripod if you can 3- Turn off or eliminate any light other than the tank. Best to take pictures at night. I have seen someone put a dark blanket over the tank (with the camera under it) to take pictures. 4- Set the white balance if your camera has one. This is vital for getting sharp and correct colors. (this can also be done in the editing process) 5- Get a good poto editing software. (there are many free, and expensive programs out there) I prefer picasa by google 5a. We all know what color coraline algae is, so over editing to make the colors look brighter is a bad idea, people feel like you are trying to lie. 6- If you can, buy an nice camera. This is the most important part to taking pictures. I have shot with a point and shoot, and out of the 5,000 or so pictures I have taken with that, I have had maybe 10 I would consider great. I am a nikon man, and prefer a camera with as many personal and customizable settings as possible. Getting the settings right before you take the picture always helps you get better pictures. 7- Don't use a flash, it will wash out the colors of the lights you have over the tank, thus eliminating the vibrant color you seen when you look at the coral in your tank. With a point and shoot, try to shoot in the night time setting, or in the close up setting when possible. |
Replies:
Posted By: downhill_biker
Date Posted: July 18 2010 at 11:10am
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I think as a general rule your tips are great for full tank shots, but probably not the best for fish/coral shots. I witnessed Mike Savage taking pictures of my tank and he almost always used the flash and had enough of an angle to let the flash remain out of the picture. When I take my close up coral pics I use my camera underwater, and use the macro or super-macro settings, I dont use the flash because it tends to just show up white. I think there is a fine line between using your flash and making your corals appear transparent because the flash is bouncing off their skeleton. I definitely agree with the statement to take pics at night if possible. Really is nice when there are no reflections from windows, or a tv, or stuff like that.
------------- Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum. |
Posted By: EagleEyez5
Date Posted: July 18 2010 at 8:45pm
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My reasoning behind not using a flash is because I have never seen a flash with the color spectrum between 14000-17000. I prefer to see pictures of my corals as I see them in my tank. To me, that is the real color, since that is the color I see every day. Too often though, the camera will wash out the shot with too much blue (if the white balance is not set) or too much white (when using the flash).
These are the tips I use for taking coral pictures. Slowing down the shutter speed, however, will not work when taking pictures of fish (since they don't stop moving). |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: July 18 2010 at 8:47pm
Great posts! keep them coming.  ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Aquaristnewbie
Date Posted: September 15 2010 at 7:51pm
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Just to add to the list use a tripod while slowing your shutter speed. You can get some awesome coral shots when you slow the shutter speed and using a tripod for stability so you dont get that blurring. Does not work as well for fish but awesome on corals. If you have a SLR mess with your aperature and white balance to really bring out the colors. Tripods or even monopods can make for some awesome shots ------------- 150 gallon Reef Millcreek Utah |