Photographing Fish & Aquascapes?

**kcrossley** · 03-24-2010, 01:05 AM

Does anyone have any tips on how to take the best photos of a planted tank and its inhabitants? How should I configure my digital camera for the best images possible?

**kcrossley** · 03-24-2010, 01:07 AM

Here are a few images I just took. Seems like they could be a little crisper, plus trying to focus on swimming fish is really challenging.

JakeJ · 03-24-2010, 01:08 AM

I have found that the best way to get a good FTS is to turn all the lights in the room off, including the flash, but leave the tank light on. Then take the picture.
Jake

Edit: Your tank and potography is good!

mistergreen · 03-24-2010, 02:43 AM

Your photos look pretty good.

Shoot plants and fish are 2 different things. What JakeJ said is good for shooting plants.

If you're trying to shoot fast moving fish, you'll need flash. You'll need a remote flash aim from above the tank or if you don't have a remote flash, you'll have to shoot at an angle (around 45°) to the subject so that the flash doesn't bounce back into the camera off the glass.

ldk59 · 03-24-2010, 04:12 AM

Here's a couple links that I've found

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/a...tography.shtml

http://www.gorephoto.com/blog/?p=626

I believe there is also a tutorial on one of Amanos sites, but I'm unable to loate the link for some reason...

HTH

Larry

BTW, I think your photos look ok... only suggestion I'd give you is to speed up your shutter/ turn up your ISO speed

over_stocked · 03-24-2010, 04:23 AM

On my Canon DSLR I have a flash that can adjust, but do not have remote cable. I have had good luck pointing it straight up with a piece of mirror at a 45 degree angle to bounce it into the tank.

It takes a lot of practice, but I got it down pretty well...

For tanks, no room light, no flash, wide aperture and slower shutter.

To do both... a remote flash will have to be there.

tyler79durdan · 03-24-2010, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by over_stocked

On my Canon DSLR I have a flash that can adjust, but do not have remote cable. I have had good luck pointing it straight up with a piece of mirror at a 45 degree angle to bounce it into the tank.

It takes a lot of practice, but I got it down pretty well...

For tanks, no room light, no flash, wide aperture and slower shutter.

To do both... a remote flash will have to be there.

Does the mirror reflect the image and flash or just the image? Essentially blocking the flash... Can you explain in a little more detail O_S? Thanks

over_stocked · 03-24-2010, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyler79durdan

Does the mirror reflect the image and flash or just the image? Essentially blocking the flash... Can you explain in a little more detail O_S? Thanks

Just flash. The flash points straight up, the mirror points down towards tank.

03-24-2010, 01:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
kcrossley "This madness ends now!" (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,062	Photographing Fish & Aquascapes? Does anyone have any tips on how to take the best photos of a planted tank and its inhabitants? How should I configure my digital camera for the best images possible?

03-24-2010, 01:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
JakeJ Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,932	I have found that the best way to get a good FTS is to turn all the lights in the room off, including the flash, but leave the tank light on. Then take the picture. Jake Edit: Your tank and potography is good! __________________ Blog 20gRipariumJournal Eheim Pimp #417

03-24-2010, 02:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
mistergreen algaevore (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 6,936	Your photos look pretty good. Shoot plants and fish are 2 different things. What JakeJ said is good for shooting plants. If you're trying to shoot fast moving fish, you'll need flash. You'll need a remote flash aim from above the tank or if you don't have a remote flash, you'll have to shoot at an angle (around 45°) to the subject so that the flash doesn't bounce back into the camera off the glass. __________________ Algae happens. The intensity of light drives the plant's need for nutrients and CO2.

03-24-2010, 04:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
ldk59 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jackson, MI Posts: 463	Here's a couple links that I've found http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/a...tography.shtml http://www.gorephoto.com/blog/?p=626 I believe there is also a tutorial on one of Amanos sites, but I'm unable to loate the link for some reason... HTH Larry BTW, I think your photos look ok... only suggestion I'd give you is to speed up your shutter/ turn up your ISO speed __________________

03-24-2010, 04:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
over_stocked justin@rootmedic.net (View User Tanks) PTrader: (38/100%) Join Date: May 2007 Location: 911 Posts: 4,000	On my Canon DSLR I have a flash that can adjust, but do not have remote cable. I have had good luck pointing it straight up with a piece of mirror at a 45 degree angle to bounce it into the tank. It takes a lot of practice, but I got it down pretty well... For tanks, no room light, no flash, wide aperture and slower shutter. To do both... a remote flash will have to be there. __________________ blog Tales from the Crypt buy RootMedic facebook twitter

03-24-2010, 01:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
kcrossley "This madness ends now!" (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,062	Here are a few images I just took. Seems like they could be a little crisper, plus trying to focus on swimming fish is really challenging.

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