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Beginners Guide to Aquarium Photography

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#1 · (Edited)
Beginners Guide to Aquarium Photography
A Brief Guide by Chlorophile​


In this guide I will attempt to outline some basics of shooting photography manually, some important gear to have, and how to make due without said gear, as well as some important things to remember when photographing through glass or when working with a scene that has distinct highlights and shadows.


Equipment

Camera: You need a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) to get the best results, or at the very least a camera with manual focus, exposure, ISO, and aperture settings.
Some of the modern point and shoot cameras are very good, but the key factor in an SLR is that when you look through the eye piece you are looking through the lens.

Lenses:There are many types of lenses and they all have different purposes so here is a breakdown of some types of lenses and the pros and cons.

Wide Angle to Normal Zoom lens: This is your typical Kit lens, mine has an adjustable Focal Length of 18-55 which means it can be fairly wide-angle, all the way to just slightly zoomed in.
The benefits of this lens pretty much stop at A. It usually comes with your DSLR. and B. It can focus fairly close.
Mine can focus at the closest on an object .98 feet away.
This lens will not suffice as a Macro Lens, nor will it suffice as a Telephoto lens- but it will take full-tank shots and suffice for most of your photography needs, albeit it will not be ideal for shooting individual fish or shrimp when compared to a macro lens.
Also most cheap variable zoom lenses have will have a high ƒ-stop, which gets even higher when you zoom in, meaning less light gets to your sensor, your shots will get darker, and you'll need to use a higher ISO.

Telephoto: These are either zoom lenses or fixed lenses, mine is a zoom length and has a focal length of 55-200.
This lens is typically a bad choice for aquarium photography because they typically can't focus very close, especially the cheap ones, mine can only focus on an object 3.12 ft or more away, and that number decreases a bit if I am zoomed all the way in.
However the long focal length makes background images larger and it won't make the center of your image appear to bulge out.
This means that if you can stand far away from your tank this lens can create some nice close-ups that will have a shallow depth-of-field similar to what you might be able to get with a macro lens.
They will usually have a higher ƒ-stop when zoomed in

Macro: These lenses are great for photographing close-ups, that is what they are designed to do. If you wan't to see the tiny hairs on your shrimps, or be able to count scales on a fish, then you wan't one of these.
They are very expensive though. They typically have a really low ƒ-stop which means very very shallow depth-of-field, and lots of light is getting to the sensor. They come in Variable-Zoom and fixed zoom and typically have a focal length of 50 or greater to create a very shallow depth-of-field

Fixed: A fixed lens can come in any focal length, but does not zoom.
These are typically higher quality lenses, they typically have larger glass, and almost always have much lower ƒ-stop settings.

Flash:
There are many kinds of flashes, for the most part for aquarium photography you just wan't something that is not pointing directly at the glass.
You can make due without a flash if you have a high light tank or an amazing camera that doesn't get grainy at high ISO settings.
You can also use external lights that are on all the time when doing your photography if your shots are too dark.

Tripod:
I think any tripod is better than no tripod, but if the tripod is worse than you hand holding it, then there is no point in owning it.
I would go with the cheapest tripod you can find from a reputable company.
Get a used tripod that was once top of the line.
I have 2 manfrotto tripods, one is 10+ years old and is awesome, and I have another manfrotto that was the cheapest one I could find on ebay last year.
Both are just fine, one of the legs on the older one does get a bit loose sometimes, but it's because I don't tighten it as much as I should.
This is good to have for full-tank shots, especially if you don't have a high-light tank or an external flash.
Not ideal for photographing fish as it is hard to adjust your camera position and aim on the fly, but it is good for getting details and close-up shots of your hardscape or your plants.
Having the camera steady will let you use a lower ISO and lower shutter speed and not have your entire shot blurry.
The fish however, will still be blurry.

Key Terms:
Focal Length: this number is displayed on your lens, and as far as we are concerned as focal length increases; magnification increases, depth-of-field decreases, and the background of the photo appears closer to the subject, as well as larger and more to scale.

I prefer a higher focal length for aquarium photography as it makes background leaves and hardscape appear larger and creates a more intimate feeling in the shot - in a full tank shot a higher focal length also creates a more accurate image.




ƒ-stop: This is the term used to describe the aperture, which is essentially the lenses iris - a lower ƒ-stop means that the aperture is wider open, letting in more light. The bi-product of a lower ƒ-stop / wider aperture, is that the depth-of-field becomes shorter, or more shallow.

If you refer to the above picture of the toy and the car you will notice that in the top row, the left picture has an ƒ-stop of f/4 which is probably as wide open as the lens can be.
The result is that the shooter can only get the toy in focus.

The image on the right has an ƒ-stop of f22 - he can get much more in focus at once, but he would have had to use a much higher ISO or slower shutter speed to compensate for the diminished light he would have from closing his aperture so much.
Here is another example


For the most part in aquarium photography you wan't a lower ƒ-stop, especially if you don't have a flash or a high-light tank.

Depth-of-field: This is the range of focus in front of and behind the actual focal point - this is adjustable by altering your ƒ-stop.
Lower ƒ-stop means more light and a more shallow depth-of-field.
Higher ƒ-stop means less light and a deeper depth-of-field.

Shutter-Speed: This is just how long the shutter stays open - the longer it is open the more light it will let in, the brighter your image will be.
But you and your subject will have to remain more and more still as your shutter speed gets slower and slower.
I personally can't shoot a steady picture any lower than 1/30th of a second.
Some can go lower, others are much shakier and will be only able to shoot a steady picture at say 1/60th of a second.

ISO: This represents the sensitivity of the camera's sensor.
A higher ISO will make your images brighter, but at the cost of quality - a very high ISO will almost always make your images far too grainy.
A higher quality camera will be able to get away with a higher ISO and not have as much grian. I can't go over 800 on my d40 and get images worth posting.


Technique:

Form:
First and foremost - learn to hold your camera correctly!
Keep both your elbows touching your chest/stomach, bring your head down to meet the eye piece, don't bring the camera up to your eye.
If you are trying to keep the shot extra steady take a deep breath in, breathe out all your air and press your elbows/back of your arms to your chest and in the brief couple seconds where you have no air in your lungs... take the photo!
Don't stick your elbows out, don't stick one elbow out and press one to your chest, don't hold the camera out in front of you and look at the LCD screen.
Keep the eyepiece to your eye, keep your left hand under the lens, cradling it.
That will allow you to adjust your zoom and focus without having to move your hand position and without moving the camera all about.
Also, it'll keep you from looking like a tourist when you are out photographing other things!

Balancing ISO, Aperture, and Shutter-Speed:

Lighting aside, balancing these three things is how you will get the correct exposure in your shots.

For Aquarium Photography we rarely need to raise our ƒ-stop above its lowest setting.
Since we have a low amount of light to work with we wan't to get as much light to our photo sensor as possible.
Raising our ISO will make photos more noisy.
And since we typically have fast moving fauna that will blur out at slower shutter speeds, the best place to get more light first is from using a lower ƒ-stop.
Exceptions to this will typically only occur when you are taking a full tank shot.
At your lowest ƒ-stop you most likely will not have the depth of field needed to get the foreground and background in focus.
In an Iwagumi tank this will be important if you are trying to display what your tank actually looks like - if your foreground rocks and background rocks are blurry but the center is sharp, then that isn't a great representation of your tank.

However, one might intentionally blur out the background or foreground of the tank to create a photo that gives a feeling of being at the foot of a large landscape.


Shots too dark?

  • Lower your ƒ-stop AKA open your aperture.
  • Increase your ISO setting to a higher number. I.E. go from 400 ISO to 800
  • Use a lower, slower, shutter speed. I.E. Try 1/60th of a second instead of 1/120th

Shots too bright? (Lucky you)

  • Decrease your ISO setting to a lower number. I.E. go from 400 ISO to 200
    • If your fish and plants aren't coming out blurry this is the FIRST thing I would do, otherwise increase your shutter speed.
  • Use a higher, faster, shutter speed. I.E. Try 1/120th of a second instead of 1/80th
  • Increase your ƒ-stop AKA close your aperture.


Shots too blurry?
  • Use a faster shutter speed.
    • This will mean your shutter isn't open as long, so your photo will be less blurry, but the side effect is less light is getting to the sensor so your pictures will also be darker.
      To compensate you will have to do one of the following
      • Increase your ISO setting to a higher number.
      • Lower your ƒ-stop



More soon when I get time and clear thoughts.
 
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#4 · (Edited)
The zoom lens is by design variable. It is called just a "Zoom" lens. Variable would refer more to those zooms that have a variable aperture at different focal lengths. A fixed zoom retains the same aperture throughout its range. Zooms can vary between wide angle to barely telephoto and then full telephoto. ie 15-55 is generally a wide angle to "normal" 100-300 is telephoto zoom range.
Many zooms also have a macro feature. Some are better than others. But will do if a prime macro is unavailable.
A telephoto lens usually denotes a prime lens in the 100mm and up category.
A wide angle is generally under 35mm
A "normal" lens is generally 50-55mm but some photogs consider a 70mm normal for portraiture.
A prime lens is any fixed focal length lens and are generally considered better quality than a zoom because they are better quality.
DOF refers to the range (distance) in front of and behind the actual focal point that is still in focus. Lenses in general will have a shorter DOF in front of the focal point and more behind it. This of course is shortened with a larger opening.

FOV. Field of view. If a camera is a "cropped" sensor the field of view of the sensor is less than a full 35mm film frame. Lenses made for FF or 35mm (on certain systems) will work on a cropped sensor. A lens designed for the cropped sensor will usually cause vignetting on a FF camera. A cropped sensor gives the illusion of a longer focal length lens but in reality you're just capturing less then what the lens is capable of.

Tripods. Buy a good tripod. A cheap unsteady tripod is worse than no tripod at all.

In digital it is noise. Grain is for film.

There are 3 diseases aquarium photographers are prone to. MTS, LBA and last but not least CBA. It is recommended to avoid these at all costs. Interventions rarely work.
 
#5 ·
The zoom lens is by design variable. It is called just a "Zoom" lens. Variable would refer more to those zooms that have a variable aperture at different focal lengths. A fixed zoom retains the same aperture throughout its range. Zooms can vary between wide angle to barely telephoto and then full telephoto. ie 15-55 is generally a wide angle to "normal" 100-300 is telephoto zoom range.
Many zooms also have a macro feature. Some are better than others. But will do if a prime macro is unavailable.
A telephoto lens usually denotes a prime lens in the 100mm and up category.
A wide angle is generally under 35mm
A "normal" lens is generally 50-55mm but some photogs consider a 70mm normal for portraiture.
A prime lens is any fixed focal length lens and are generally considered better quality than a zoom because they are better quality.
DOF refers to the range (distance) in front of and behind the actual focal point that is still in focus. Lenses in general will have a shorter DOF in front of the focal point and more behind it. This of course is shortened with a larger opening.

FOV. Field of view. If a camera is a "cropped" sensor the field of view of the sensor is less than a full 35mm film frame. Lenses made for FF or 35mm (on certain systems) will work on a cropped sensor. A lens designed for the cropped sensor will usually cause vignetting on a FF camera. A cropped sensor gives the illusion of a longer focal length lens but in reality you're just capturing lens then what the lens is capable of.

Tripods. Buy a good tripod. A cheap unsteady tripod is worse than no tripod at all.

In digital it is noise. Grain is for film.

There are 3 diseases aquarium photographers are prone to. MTS, LBA and last but not least CBA. It is recommended to avoid these at all costs. Interventions rarely work.
Thanks for the info, I'm not going to get too indepth on lenses and sensor details but I will correct to "noise" and I will correct Variable Zoom lenses to just "zoom lenses" But I am curious as to what MTS LBA and CBA are?
 
#7 ·
Multiple Tank Syndrome
Lens Buying Addiction
Camera Buying Addiction

I suffer from all three.

MTS Somewhere near 30 tanks to be setup in the new fish room.
LBA Too many to count and more money than I care to add up.
CBA Nine or 10 camera bodies. I use all of them at one time or another.


As for white balance. Set it to auto. It'll get you close enough in most cases depending on the camera. Mine does it great about 98% of the time. Since I shoot raw+ it's not really a problem.

As for ISO. You are correct that it is the sensitivity of the sensor but what it allows you to do is either stop the lens down, increase shutter speed or both. Higher ISO's will allow you to shoot in a darker environment and get a correct exposure. It won't just make the pictures brighter. Opening the lens or slowing the shutter will also make them brighter. Or overexposed. Your choice.
Generally you will find my camera set to 400. And if I am just walking with it I will set it to full auto instead of manual. Why? Because there are times when you're walking/driving along and a shot just hits you. Keeping it full auto will allow you to at least get something.
 
#15 ·
I'm going to explain that stuff in the "Balancing ISO, Aperture, and Shutter speed" section.
But I will reword ISO to "If leaving shutter speed and ƒ-stop the same, a higher ISO will brighten the picture"

Also, I don't think there is anything wrong with Lens Buying Addiction!
Especially if they are interchangeable with other camera bodies you may own.
 
#8 ·
Great guide. I just got my first DSLR (canon eos 400d) a few days ago and am trying to figure out how the balance all 3 myself right now. I think I got my macro settings down goodish. 100 ISO, F10 f-stop, 1/60 shutter speed, and using my florecent light WB. I found this produces the least amount of wash out for me and my current kit lens.

This is really an in-depth hobby/field.
 
#9 ·
Increase your ISO to 400. Try to get the shutter speed to at least 125. You could also use shutter priority and let it set the aperture for you however I prefer full on manual. Increasing the shutter speed will stop the fish a little better and reduce camera movement. ISO 400 is a good all around setting. 200 a little better of course. 100 usually leads to too slow a shutter. IMEO
 
#13 ·
I just bought my first camera that wasn't under $50. A Canon Powershot sx40 hs. I've never really been into photography, then I started seeing some of these photos and have been interested. This is a digital with a fixed lens, but a pretty decent zoom to it and it does have some features you're mentioning like aperture and macro. I haven't even scratched the surface yet. I'm wondering can this camera act similar to a slr? I mainly got it instead of the slr because it also shoots 1080p video as well.
 
#14 ·
I just bought my first camera that wasn't under $50. A Canon Powershot sx40 hs. I've never really been into photography, then I started seeing some of these photos and have been interested. This is a digital with a fixed lens, but a pretty decent zoom to it and it does have some features you're mentioning like aperture and macro. I haven't even scratched the surface yet. I'm wondering can this camera act similar to a slr? I mainly got it instead of the slr because it also shoots 1080p video as well.
Im right there with you bro. I never gave a second thought to a nice camera till after seeing shots from Nick and the like. I hate them for doing this to me LOL!
 
#20 ·
Chlorophile,
Thanks for your input. I have a display tank that's proven extremely difficult to accurately capture. Doesn't help to have a lousy hack on the other end of the camera. Can you give me some advice as to which settings you might be inclined to start with?

Display tank - Open top ADA 120P w/ 2 150w pendants. Bulbs are ADA "green" bulbs which do indeed have a slight green hue to them.

DSLR - Rebel XTi w/ Tamron 18-55mm (errr, I think) lens

What do you think?
 
#21 ·
Although mostly a matter of personal taste I find that pictures look the best when you have your focal length as long as possible, especially for detail shots but probably for full tank shots as well.
Sometimes a wide angle is nice if your lens is right up against the glass, but it doesn't have that same "look" as a long focal length...

soooo... set your focal length to atleast 35. But 55 would probably be better for most of your shots.
I don't know exactly how bright those two pendants will make your tank, but I'd start off with an ISO of 400 and try a wide open aperture (lowest ƒ-stop) on a shutter speed of 1/60.
If your too dark or light tweak your shutter speed - if you have to go below a 1/30 shutter speed you probably wan't to raise your ISO to 800.
If you are photographing fish 1/60th will still probably be too slow and they will be blurry so you'll want something around 1/100 depending on how fast your fish are.
You'll have to try out different speeds to see what works.

Also set your white balance to auto, take a picture and if the color looks off then you could try tweaking it warmer or cooler till it looks the most like what you see with your eyes - or you could just go for whatever you think looks cool even if it isn't realistic.
I kind of like setting my white balance a little warmer than what I see in real life for full tank shots.

In our case where we typically have no need to use a smaller aperture you really only need to tweak ISO and shutter speed.
 
#22 ·
Speaking as a complete beginner, defining these acronyms would be awesome.

You need a DSLR to get the best results, or at the very least a camera with manual focus, exposure, ISO, and aperture settings.
Some of the modern point and shoot cameras are very good, but the key factor in an SLR is that when you look through the eye piece you are looking through the lens.
To...

You need a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) to get the best results, or at the very least a camera with manual focus, exposure, ISO, and aperture settings.
Some of the modern point and shoot cameras are very good, but the key factor in an SLR is that when you look through the eye piece you are looking through the lens.

Love the post and finding it very helpful! Just tossing in my thoughts as a complete beginner to all things photographic. Granted, all I had to do was google DSLR, but the first time I read this sentence it was above my head. :icon_redf
 
#31 ·
The simplest thing you can do is not be perpendicular to the glass when shooting. Find the angle that works. Second thing is to change the position of the flash. Hard to do if using the on board flash. If you can't move the flash then you just need to experiment with different camera angles to the glass until you minimize the reflections. Getting close to the glass also helps especially with a decent macro lens although I've done it with my standard 50mm prime. To really get rid of all reflections put the camera in the tank and shoot. You won't get reflections at all if the camera is underwater. You will however be buying a new camera. Your choice.

OK I hope you see the humor in that. NEVER EVER put your camera in the aquarium!! Unless of course it's designed for it.

Click on the line in yellow above before you try that last piece of advice
 
#34 ·
You won't get reflections at all if the camera is underwater. You will however be buying a new camera. Your choice.
I believe this is the best option

BUT If you still feel you really need to take nice pictures without reflections: you can build a small glass cube to insert small webcam in it and let is sink.

im sure everybody has an old webcam that you do not use
and 4 pcs of small square glass with some silicone requires no budget.
 
#35 ·
I believe this is the best option

BUT If you still feel you really need to take nice pictures without reflections: you can build a small glass cube to insert small webcam in it and let is sink.

im sure everybody has an old webcam that you do not use
and 4 pcs of small square glass with some silicone requires no budget.
Unless you know something I don't most (OK All) cubes generally have 8 sides.
 
#41 ·
Well Reehan since you haven't gotten the riddle. You have the top side and the bottom side. The left and right side. The front side and the back side. That's six sides if you're keeping count. You also have the in side and the out side. Total of 8 sides. I rest my case.
 
#46 ·
Good read. How do the pros do it is my question? The camera settings are always talked about but what about the tank setup? Should the tank be back lit? Most pro shots are done without any equipment of course but how do they make he ripple effect? With a fan? Should the room be dark, maybe curtains behind you to deflect any and all external light to avoid reflections? I could never find anything on the net or youtube for some reason. Comments, suggestions.... I would love to learn and I think that would be a great addition to this sticky.
 
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