How important is lighting for photography?
- Thread starter dookie
- Start date
I like my Canon Digital Rebel XT. Great buy for the money. Sure it isn't like one of the top end cameras but unless that is your profession you don't need much more than this. If you want to keep it under a 1k this is my opinion. Then again you will get argument from the Nikon folks. They have a comp that in my opinion is almost as good. But that's just because I prefer canon product. All my photos on this site were with that camera. Shot with either a 18-55 (stock lens) or my sigma 70-300 with macro option. Does not do it full justice because I just started shooting my fish. Water adds a whole new element to taking photos. I have some great shots of other stuff if you are interested in seeing. I don't consider myself a pro but I am not a beginner either.
Photography is light, to state the obvious, without light the camera would pick up nothing, just like in total darkness, either do our eyes!
It's all the skill in using the ISO, shutter speed, flash on or off, F stop number and angle as to how good our photos are isn't it?
It's all the skill in using the ISO, shutter speed, flash on or off, F stop number and angle as to how good our photos are isn't it?
You have to think of it this way.
you are not photographing an object...it doesnt matter if its and animal , fish or chair.
You are photographing the LIGHT falling on the object.
You are actually taking a picture of the light
flash is just a different form of light. Thats it.
In general...it usually will be easier to photgraph with flash ( doesnt mean better)
Just becasue the flash is much brighter. The camera can use a faster shutter speed and a smaller aperature. Means sharper image, and better motion-stop.
I usually experiment with much brighter bulbs if Im not using flash.
It helps a lot.
Also, all light sources are a different color temp.
flash is MUCH cooler than a traditional incandescant bulb.
Now there are also many different bulbs. Some say "daylight"...soft white,
full-spectrum.
The best thing you can do it try a bunch of stuff...and make sure to write down what you try. ( Distance from camera to tank, angle...all that stuff.)
Then when you get a style you like. Repeat it as closely as you can.
you are not photographing an object...it doesnt matter if its and animal , fish or chair.
You are photographing the LIGHT falling on the object.
You are actually taking a picture of the light
flash is just a different form of light. Thats it.
In general...it usually will be easier to photgraph with flash ( doesnt mean better)
Just becasue the flash is much brighter. The camera can use a faster shutter speed and a smaller aperature. Means sharper image, and better motion-stop.
I usually experiment with much brighter bulbs if Im not using flash.
It helps a lot.
Also, all light sources are a different color temp.
flash is MUCH cooler than a traditional incandescant bulb.
Now there are also many different bulbs. Some say "daylight"...soft white,
full-spectrum.
The best thing you can do it try a bunch of stuff...and make sure to write down what you try. ( Distance from camera to tank, angle...all that stuff.)
Then when you get a style you like. Repeat it as closely as you can.
Old thread, but definitely still relevant. Lighting is everything in fish photography. The typical lights on your tank simply aren't strong enough to take great pictures with. Sure, the skill of photographer is important, but the quality of my pictures jumped dramatically just by adding an external flash. Sometimes you do need to give your equipment some credit.
Im a super newbie but can I use external flash for a point and shoot camera? Or is it better to use bulbs?
stevie I angry my best pics were taken during the day but the con is that you'll get alot of reflection...
I just take a whole lotta pics and keep the few that actually look good. lol I make up for lack of skill by sheer volume. some of my best pictures were complete accidents. Now what would you all recommend as a place to start learning more about improving my photography? I dont mean a school but maybe a book or something online? Also a good, inexpensive camera thats advance enough for me to learn and improve?
