Taken Pics of Fish

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Dionysus

Dionysus

Gambusia
MFK Member
May 10, 2007
420
1
16
Wisconsin
Didn't know what area this topic fit, so I put it here.
With all the time and hard work we put into our tanks, and the miles put on our cars going to get that must have fish, nothings better than kickin back on the sofa and taken it in. As I watch my fish do their thing, I'm always thinkin, that would make sweet pic. Since flash isn't really an option, the camera seems to be too slow for the fish, so these "Sweet Pics" turn out blurry.Without and SLR cam, Do you guys have any suggestions how who take photos of your tanks, especially close up shots?
 
Oddly enough, the camera that takes the best pictures of my tank is the one on my N95.
My "real" camera for some reason ends up with blur shots...

But then again thats probably just me and the lack of my skill.
 
When using my non-dslr I always cover the flash with a paper towel to soften it a bit. Then I took the pictures at an angle to try to prevent the flash from showing up. It also seemed to help to angle up a little bit. I got some pretty decent shots using my point and shoot but they don't compare to the shots that I am getting with my dslr.
 
One thing I was told here ages ago about taking pics is to make sure the room is as dark as possible and try to use the light from the tank or other lights.

Seems to work...
 
Angle means everything, try to angle the camera upward to avoid the glare from the glass and to get a better shot less blurred. I try and not to snap pictures till my fish are more "standing still" so it helps the the blurryness.
 
Pretty much tried everything you mentioned, and many times with good results. I never tried covering the flash and leaving flash mode on. That might be the ticket. I'll let you know how it works for me:woot:
 
1) Before you attempt taking pictures clean the glass inside and out
2.)take the pictures at night with all light sources off except the tank
3.)get as much light as you can into the tank add lighting if you can
4.)use the fastest speed your camera has
5.)NO FLASHES it washes out the fishes color.If you can't control the flash put a piece of masking tape over it to diffuse the bright flash.
6.)Press the shutter button half-way down to focus, than all the way down to take the picture. thank you vanimate for this one.
7.)Do not use digital zoom, only optical zoom for really clear pictures
8.)shoot from a tripod
9.)A remote shutter release(if possible for your camera)is best because sometimes presing the shutter can shake the camera
10.)give the camera time to auto-focus... do not rush pictures
11.)let the fish come into your view of the camera,don't chase it down
12.) Plenty of light: The more the better, no matter those are tank lights or top-down flash light. Lighting is the key toward good aquarium photography (actually, apply to all photography cases).
13.) Faster shutter speed: 1/100s and faster is safer, and 1/200s is nearly OK for turning around bichirs.
14.) Smaller aperture size (the larger number): 11 or above (the smaller aperture the larger depth of field).
15.) Top-down external flash light on tank top is good (studio flash light is even better), built-in flash light is not good.
16.) Be patient, and spend more time (you'll get reward).
I mostly use 1/200s~1/250s, F16~22 for aquarium photography (I do setup plenty of lights for the tank)
 
get a really good hıgh resolutıon camera take a pıc from a dıstance, then zoom ın on your computer wıth a programme lıke pıcassa or paınt shop pro, and you get brıllıant qualıty non blurred shots =) thats how ı do ıt. otherwıse just keep tryıng tıl the fısh are stıll whıch ısnt very often
 
Wow, you seem to have spent a good amount of time taken aquarium pics. Very Helpful info. I don't have a tripod, but think I need one, tend to shake camera a bit when pushing shutter button. My aquarium is in a basement so most of my shot have dark background. Only problem is the fastest shutter speed mode (1/1200 ect.) on my Canon requires flash or alot of light. I have found adding an extra bulb does help, so maybe once my HO lighting is in, and I have my tripod, I'll be on my way!
Sure is exciting when you get that perfect shot, isn't it....
 
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