I've noticed that many people ( CERTAINLY NOT ALL) are having problems taking good shots of their fish.
They always apologize for the bad pics.
I think many people could get better pics with a few adjustments to their technique, so I wanted to share a few tips that might help.
First a disclaimer: I'm NOT a photographer, I'm NOT an expert on digital photography, I'm NOT trying to insult anyone's intelligence- I know very well that there are many people who take better pics than me and understand all the fundamentals of photography much better than I do.
This thread is for the people with medium or low grade Digitals who just use the automatic settings and want to get a few decent shots of their beloved fish. Also, these tips are for Individual fish shots, whole tank shots are pretty easy , and not really a problem for most people.
My camera is a Kodak easyshare DX6340 ($175.00)
1. Use the close up mode : many times when you're trying to get a close up shot, your automatic focus can't adjust properly adjust unless you're in the close up mode. This is usually a picture of a Flower on your dial or settings.
2. Use the flash : even if your tank is brightly lit, the light is not at the right angle for detailed shots. Go to your flash settings and use fill flash, red eye, or force your flash to be on somehow. This will give much better color and detail, and will help "freeze" moving fish.
3. Get very close to the Tank : Get right up close to the Tank, within 6 inches and shoot at a slight angle to the glass. This will keep the focus within range (in Close up mode ) and reduce any glare from the flash reflecting off the tank. Use your zoom to frame the fish properly.
4. Clean the glass/acrylic before taking the shots: Better detail and color will mean that algae/watermarks/scratches will show up much better too.
5. Remember to focus the shot: sometimes your autofocus will focus on the wrong thing. Usually you can hold your button in halfway and it will refocus. Do this and move the camera slightly until it focuses sharply on the fish then shoot.
6. Take lots of Pics: Professional Photographers will often use up many rolls of film just hoping for one or two good pics. You can use this technique also. Take many many shots at a time and hopefully you'll get at least one good pic you can use. Because of the delay in digitals and the fact that fish often won't pose for long, this is important for good shots.
7. Be Patient: Fish are famously difficult to photograph. Sometimes it takes many shots and a long time to get a good one. I sit with the camera ready and wait for opportunities, then shoot away.
I hope this is somewhat helpful to those fishkeepers who are struggling to get good shots without getting a high end camera. One of the things I love most about this Board is the pics of peoples fish and setups.
Anyone with other tips , let's have them !
I'm including a few shots of my fish made with my cheap Digital Camera.
They always apologize for the bad pics.
I think many people could get better pics with a few adjustments to their technique, so I wanted to share a few tips that might help.
First a disclaimer: I'm NOT a photographer, I'm NOT an expert on digital photography, I'm NOT trying to insult anyone's intelligence- I know very well that there are many people who take better pics than me and understand all the fundamentals of photography much better than I do.
This thread is for the people with medium or low grade Digitals who just use the automatic settings and want to get a few decent shots of their beloved fish. Also, these tips are for Individual fish shots, whole tank shots are pretty easy , and not really a problem for most people.
My camera is a Kodak easyshare DX6340 ($175.00)
1. Use the close up mode : many times when you're trying to get a close up shot, your automatic focus can't adjust properly adjust unless you're in the close up mode. This is usually a picture of a Flower on your dial or settings.
2. Use the flash : even if your tank is brightly lit, the light is not at the right angle for detailed shots. Go to your flash settings and use fill flash, red eye, or force your flash to be on somehow. This will give much better color and detail, and will help "freeze" moving fish.
3. Get very close to the Tank : Get right up close to the Tank, within 6 inches and shoot at a slight angle to the glass. This will keep the focus within range (in Close up mode ) and reduce any glare from the flash reflecting off the tank. Use your zoom to frame the fish properly.
4. Clean the glass/acrylic before taking the shots: Better detail and color will mean that algae/watermarks/scratches will show up much better too.
5. Remember to focus the shot: sometimes your autofocus will focus on the wrong thing. Usually you can hold your button in halfway and it will refocus. Do this and move the camera slightly until it focuses sharply on the fish then shoot.
6. Take lots of Pics: Professional Photographers will often use up many rolls of film just hoping for one or two good pics. You can use this technique also. Take many many shots at a time and hopefully you'll get at least one good pic you can use. Because of the delay in digitals and the fact that fish often won't pose for long, this is important for good shots.
7. Be Patient: Fish are famously difficult to photograph. Sometimes it takes many shots and a long time to get a good one. I sit with the camera ready and wait for opportunities, then shoot away.
I hope this is somewhat helpful to those fishkeepers who are struggling to get good shots without getting a high end camera. One of the things I love most about this Board is the pics of peoples fish and setups.
Anyone with other tips , let's have them !
I'm including a few shots of my fish made with my cheap Digital Camera.
It did for me!!