A new photo project for me today...I set out to get a specific pose from the large male Midas. In particular i wanted to get a fast aggressive turn...hopefully with the mouth open. WIth my photos I try to not only get the shot, but also try and control the photo....the fish's pose. Not always possible, but when you have one of these large CA cichlids, a little finger wiggling and hand mirror action can help seal the deal. So I set up the shot like this: Flash on top and bottom. A small kicker flash to the left and right, pointing slightly up to help fill in the bottom of the fish.
The camera was on a tripod. The camera was prefocused on a select spot in the tank. I used a 105m macro lens. This is important. When you use a camera with a shorter focal length, the depth of field is also affected since you have to move in closer to get the photo. When you shoot at a longer FL (105 is my workhorse) the depth of field (how much is in focus) is deeper. SO on the pre-focused area, more in front and behind the fish is in focus. I don't have to worry about focus. I used a remote trigger and shot both head on to the tank and from below. Here's the final shot first.
Here's the others. The key here is that I was able to duplicate that pose dozens of times. The trick... was to use the hand mirror to lure him to the left or right...then just simply reverse direction quickly and drop it to take the photo. LOL He's VERY predictable.
And here's his bad self from the side.
The camera was on a tripod. The camera was prefocused on a select spot in the tank. I used a 105m macro lens. This is important. When you use a camera with a shorter focal length, the depth of field is also affected since you have to move in closer to get the photo. When you shoot at a longer FL (105 is my workhorse) the depth of field (how much is in focus) is deeper. SO on the pre-focused area, more in front and behind the fish is in focus. I don't have to worry about focus. I used a remote trigger and shot both head on to the tank and from below. Here's the final shot first.
Here's the others. The key here is that I was able to duplicate that pose dozens of times. The trick... was to use the hand mirror to lure him to the left or right...then just simply reverse direction quickly and drop it to take the photo. LOL He's VERY predictable.
And here's his bad self from the side.
