A Work In Progress

[CUNAReefer]

Hello Photographers,

Hope all is well!

I am a complete novice when it comes to taking pics of the tank. The camera I am using is a Canon Rebel T2i. I tried taking a pic of a grey object to adjust the white balance in my tank. I'm not sure if the pics are coming out correctly. They almost look Redish Yellow. Thoughts?

Warmest Regards,
James

[scadsobees]

What did you do different with your lights? The first and last pic look like what most coral pictures look like with the actinics on, the others look like more normal white light.

Everything looks reddish-yellow after staring at the actinics....

[CUNAReefer]

Originally Posted by scadsobees

What did you do different with your lights? The first and last pic look like what most coral pictures look like with the actinics on, the others look like more normal white light.

Everything looks reddish-yellow after staring at the actinics....

I completely agree. Everything does look reddish-yellow after staring at the blue light for so long.

To answer your question, I used a custom white balance setting on my camera to eliminate the super blue lighting. I took a pic of a grey object (1st pic) and used it to set the white balance. I then took the "natural" looking pics with the new white balance setting. After looking at the pics again, they do look much more natural. I'm really liking it.

James

[rhouse24]

That yellowish color is what the camera thinks the tank should look like. And when you think about it, that's how the coral would look in the ocean. Its best to set the wb to a fixed color temp when dealing with our +10k lighting then adjust the temp in post processing if needed. Grey cards tend to make things too realistic.

[CUNAReefer]

Originally Posted by rhouse24

That yellowish color is what the camera thinks the tank should look like. And when you think about it, that's how the coral would look in the ocean. Its best to set the wb to a fixed color temp when dealing with our +10k lighting then adjust the temp in post processing if needed. Grey cards tend to make things too realistic.

Thanks for the feedback, Rob. With the level of blue comming off of my T5s, all of the manual settings looked ultra blue. After looking at the pics some more, I think I really like the natural look. It reminds me of the 6500K Iwasakis (with 2 actinic VHOs and a bent aluminum reflector) I had back in the day. My ORA purple plasma actually looks like the pic on ORA's site.

Warmest Regards,
James

[AYGurgies]

Hi James,
If you need to use another Camera, I have the Canon T3i. You just let me know. I live in Sterling Heights.

Johnny

[CUNAReefer]

Originally Posted by AYGurgies

Hi James,
If you need to use another Camera, I have the Canon T3i. You just let me know. I live in Sterling Heights.

Johnny

Thanks, Johnny! I love the T3i. I kept going back and forth between the T2i and the T3i. I finally settled on the T2i because of my newb-ness. Now that I figured out my white balance, I plan on taking quite a few pics tomorrow when the lights come back on. Since your in Sterling Heights, you will need to come by and see the tank in person. Very few people have seen it. Its more of a machine than a display tank.

James

[AYGurgies]

I would love to see your aquarium brother! Whenever you have time and you're home, you just let me know. Any day after Sunday will be great. And the same with you, if you would like to see my tank, you just let me know and it will be my pleasure.

[CUNAReefer]

And a couple more pics to share. I like the natural look of the coral. It doesn't glow as much as it does in real life, but it does show how the coral would look in their natural environment.

Edit: I have some before and after shots to show 6 weeks of growth

Enjoy!

Hawkins Echinata

8/5/12


Purple Stag

8/5/12


Green Fuzzy Acro and Poke Your Eyes Out Bonsai

8/5/12



Stylophora Collection

8/5/12



ORA Blue Voodoo

8/5/12


Tri Color

8/5/12


Two Variations of Red Planet (Left from Un-Named Reefer and Right from ORA)

8/5/12



Purple and Yellow Acro

8/5/12


Yellow Tort

8/5/12


Blue Tenius

8/5/12



Blue Tort

8/5/12


ORA Borealis

8/5/12


Oregon Tort (Still gaining its blue)

8/5/12


German Blue Digi

8/5/12


Waynes Rainbow

8/5/12


Wet Thumbs Rainbow Nasuta

8/5/12


ORA Soli

8/5/12


Atlantis Red Table

8/5/12


Lucid Props Blueberry Sneeze and Seasons Greetings battling for space

8/5/12

[AYGurgies]

Beautiful!!! So exited to see this machine.

[CUNAReefer]

Originally Posted by AYGurgies

Beautiful!!! So exited to see this machine.

Hi Johnny,

You can swing by this weekend if you have your Saturday or Sunday morning free. Send me a PM with your schedule and I'll make it happen.

James

[flynnstone]

James,
nice pics, if you want to adjust the color at all i have an extra copy of Corel X2 you can have.
here is a pic of yours i adjusted..

[CUNAReefer]

Hi Jeff,

I really like the adjustment. Its almost like the light source went from 6500k to 10000k. The adjustment adds just the right amount of blue. It highlights the colors without the overwhelming blue hue that my original pics have. PM being sent!

James

[clintos]

the half way point between the blue pic and the red/orangish pic, would look pretty sharp.

[CUNAReefer]

Thanks Clintos. Another reefer has been kind enough to offer me some the software that should give just a hint of blue to my pics. Hopefully I can pick up this week so I can begin posting some updated pics.

James