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Tips on takin pics

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blue camera canopy coral corals feeding lighting lights macro photos problem questions red stand tank tanks top zoas
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SIR PATRICK

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Got a few questions. When taking a pic should the room lights be on or off, flash or no flash, if the water level in the tank is low does it make a difference in the pic quality or should the water be up to the rim, and why do some pics show zoas a different color than what they are in the tank?
 
#2 ·
You should turn off all the lights or those near the tank, you should turn your flash off, I don't think that water level really has an effect on the quality of the photos and the last one is a good question
 
#3 ·
Digital sensors don't "See" like we do, mostly they are fooled by the lighting spectrum we use in our tanks. Remember the cameras are brought to market to best reproduce colors under the most common lighting conditions, that is why only the higher end models have the ability to set a custom white balance and correct for the lights we use. MOst consumers would just get confused and think the camera was broken... I hope that helps!
 
#4 ·
If its digital and high quality, you can take the pic with the lights off and the flash off. The flash always has to be off when taking pictures of a tank because the flash will bounce off the glass and you'll just get a white blur. If your taking pictures with a film camera, you can do it with either the lights on or off if you have a light meter, but flash once again has to be off. Glass or mirrors with a flash are evil.
 
#5 ·
I take pictures with flash when needed. With running 14k's and I used to run 20k's, the coral in the pics usually came out blue looking. I've taken some night shots using flash to get shots of corals feeding. You just have to take the picture at an angle so it doesn't bounce off the glass. Or stand high pointing down and the flash hits off the canopy top instead of the glass.
 
#6 ·
Yup flash can be used, but care must be taken. Pay attention to the old angle of incidence = angle of reflection rule! Also taking pictures at angles to the glass will eliminate the reflection problem, but MAY introduce distortion from refraction.
 
#7 ·
Great stuff.

Turn off pumps
You may want to switch to macro mode, some cameras have it but you must be closer than 12".
Try different angels to eliminate glare, distortion, reflection.
Photoshopping to get accurate or corrected colors is not a bad thing; just don't over compensate to give those glowing hues you see.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Thx 4 the replys. So far in all my pics I have posted lately I have used the flash But at an angle. Have also taken them with most of the room lights off. Will turning the lights on the tank off and using the flash help get the normal colors? All my zoas are very diferent but alot look the same in my pics with the dig cam and the colors look perfect with my cam phone but are very poor quality.
 
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ponyplayin
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