How to take good fish pictures? - Aquarium Advice

JeffNebraska · 07-15-2003, 08:31 PM

If one has an auto-focus digital camera without too many bells and whistles, is there a secret to getting it to focus on your fish and not on your glass? I feel like I'm batting about .500 at this point.

Thanks.

fishfreek · 07-15-2003, 08:46 PM

with a digital camera if you have 1 good pic in every 2 then that seems like a good ratio to me.

Really alot of us take LOTS of pics and only keep a small handful of the 'gems'. This is one of teh wonders of a digital camera.

One thing to make sure you observe is the min focual lenght of your camera. Some are as distant as 6" and others are as close as 1" or less. This minimum lenght is how far away the camera must be from the object to properly focus. Getting to close will always turn out in a bad photo.

You can get more helpful hints in our Show Off forum.

P,s, please share some of your good photos we love to look at peoples tanks.

shawmutt · 07-15-2003, 10:52 PM

The glass must be immaculate. Anything on it at all will ruin the focus, so scrub the inside with a sponge (always first) and wipe the outside with glass cleaner. Then try to reduce any outside light, any reflections will also ruin the pic. I wait until nighttime to take my pics. If you use a flash, take the picture at an angle to avoid seeing the reflection in your pic. Other than that, remember digital pics don't cost anything to take, so take as many as you want!

littlelouie · 07-15-2003, 11:30 PM

Check your camera manual for the camera specifications for the focus distance.

e.g. My Kodak DC215
Wide: 1.6ft (0.5m) to infinity
Telephoto: 3.28ft (1.0m) to infinity
Macro or Close-up: 8 inched (0.2m)

Also, try to stay around the tank practicing angles etc and the fish will get used to you being around (try not to make any sudden movements).

Once you have a few photos, choose the best one and crop it (take out unwanted areas).

Louise

tkos · 07-16-2003, 07:09 AM

My camera has a burst mode. So often I set it to such a mode and just press the shutter release button and go. One of those pictures has t turn out.

reefrunner69 · 07-16-2003, 08:38 AM

Check out this thread for some more tips

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=4783

07-15-2003, 08:31 PM	#1
JeffNebraska Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Berkeley, CA Posts: 64 Images: 7	How to take good fish pictures? If one has an auto-focus digital camera without too many bells and whistles, is there a secret to getting it to focus on your fish and not on your glass? I feel like I'm batting about .500 at this point. Thanks.

07-15-2003, 08:46 PM	#2
fishfreek Aquarium Advice FINatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 971 Images: 82	with a digital camera if you have 1 good pic in every 2 then that seems like a good ratio to me. Really alot of us take LOTS of pics and only keep a small handful of the 'gems'. This is one of teh wonders of a digital camera. One thing to make sure you observe is the min focual lenght of your camera. Some are as distant as 6" and others are as close as 1" or less. This minimum lenght is how far away the camera must be from the object to properly focus. Getting to close will always turn out in a bad photo. You can get more helpful hints in our Show Off forum. P,s, please share some of your good photos we love to look at peoples tanks. __________________ Remember dont tap the glass, your fish will think you're an idiot -Anonymous mother Check out our articles area. 30+ Aquatic articles for your enjoyment Are you in or around the Shenandoah Valley area? If so click here to join our regional forum. Looking for affordable web hosting? Look no more We have the answer Learn more about Coral Reef Conservation. Free photo hosting

07-15-2003, 10:52 PM	#3
shawmutt Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greencastle, PA Posts: 2,050 Images: 6	The glass must be immaculate. Anything on it at all will ruin the focus, so scrub the inside with a sponge (always first) and wipe the outside with glass cleaner. Then try to reduce any outside light, any reflections will also ruin the pic. I wait until nighttime to take my pics. If you use a flash, take the picture at an angle to avoid seeing the reflection in your pic. Other than that, remember digital pics don't cost anything to take, so take as many as you want! __________________ ~Mike Shaw Shawmutt.com. Blogs and Pictures of the Massively Multiplayer Offline game, Real Life.

07-15-2003, 11:30 PM	#4
littlelouie Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2003 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 225 Images: 9	Check your camera manual for the camera specifications for the focus distance. e.g. My Kodak DC215 Wide: 1.6ft (0.5m) to infinity Telephoto: 3.28ft (1.0m) to infinity Macro or Close-up: 8 inched (0.2m) Also, try to stay around the tank practicing angles etc and the fish will get used to you being around (try not to make any sudden movements). Once you have a few photos, choose the best one and crop it (take out unwanted areas). Louise __________________ >)))> Knowledge = Keeping my fish alive<(((<

07-16-2003, 08:38 AM	#6
reefrunner69 Aquarium Advice Freak Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 311 Images: 109	Check out this thread for some more tips http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=4783 __________________ Kevin Visit Nature Coast Photography Join the Central Florida Aquarists Regional forum or the Southeastern States Aquarists Regional Forum or the N. FL (North Florida Hobbyists) Regional Forum!

07-16-2003, 07:09 AM	#5
tkos Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 1,423	My camera has a burst mode. So often I set it to such a mode and just press the shutter release button and go. One of those pictures has t turn out.

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