Hello from Bellingham, WA

[malloc]

Hello,
I've been browsing around the site for a few days now, thought it was about time to register. My gf and I have a 20 gallon FW tank that has been running for about 6 months now. We both had tanks as children, but don't remember anything about them, so we're pretty much new to the hobby (and quite addicted). We've had a bit of a rough start due to the mistake of taking advice from petco employees, but have learned our lesson & now stick to the local fish store & online research (wish I'd known about this site a few months ago). Anyways, happy to be joining the community, and I hope you're prepared for my many many questions =)

 

[Marc118]

Welcome to AA! Ask away hehe.

 

[rich311k]

Welcome to AA!!!

 

[roka64]

WELCOME TO AA!!!

We are glad you are here.

 

[melosu58]

Welcome to AA

 

[malloc]

Thank you! =)

first question... Is there some trick to photographing fish? Everyone is posting great pics of their fish... mine will never hold still & I can't get anything other than a very colorful blur. I have a few nice ones of my snail & african dwarf frog though =P

 

[melosu58]

I have a sports setting on mine that is for moving targets. That is what I use to keep from blurring.

 

[malloc]

I have a sports setting as well, but they always come out *very* dark when I use this setting =(

 

[melosu58]

Mine is dark too if I get away from the tank. I get up close to the tank and take the pics. Check my gallery to see the results.

 

[malloc]

Guess I will just have to experiment with it. Thanks for the tips =)

 

[Zagz]

Welcome to AA! I've been experiementing for 2 years and still don't have a fool proof method of taking fish pics. LOL.

 

[An t-iasg]

Welcome!
Do you have a macro setting on your camera? In most cameras, it looks like a little flower. Put your camera on that setting and get as close to the tank as you can. With my camera, I can almost touch the glass with the lens and I get pretty good pictures a lot of the time.

 

[malloc]

Yes I have tried the macro setting. It works great for the snail & frog, but like I said, the fish always come out quite blurry with it. The biggest problem with the macro is that my camera takes too long to focus & by the time it's done, the fish are long gone. Maybe my gf's camera will work better =)

 

[LandGhoti]

Welcome to AA! This is a great place.

The only thing that helped me take great pics of my fish was investing in a digital SLR. Speed is really the culprit in catching fish movement. I know it can be done with a non-SLR, but it takes all kinds of tinkering with the settings.

 

[malloc]

If only I could afford a DSLR...
Unfortunately I am a poor college student. Well, I guess I can't say I'm poor since I have enough money to take care of a few fish...but...too poor for a nice camera =P