Tips for photography aquariums....

[AMAHOGANY53]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering did anyone have any tips on photography aquariums with a point and shoot or any camera really? I want to try and see if I can caputre something special in that setting but I am not sure if it can be done... Any tips would be greatly appreciated. If you have any examples of this type of photo's that you don't mind sharing please do


Thanks

[OsmosisStudios]

Dont use a flash: it'll just bounce off the glass. Chances are the aquarium will be fairly dark, so you'll end up with high ISO (noise) or slow shutter speeds (blur)

[Taallyn]

There are two main issues that I have when photographing something like an aquarium.

First is focusing. The camera may try to focus on the glass in front of your subject. It will depend on how dirty and scratched the glass is. With a P&S, the best I can advice is to take a lot of pictures, and pay attention to the focus points that pop up when you focus before snapping the shutter. Make sure that some of those focus points are actually on your subject rather than all of them scatter everywhere except on your subject.

The second issue that I've had has been lighting. The gallery areas where you stand will be dark. There will likely be some sort of lights in the tanks as well as near the edge of the glass. These can cause unwanted reflections. Additionally, your camera will see all of the darkness around you and want to use the flash. This can cause a bright reflection right in the center of your frame that obscures the subjects in the tank. If you can, turn your flash off. If you can't do that, then get as close to the tank as you can and point your camera at about a 45 degree angle into the tank to the glass. This will cause the reflection to be aimed away from your camera. If you can't get 45 degrees, then any angle off of directly perpendicular will help. Finally, you can also cover the flash with a finger or small opaque object like a folded aquarium brochure.

In general, getting as close to the tanks as you can helps out both of those issues. Even putting the lens flush with the glass can be helpful provided your lens's glass is separated from the tank via a lens hood or such.

Aside from those things also remember to enjoy the exhibits themselves. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in photographing them that we forget to enjoy and learn from them.

Here are a couple shots from my most recent aquarium trip.





Have fun.

[AMAHOGANY53]

Thanks everyone for the tips...


Craig I looked at your work on your website... You photo's are amazing they are very natural looking.... You are an amazing photographer and the subjects you use are just perfect to me.... Do you do photography professional? You should if you don't....Keep clicking.....

[Taallyn]

Amahogany53,

Thank you for the kind words. No, I'm not a professional at least not yet. I can't quite figure out how to turn the sort of photography I do into a viable business. There is not a large mob of people looking for landscape photographers. The "money" is in people and event photography such as weddings, family portraits, etc. That is where I'm weakest at photographically, but is something I do try to improve when I can.

[AMAHOGANY53]

I totally understand where you are coming from.. I love to photograph landscapes and nature of any kind but when people come into play not so sure where I stand on that.... I am just a beginner trying to find my way in photography(LOL) I will start venturing off and try people as my subject just not sure when I will get the chance.... Again thanks for the tips and I will be checking out your site for more great photos.....

[freybear3]

i take alot of photos of my home aquarium. here is what i do -

turn OFF the flash
use MANUAL focus
i use the sports/action shootin mode. i use this mode because the fish are always moving around. i have experimented with all the different shooting types and this is the best one.

i have found out that if you shoot black and white, it turns out pretty well try experimenting with it and see how you like it.

heres one of mine

[Ochman]

Hi Amahogany53,

I love the picture of the big tank with the people in front still properly exposed. Could you share how you took this shot?
If you didn't use flash, how did you meter the shot considering the people are in front of an aquarium? Thanks!

[SusanH1970]

Not sure if I can help you with a point and shoot, but these were taken with my 50mm lens wide open (most at f1.8), high ISO, and exposure compensation -1 stop.

[Ochman]

Thanks susan, I apologize for getting the original poster name wrong.
Yeah, I was asking from the point of view of using a DSLR. Nikon D60 to be specific. Unfortunately I don't have the 50mm F1.8, but I'll open up my 18-55 and bump ISO when I go try this. Important thing is to use a relatively fast shutter to avoid blur, right?
Thanks again.