Koi Fish Information Centre

There is a good deal that goes into getting quality photos of fish, whether you use film or digital.
Background is important. You do not want the fish to disappear into the background. You can negate background to some extent by using the f/ stop to give you a lesser depth of field. The lower the number, the less the depth of field. Your focal length also plays a role.
Lighting plays another important role. If you have a built in flash that you cannot turn off, you will probably get less than ideal photos. If you have an onboard flash, you will need to shoot from an angle so that you do not get flashback or glare in the photo. If you need to shoot at an angle, you need a larger depth of field than if you are shooting straight on. You do not want the head to be in focus with a fuzzy tail. The ideal situation is to have strobes that are shooting light from the top and angling in from both sides. Dark backgrounds are best to show off the fish.
A tripod is important. You need it to hold the camera steady. You observe the fish and its swimming pattern, then you set the camera up aiming at a spot the fish is likely to be, hopefully in a relatively short period of time. Focus the camera on the spot. If you have an auto-focus, as noted in another reply, it really does get in the way, so turn it off, if you can. Using a cable release is really the way to go, so you don’t accidently move the camera when pressing the shutter release on the camera.
It is best to use a macro lens, which is a lens that can focus on close objects.
The photo tank’s glass must be clean, very clean.
The water should be crystal clear. No debris floating about.
You will take a lot of photos before you get one you think is good enough to show others. Believe me, you’ll take a lot.
This is just a quick overview of what you need to do.
Here are just a few links, of many, that offer advice on aquarium photography: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i2/aquarium_photography/photo graphy.htm TinyURL for your convenience: http://tinyurl.com/3bo9gs http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/photography_list.php http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=153&topi c_id=4402 TinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/47zkvc
Just Google “aquarium photography” for more (with or without the quotes.
\Steve//

Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society