New camera

[APISTOBORELLI]

How do I get those amazing shots like the rest of you? My wife got another Kodak EasyShare. This time a C653/6.1MP. This seems to be about as good a shot as I can get.

[APISTOBORELLI]

Here's another example....

[fanaglethebagle]

got anything to stablize with?
Are you using macro setting?
Are you focusing before taking the shot?

[APISTOBORELLI]

No
Yes
Yes

Can't find my tripod, haven't seen it in years.

[fanaglethebagle]

You can just find a book or something to press it against to keep it as stable as possible.

[garyl]

I've got the same problem. I just bought a Canon S3IS (6.1 MP) - You'd think I could take a half-way decent picture, but noooo! I can't do any better than I did with my 5 year old Nikon 885! (It almost makes you think that there might be some sort of skill involved... nah.)


Sigh, but I feel better now...

Gary

[Aquadiva]

OK, here's what I just learned from Minh (this is me) at a meeting recently.

Turn off all flow (this is a big one)
Use a tripod (another big one)
Use macro mode (yet another biggie)
keep camera 90 degrees to glass (glass distorts focus)
oh yea, clean the glass
use the timer on the camera
shoot in raw if you can
take lots of pics

I don't think I forgot anything... :)

Oh yea...practice a lot

[garyl]

Lots of pictures!!!????? But won't that waste all my film?

Doh!:D

Gary

[APISTOBORELLI]

OK, here's what I just learned from Minh (this is me) at a meeting recently.

Turn off all flow (this is a big one)
Use a tripod (another big one)
Use macro mode (yet another biggie)
keep camera 90 degrees to glass (glass distorts focus)
oh yea, clean the glass
use the timer on the camera
shoot in raw if you can
take lots of pics

I don't think I forgot anything... :)

Oh yea...practice a lot

Shoot in raw? My wife will think I'm nuts if I take pictures of the tank while I'm naked.:D (I couldn't resist)

[penguinsix]

I've got the same problem. I just bought a Canon S3IS (6.1 MP) - You'd think I could take a half-way decent picture, but noooo! I can't do any better than I did with my 5 year old Nikon 885! (It almost makes you think that there might be some sort of skill involved... nah.)


Sigh, but I feel better now...

Gary

I have that same camera, and i do wonders with it. I just put the lense right up against the glass and hold the camera still. Of course you need to have the macro or supermacro turned on. Manual focus helps as well. I also fill my 1gb card (about 350 pictures) and maybe 10 will be great, 100 okish and the rest crap.

[APISTOBORELLI]

Josh,

What do you do after taking the pics? What programs do you use to get them looking so good?

[garyl]

Ok,

Here's another try.

I hope this is better.

Gary

[APISTOBORELLI]

That looks good.

[garyl]

And another.

Gary

[garyl]

Last one.

I guess I still need some practice. I have to admit, I followed the instructions that Aquadiva gave and it really helped.

Gary

[garyl]

Penguinsix,

Like Apistoborelli asked, what do you do to the pictures before you post?

Thanks,

Gary

[APISTOBORELLI]

Green Ric

[garyl]

Apistoborelli,

That looks much sharper. Did you use a tripod? I can't figure out how to use one - I just ended up propping a book up next to the tank.

Gary

[APISTOBORELLI]

No tripod. What do you mean, propping a book up?

[garyl]

I just set a book up next to the tank to get the camera high enough for a good picture.

Gary

[penguinsix]

Josh,

What do you do after taking the pics? What programs do you use to get them looking so good?

I only crop my photos in photoshop, no editing. I get my colours using my camera's settings.

[APISTOBORELLI]

Here's the same pic of the Blasto, resized only.

[penguinsix]

Can you manually change the white balance? If so that is the thing to play with.

[APISTOBORELLI]

I really need you to come over and show me what the hell I'm supposed to be doing. :)

[Gina McReeferson]

Tripod, definately.

All of the things that Minh says above is what David always tells me when I break out his camera. I get very frustrated with it when I take pics without the tripod, sometimes I think I'm being sooo steady, then I look at all the pics and they look blurred or not in focus. I don't even bother anymore without the tripod.

-Gina

[garyl]

Gina,

How do you use the tripod? When I set it up on its three legs (I guess that's why they call it a tripod:rolleyes: ) I end up 2 feet away from the glass. How do you get such great macro shots if the camera is 2 feet away from the corals?

Gary

[Gina McReeferson]

I see David has already responded to you about this in our thread in photography.....

-Gina

[jovreef]

Ok... what do you mean keep the camera 90 degree's from glass?!?! Am I just really confused? 90 degree's is "L" I'd be taking pics of the ceiling...

[Gina McReeferson]

Ok... what do you mean keep the camera 90 degree's from glass?!?! Am I just really confused? 90 degree's is "L" I'd be taking pics of the ceiling...

You need to hold the camera perpendicular to the glass. The pictures need to be taken straight on, you should try and avoid taking pictures at an angle to the glass as this may cause distortion.

-Gina

[garyl]

Gee, this is a lot harder than I thought...:D

Gary

[Cheetos]

Gina,

How do you use the tripod? When I set it up on its three legs (I guess that's why they call it a tripod:rolleyes: ) I end up 2 feet away from the glass. How do you get such great macro shots if the camera is 2 feet away from the corals?

Gary

You need a really big lens! :D

[Cheetos]

Ok... what do you mean keep the camera 90 degree's from glass?!?! Am I just really confused? 90 degree's is "L" I'd be taking pics of the ceiling...

Maybe a crazy idea here but how about a reef tank in the ceiling? :eek:
Sorry it's been one of those days!

[Gina McReeferson]

Gina,

How do you use the tripod? When I set it up on its three legs (I guess that's why they call it a tripod:rolleyes: ) I end up 2 feet away from the glass. How do you get such great macro shots if the camera is 2 feet away from the corals?

Gary

Don't spread the legs of your tripod out all of the way, only open them partially and lock them there. The tripod is easier to knock over that way, so be careful.

-Gina

[chief]

your supposed to turn off the flash when you take them right? How about camera pre-settings such as "underwater" pre-setting... would you use that setting or "auto" or stick with manual? i have canon SD550. I would love to know how to play with depth of field but cant find it anywhere. i love the close macro shots with background blurry so only the coral is in focus

[penguinsix]

Don't spread the legs of your tripod out all of the way, only open them partially and lock them there. The tripod is easier to knock over that way, so be careful.

-Gina

Couldn't you also lean the camera up against the tank when you have it on the tripod (kinda like Minh's setup)? It would make it more of a bipod but as long as there are no vibrations on the glass and you use a delay it should be alright.

[MAReefer1]

Couldn't you also lean the camera up against the tank when you have it on the tripod (kinda like Minh's setup)? It would make it more of a bipod but as long as there are no vibrations on the glass and you use a delay it should be alright.

I dont use a tripod or anything, just use my thumb and index finger and place them on the top and bottom at the end of my lense with the rest of my fingers spanned out used for support agaisnt the glass, then I just shoot. I tried using a tripod, but it just restricts me.

[penguinsix]

I dont use a tripod or anything, just use my thumb and index finger and place them on the top and bottom at the end of my lense with the rest of my fingers spanned out used for support agaisnt the glass, then I just shoot. I tried using a tripod, but it just restricts me.

I do the same thing, I haven't used a tripod, but when i do I will try out my idea and see if I can get better images.