tips on taking fish shots

[pistolpete]

I spent a lot of time doing underwater photography when I was a diving instructor. Here are some basic tips that apply aquarium fish too.

1) angle of incidence = angle of reflection. so if you point your camera directly at the tank, the flash will bounce off the glass back into your lens. Point the camera at a 30 degree angle to the glass to avoid this.

2) Backscatter is the result of flash reflecting from particles in the water. Looks like snow. Perfectly clean water helps. Shooting with no flash works. With a detachable flash, you need to position the flash about 30 degrees off the camera.

3) composition is vital, try picking an uncluttered background and leave more room in front of the fish than behind.

[blazingazn]

thanks that 30 degree angle tip really helps me.

i agree, if you don't have an external flash and are using a point and shoot, no flash is best.

[gmachine19]

God help you if you have a bowfront hahaha

[IceBlue]

When I shoot at an angle I seem to compress the fish.

[neven]

if the lights are on, and the tank is on a counter top, place black clothing/towels in front of it and next to any bright surface adjacent to your tank, even wood finish will give the glass a glow reducing the quality of the photo

[TheDoctor]

Why not just turn your flash off and adjust your aperture to let more light in. And play with your shutter speed? Of course the lens you use would make a difference too. Just a suggestion.

[neven]

Works great for those with SLRs or mirrorless equivalents, but many are stuck with midrange point and shoots

[TheDoctor]

Works great for those with SLRs or mirrorless equivalents, but many are stuck with midrange point and shoots

That's true. I have seen some fancy point and shoots with these options though.

[neven]

the newer ones aren't exactly point and shoots, they have interchangeable lenses with sensors as big as DSLRs, just no mirrors. Wish i could afford one :P

[Luc]

God help you if you have a bowfront hahaha

I got a good chuckle from that hahaha. And thanks for the tips!