Calling Photography Nerds

[LKemp712]

I recently purchased a Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR Black 16MP Digital Camera, 30x Optical Zoom in hopes of taking AMAZING aquarium photos but I cannot figure out the settings to do so. Is there anyone out there that can point me in the right direction?
Yes, i have read articles but I don't understand them. I need the simple-stupid version.

 

[Misled]

First, so you understand, most of your pics will end up bluish. Your camera doesn't shoot in RAW so you can't really do a correct White Balance adjustment. You may be able to select a WB setting high enough or program one but otherwise a flash may help. You are going to have to look in your manual to figure out how to make adjustments. You also want a tripod. Look if the camera has a macro setting. Put that on if it does, might look like a flower icon. Next you need to know where and how to adjust the shutter speed. You need to be fast when shooting fish, not so much with corals. A lower f-stop will give you a deeper focus but will need more light. You can raise the ISO but be careful, it will make pics more grainy the higher you go. Read your manual.

 

[Ssteve]

From the looks of it that camera shoots raw. I think instead of expecting AMAZING results from a camera, you should start reading on photography and learn what might give you the results your looking for. A camera doesn't take amazing pictures, just like a kitchen doesn't make amazing food, or a carpenters tools don't build amazing homes. Personally I would return the camera, get a nice little canon, nikon, or sony slr or newer mirrorless camera package with tripod and remote for your shutter. Grab a nice little macro lens and start reading on potn, Fred Miranda and dpreview

Also try getting Adobe Lightroom on your computer and watch lots of YouTube tutorials.

 

[Fishy 1]

From the looks of it that camera shoots raw. I think instead of expecting AMAZING results from a camera, you should start reading on photography and learn what might give you the results your looking for. A camera doesn't take amazing pictures, just like a kitchen doesn't make amazing food, or a carpenters tools don't build amazing homes. Personally I would return the camera, get a nice little canon, nikon, or sony slr or newer mirrorless camera package with tripod and remote for your shutter. Grab a nice little macro lens and start reading on potn, Fred Miranda and dpreview

Also try getting Adobe Lightroom on your computer and watch lots of YouTube tutorials.

I agree, it the person that operates the camera and not so much the camera its self. But since you've got the camera you might as well learn to use it. Get your self a tripod and track down the macro or close up mode. Then a just the white balance. Just play around with the setting's and learn to use the camera to get the best shots, good luck
I have a fujifilm finepix s4500 and love it to peices, can't seem to put it down (its on my lap right now I fact ).

 

[IslandCrow]

My camera has an "Awesome Visuals" mode, which is guaranteed to take pictures that make Ansel Adams look like a 3rd grader with Mickey Mouse Funtime Camera (I'm going to assume that's a real thing). As a matter of fact, my camera all sorts of modes that make spending hours learning about photography completely pointless. For instance, there's a "P" mode for "Perfect Pictures", a Tv mode for "Totally awesome Visuals" (similar to Av), and "B" for "Blow your mind!". . .use this last mode at your own risk.

I'd strongly recommend throwing your camera away and buying one like mine instead. Don't listen to these other guys. They don't know what they're talking about.

 

[Misled]

You bought one of these didn't you??

 

[snorvich]

Wow!!! /\

 

[LKemp712]

Thanks all, your advice is appreciated.

 

[IslandCrow]

You bought one of these didn't you??

Yeah, you know, I had an extra 40 Gs burning a hole in my pocket and decided, "what the hell, I could use something to take snapshots of the fish." That model's waterproof, right? I sure hope so, but it doesn't seem to be turning on now, and there's a strange burning smell coming from it.