Critique my first aquarium photos

[MargieInAZ]

I would really like some constructive criticism of these photos. They are the first macro shots I've taken, and I just started a new beginner's digital photography class, so I'd like to get suggestions on how to improve my photo skills.
I'm thinking my ISO may be a little high, as the shots appear a bit grainy to me, but really don't know what I should be aiming for.
I'm seriously not looking for praise, I'm looking for tips on improving and learning what makes better photos.
Thanks in advance:

 

[MargieInAZ]

 

[Carlton'sTank]

I think your pictures look very nice. I know glass can be restrictive to getting the really close shots, but for me I love to see macro shots that can capture images that are hard to see with the naked eye. Go for the real close shots of details, or if you are trying to get the whole piece of coral, try to frame the coral accordingly.

 

[Alexander180]

Awesome shots, especially for your first go at it.

 

[IPT]

looking good. Since you've asked...A few things to think about when you take a pictures... what is your subject? Is there anything in the frame (next too it, behind it, etc) that takes away from the subject (out of focus Clown, Cardnails tail overlapping the background coral which also happens to be quite bright (draws your vision to it not your subject) and half cutoff. Is there a better or more interesting angle you can capture? I always try to leave a little breathing room around the subject too so it doesn;t feel crowded (unless your goal is to fill the frame). Look up (if you haven;t learned it already) the "rule of thirds".

The last shot is almost there. Move a little to the left to get the complete subject and keep a little breathing room around it. Then it doesn't feel crowded and you've nailed it. I actually would like to see a lot of space on the left since the tenticals are going that way and I would (figuratively) like to see some space for them to just stretch out into.

Just my .02 cents. Take what you like and ignore the rest

 

[junglejim1022]

Excellent photos for first try.

 

[MargieInAZ]

Thanks everyone.

Overall, I am fairly happy with the images, and I'll work on the composition as you've suggested. However, if anyone can take a look at the technical aspects of the images, (ISO, shutter speed, f-stop, etc.) I'd really appreciate any suggestions you can give me.
I think most of them look good, but the one with the tang and the one with the torch look grainy to me. Does anyone else see that? Maybe it's not as apparent from the photobucket images, but when I pulled the originals up in PhotoShop at 100% they definitely looked grainy.
I know every situation is different, but what are some general ranges that most people shoot in?
Thanks so much.

 

[Recty]

The tang is grainy because you shot at ISO 800.

You could have dropped that down to around 400 probably and slowed down your shutter speed to 1/125th or so and still gotten a good shot without near so much noise in the picture.

As far as ranges go that I normally shoot in, if I'm not doing a flash shot I use f2.8 or one higher, then shutter speed of 1/125th. I adjust the ISO depending on how that works, usually I have to be around 400 for my fish tank.

 

[Bladeslinger]

pics look A LOT better than my first shots.. ur on the right track!

 

[kilroy217]

ISO should be the minimum possible to still get the effect you are looking for. That's for all photography, not just aquarium shots. The tang is definitely grainy - and it's likely because of ISO.

I agree that you should learn some more about the rule of thirds - it made my landscape shots a thousand times better when I was first learning.

Also, for the full shot of the red brain coral, try to raise your f-stop a little higher, to get a better depth of field (maybe f/8?). Seeing a whole coral like that is a great shot, but a little disappointing when the back half is out of focus. You can use a tripod, and use a longer shutter speed, because this is not a moving subject.

Great shots for a first-timer, and keep trying! The more you shoot, the more you'll learn about the intricacies of your camera, and shot selection. In the digital world, there is no cost for film, so just keep clicking away! Bad shots can be erased later.

 

[kilroy217]

Oh, one other thing - a great way to practice and learn is to set up a shot, and take the same shot with many different settings. Set an aperture, and shoot one exposure for each of 5 different shutter speeds. Then set one shutter speed, and shoot 5 different apertures. Later, you can look at them and decide what worked and what didn't. It's a great way to learn what the limitations of your camera are, and what your preferences are. You can do this for aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, exposure compensation, flash settings, etc. etc. etc. The possibilities are endless...

 

[klepto]

great photos - especially for your first try Margie!
You have some nice corals there too!

I second IPT's comments about a little more space around the tentacles and trying to leave some space around subjects- so that you can draw attention to them and not have any distractions.

your exposure looks pretty good to me - are you shooting in auto?

unfortunately jpegs dont retain all of the original colors/information- I believe we aren't seeing the fullness of your colors- especially in your wrasse and first shot. Try upping your saturation in Photoshop to compensate for the loss of information due to compression.

if possible start shooting in RAW format so you will can edit the original pixels in PS Camera Raw.
what camera/lens are you using?

hope this is of some help.

thanks for sharing some of your first close ups!:thumbsup: