Dr Foster/Smith Divers Den Photos

[Stolireef]

Let's start with the idea that I'm not bashing this sponsor. I have purchased divers den items and they arrive perfectly packed and very healthy.

That said, I don't think the colors in their photos are accurate. First, they are just too vivid. I've seen enough TOTM's in person to know that the colors on the sight are just too intense. Second, if you look at the crushed coral background, it appears that either they have enhanced the colors using software or they are running some very purple lights.

Is it possible that the lights under which the photos are taken cause the photo coloration? Would just using actinics cause this coloration?

Just want to get some feedback on this.

 

[f3honda4me]

They have posted exactly what lights they take the photos under. And I'm sure they edit the photos a bit, even if to at least color balance. I don't see anything wrong with it. There isn't a single form of advertising today in which you see the raw images.

 

[d2mini]

I'm a photographer and I can tell you flat out that it's nearly impossible to get a shot straight out of the camera that is accurately color balanced. The spectrum of reef tank lighting really does a number on our cameras. The sensors just can't handle it. So color correction is necessary. Then add in the fact that their lighting is most likely different than yours. And then there's your computer monitor adding yet another variable. So ya... expect some differences. But overall, I've found their pics to be fairly accurate.

 

[wireefman]

every online source, does some sort of tweaking of their items... why this topic even needs to be brought up is beyond me.

 

[snorvich]

every online source, does some sort of tweaking of their items... why this topic even needs to be brought up is beyond me.

I agree. In any case it is virtually impossible to match photographically what the eye sees if for no other reason than your lights and their lights will not be identical.

 

[psteeleb]

I've bought from them many times and have to say I always got what I expected. From pictures I would say they are very close when comparing their system lights to mine. I suspect they have MH's and a good digital SLR, where I have T5's & LEDs and a video camera so I would expect their pictures to be brighter and more intense. Here is a recent comparison on a coral I got from them about 2 weeks ago

this was taken with my video camera the day after I got it

 

[Bigcefa]

I think there pictures are very accurate much better than most sites

 

[Stolireef]

Fair enough. Its why I asked. My sense is that they are a good source so as I noted, not bashing. That said, it would be interesting to see the place in person. Time to use some frequent flier miles.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[OregonReefer2]

I've found the pics fairly accurate.

However, I have no doubt the critters are cut-paste on a stock background and they only have 2...

The out of focus sand for anything other than fish (even things like the uber healthy and eating BTA?) and the sand/rock wall for the fish (if you look close on the fish pics it's very apparent)

 

[pledosophy]

I know the person who takes these photo's. have for years. I can promise you when she and I talked we spoke of the ways to most accurately represent the true color of the livestock. They are not juicing up there photo's.

Unless you have calibrated your screen (which some of us do daily) and are in a neutral environment (which some of us have had to actually build) then you screen and surrounding lighting is going to change the color of the images. Blaming someone else for your lack of experience in this field is ignorant.

I'm a photographer and I can tell you flat out that it's nearly impossible to get a shot straight out of the camera that is accurately color balanced. The spectrum of reef tank lighting really does a number on our cameras. The sensors just can't handle it. So color correction is necessary.

15 years in the industry, and you are flat out wrong on this. You just need to learn how to use your camera better. I have had 160 or so clients in the last week, which is common for me. Accurate color pays my mortgage. We have to do it in camera shot right the first time with no post. That is the difference between being a professional photographer and well, whatever it is you do.

I've found the pics fairly accurate.

However, I have no doubt the critters are cut-paste on a stock background and they only have 2...

The out of focus sand for anything other than fish (even things like the uber healthy and eating BTA?) and the sand/rock wall for the fish (if you look close on the fish pics it's very apparent)

So obviously you have never used a macro lens. Using your ignorance to place blame on a seller is ridiculous.

A macro lens by design has a very shallow depth of field. They are not shooting at F45 (I know for sure because I know the camera she uses and it does not have this range) and using externaly lighting to pump up the flas so of course anything is going to have an out of focus backround, just like EVERYTHING ELSE SHOT WITH A MACRO LENS.

Reading a thread where people are flaming a good person after I know how hard she tries to make everything accurate and using there own lack of knowledge as justification is not humorous to me. The lack of respect for the knowledge behind what transpires is not surprising. It seems to be common place that people know 3% and are suddenly experts.

 

[snorvich]

Fair enough. Its why I asked. My sense is that they are a good source so as I noted, not bashing. That said, it would be interesting to see the place in person. Time to use some frequent flier miles.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

They used to have a yearly open house/frag swap event that is worth frequent flier miles. But the rest of the year, I do not believe that they do tours; their retail store is open, however.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Reading a thread where people are flaming a good person after I know how hard she tries to make everything accurate and using there own lack of knowledge as justification is not humorous to me. The lack of respect for the knowledge behind what transpires is not surprising. It seems to be common place that people know 3% and are suddenly experts.

It is true, however, that they and most other online places use far bluer light than many reefers, and they photograph from directly above, and folks should understand that things may not look even close to what they see once in their tank.

To their credit, Divers Den states how they photograph and most do not, but it still leads to disappointments.

 

[Palting]

every online source, does some sort of tweaking of their items... why this topic even needs to be brought up is beyond me.

I disagree. I think it is an excellent topic, one that every aquarist should be aware of. Most of the expereinced people know this, but a lot of the newer ones and some of the experienced one's don't. THE PICTURES OF CORAL FOR SALE ON WEBSITES DO NOT REFLECT THE TRUE COLOR OF THE CORAL WHEN YOU HAVE THEM IN YOUR TANK. This should be in bold capital letters at the top of any website, Diver's Den included, not tucked away in some obscure corner somewhere, or totally absent and just lay the blame on the hapless buyer for not knowing any better. True, they have to color correct for the camera inadequacies, and DD in particular will tell you under what lights the picture was taken. BUT, even the color of the substrate is not real. So, CAVEAT EMPTOR! Buyer Beware, or at the very least, BE AWARE.

 

[ken55]

And then there's your computer monitor adding yet another variable.

I never thought about that before but it makes sense. If I move just a few inches off center my monitor colors appear to "change". And I'm quite sure that my monitor is different from many others. My wifes laptop seems to be more vivid than this one and they are both the same brand name.

This could easily explain why we are all looking at the same picture but seeing subtle differences. Perhaps this is the biggest variable of all.

 

[d2mini]

15 years in the industry, and you are flat out wrong on this. You just need to learn how to use your camera better. I have had 160 or so clients in the last week, which is common for me. Accurate color pays my mortgage. We have to do it in camera shot right the first time with no post. That is the difference between being a professional photographer and well, whatever it is you do.

Ok, I'm all ears. Put your money where your mouth is.
Let's hear how you get your DSLR to get the colors of your corals to look exactly as they do in real life with no additional lighting, just the tank lights. I'll test it out. PM if you want.

 

[baskin]

I know the person who takes these photo's. have for years. I can promise you when she and I talked we spoke of the ways to most accurately represent the true color of the livestock. They are not juicing up there photo's.

Unless you have calibrated your screen (which some of us do daily) and are in a neutral environment (which some of us have had to actually build) then you screen and surrounding lighting is going to change the color of the images. Blaming someone else for your lack of experience in this field is ignorant.



15 years in the industry, and you are flat out wrong on this. You just need to learn how to use your camera better. I have had 160 or so clients in the last week, which is common for me. Accurate color pays my mortgage. We have to do it in camera shot right the first time with no post. That is the difference between being a professional photographer and well, whatever it is you do.



So obviously you have never used a macro lens. Using your ignorance to place blame on a seller is ridiculous.

A macro lens by design has a very shallow depth of field. They are not shooting at F45 (I know for sure because I know the camera she uses and it does not have this range) and using externaly lighting to pump up the flas so of course anything is going to have an out of focus backround, just like EVERYTHING ELSE SHOT WITH A MACRO LENS.

Reading a thread where people are flaming a good person after I know how hard she tries to make everything accurate and using there own lack of knowledge as justification is not humorous to me. The lack of respect for the knowledge behind what transpires is not surprising. It seems to be common place that people know 3% and are suddenly experts.

 

[baskin]

It didn't seem like anyone was flaming divers den or anyone to me. Everyone should be be able to express there opinion without being attacked.

 

[shaggss]

It didn't seem like anyone was flaming divers den or anyone to me. Everyone should be be able to express there opinion without being attacked.

+1 just a simple question was asked. no flaming at all.

pled I think you have just done what you accused others of doing!

 

[Stolireef]

Wow. Now I feel like a troll. As noted in my op, I admit my inexperience with photography and i'm not bashing F&S. i'm certainly not trying to insult the photographer. I am trying to understand the difference between the site photos and what is in the fed ex box, if any. I think I have a better handle on that now. Thanks.

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[Dun Properly]

I know the person who takes these photo's. have for years. I can promise you when she and I talked we spoke of the ways to most accurately represent the true color of the livestock. They are not juicing up there photo's.

Unless you have calibrated your screen (which some of us do daily) and are in a neutral environment (which some of us have had to actually build) then you screen and surrounding lighting is going to change the color of the images. Blaming someone else for your lack of experience in this field is ignorant.



15 years in the industry, and you are flat out wrong on this. You just need to learn how to use your camera better. I have had 160 or so clients in the last week, which is common for me. Accurate color pays my mortgage. We have to do it in camera shot right the first time with no post. That is the difference between being a professional photographer and well, whatever it is you do.



So obviously you have never used a macro lens. Using your ignorance to place blame on a seller is ridiculous.

A macro lens by design has a very shallow depth of field. They are not shooting at F45 (I know for sure because I know the camera she uses and it does not have this range) and using externaly lighting to pump up the flas so of course anything is going to have an out of focus backround, just like EVERYTHING ELSE SHOT WITH A MACRO LENS.

Reading a thread where people are flaming a good person after I know how hard she tries to make everything accurate and using there own lack of knowledge as justification is not humorous to me. The lack of respect for the knowledge behind what transpires is not surprising. It seems to be common place that people know 3% and are suddenly experts.

"You catch more flies with honey than vinegar."