full tank shots

[pong]

how do u take nice full tank shots?

something like the quality of the ones on the
tank of the month, (of course, my tank is not that nice, but you
get what i mean)

im using a dslr, have a 24-70 2.8, 10-20 4-5.6
and the other is a 70-200 2.8

taking pics of the aquarium is something i for some reason, i couldnt
really get right. so how do you do it?

max aperture and slower shutter?
thanks!

 

[wetWolger]

Some examples might help, that way people can point you to specific flaws (including exif data would be nice)

 

[Tremelle]

For best results turn off your circulation pumps. Turn off all the lights in the room. Also use a tripod.

 

[t0p_sh0tta]

I wouldn't shoot for the max aperture. The majority of lenses are sharpest in the middle of their aperture range (~F7-12).

As recommended, turn off all pumps to prevent motion blur, and use a tripod. If you have enough room, shoot in the 30-50mm range to help cut down on barrel distortion. On the other hand, you could correct it in post processing (you do post-process, right?). Practice makes perfect.

 

[pong]

do you turn off the lights in the room with the tank or keep it on?

 

[LowCel]

do you turn off the lights in the room with the tank or keep it on?

Turn off all of the lights in the room, best to shoot at night in a dark room. Otherwise you will end up with reflections.

 

[sedor]

Also just a little photoshop work goes a long way. I'm not saying enhance the colors of your coral, but I don't think anyone is going to rag on you for removing some debris from the water column and that piece of algae you forgot to scrape off.

A tripod and standing a distance from the tank is the best way to do it. If you can't get back far enough, you may end up having to take multiple pictures of each section of the tank and then stitch them together. Again, this is going to require some photoshop work.