Help and tips on taking Pics.

[Joshporksandwic]

Hi guys, Any tips on taking pics I suck! I have a nikon d5100. 18-55 lens with +5 cheap ebay macro filter. Didn't use tripod. Camera setting of WB set to flash(Tried others but colors look weird), ISO 200/400. 1/50 F from F3.5 to 9.
Used 250w MH 20k, super actinic VHO and reefbrite LED XHO for light all on. Used photoshop lightroom 4 to adjust contrast and on some just did auto correct but dont know how to use very much.
How can I also show all rows in a pic without bluring out?
I tried hundred of pics but they just dont look as good. Read all the stickies but i still suck!!!! please help
Marke & Ek9vboi have helped me a lot but if any you have any tips I greatly appreciate.

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[Joshporksandwic]

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[davidsuli]

Nice frags

 

[clockwurk]

Your challenge is the depth of field. Unfortunately, with macro shots, using a lens or filter, depth of field becomes very shallow. There very little you can do about it without a ton of post production work.

My suggestion is to take off your macro filter, use a tripod, turn off all your pumps and back away from the tank when you are shooting. Set it at aperture priority at F/8 -F/11 ( this is why you need a tripod).

Keep in mind, the closer you are, the less depth of field you will get. So you have to find the sweet spot where you have everything in focus, but you're not so far that will lose detail when you crop it later in photoshop.

Hope this helps.

 

[jc-reef]

Wow pork, you have some sweet frags there!!!

You can look at the Photography Forum and find some really good info on camera settings. The posters are very helpful there!

GL

 

[Joshporksandwic]

JC hmmmm..... I'm comming after your fmas throphy with my sps and iphone SLR lol.
Thanks Clock i will try that been busy with the swap and work will try sunday.
JC come over and show me how to take pics.