Help me become a PRO!

[Semper Fi 1959]

I need serious help learning how to use this dang camera. I know it's not HIGH end like some of you guys (and gals) use...but it's all I got.

I use a Pentax Optio E40 which is 8.1 megapixels and my corals come out looking like crap. I tried to take pics tonight of a coral shipment I got from LiveAquaria to show everyone what $1000 will get ya, and I just had to delete em all. No coral color, no polyp extention...just crappy pics. There are a TON of settings on this thing, but I don't know which ones to use, how to zoom etc etc. When I DO try to zoom in on a coral, it comes out BLURRY! is this cus I don't have a tripod?

PLEASE HELP!

Unless of course your suggestion is to buy another camera...lol I'd rather spend my $$ on corals/fish/equipment.

 

[BlueCorn]

"Pro" means that someone is paying for your work....

How about you start by posting what you've got and we can try to figure out what you need to work on.

 

[Toddrtrex]

It seems like that camera has a few different presets for white balance, did you try any of the different ones?

 

[latazyo]

some people might disagree, but I say dont bother trying to take handheld shots of aquarium stuff

unless, of course, your camera is cherry at 3200 ISO, then you might be able to

 

[bdepp]

post some photo's up for us to look at Semper Fi 1959. i'm sure we can help

 

[Semper Fi 1959]

Ok, you asked for it! lol

Here is a few, the first few being the ones of the 10 corals from Dr. Fosters and Smith order...they look MUCH better in person. This was only with the T5's on. I guess my biggest complaint is that my colors dont show up right, and I cant zoom in really close like some of you can.

 

[Semper Fi 1959]

 

[Semper Fi 1959]

That last one is the worst. It's a Tyree Ponape frag...and isn't even orange, although the pic makes it LOOK orange. =(

 

[afex]

i would definitely get a tripod.

you don't need an expensive one either (manfroto for example)

you can goto best buy and get a sunpak tripod that keeps your camera still just fine for like $20-$40.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Did you try adjusting the white balance at all?

 

[bdepp]

it looks like the glass is distorting some of the pictures. i would get a tripod aswell to get rid of the camera shake.

if you camera has a macro setting (usually a flower icon) try using that.

 

[Semper Fi 1959]

As I stated earlier...I havent played with ANY of the features. Yes it has a macro setting, but im not even sure what this means/does let alone use it. lol Im sooooo NOT a camera person. Ummm, i havent tried to play with the white setting or whatever you called it. I tried following the instructions on melevs site on how to be a better picture taker, but got lost pretty quick.

im gonna take the advice on the tripod however! I think that will take a lot of the bluriness away.

Does anyone else use this camera? Pentax optio e40 (it was a gift)

 

[Toddrtrex]

I haven't used that camera, but used to have a point and shoot similar to it. The white balance ( yours only has a couple of presets ) will make the color of the pictures look more like it does in real life. Try using each of the presets and see which one is closest to real life. With my old one I used "shade".

 

[bdepp]

from what i can see from this camera this is what i would suggest you try

use the macro function. this will give you the ability to focus in close to the corals your trying to take a shot of.

it also comes with shake reduction, so if you arn't using a tripod, this should asist in getting rid of some of the blur.

I'd try all the white balance settings in the camera and see what comes out best for colours.

hope this might help a little

Depp

 

[Phyl]

Shoot straight through the glass and not on an angle.

Definitely try another WB setting. This is key to getting the colors right. You'll need different settings for your daylight photos v. your actinic photos. My guess is you won't be able to get enough of the blue out on an actinic shot with the camera presets.

When taking close ups use the Macro setting. It will tell the camera to look close for the focal object rather than to look further away.