Help me improve my photography skills? (image heavy)

[psimitry]

These are some of the shots I've taken over the last year or so I've had my tank. Some I like, some I don't Some I'm sure are terrible.

I'll let y'all be the jury.

Here's what I'm asking (and hopefully you guys will be AWESOME and indulge me on this):

If you could, would you mind picking my best pic, mention what you like about it and what I could do to improve either it or my other shots. Also - feel free to rip on them as much as you want as long as the criticism is constructive (I can take being told I'm a terrible photographer... as long as I can be given advice on how to become a better one).

Please?

For the record, right now I'm using a rather unimpressive Olympus point & shoot mounted on a basic tripod. Sadly my budget is pretty much wrapped up in my tank so a better digital camera isn't likely any time soon.

Anyway, here's the pics!

#1:

#2:

#3:

#4:

#5:

#6:

#7:

 

[psimitry]

LOL - just reading the text above, I realized that it sounds like I'm asking y'all to do some sort of photography final for me.

Though perhaps I SHOULD take a photography course, I'm actually just seeking some advice on shots and what not.

 

[jwedehase]

My favorite is #4. For me, the biggest single improvement most people can make is a isolation of the subject. Make the subject stand out from everything else. This can be done with contrast, color, focus, or whatever. The point is to make it obvious exactly what the subject is. Simplification of the photo helps dramatically, also.

So, in the anemone (?) photo the subject is in focus, while the background is not. Additionally, there are some nice flowing stripes (leading lines) that lead your eye up to the top. Because of these factors, your eye is automatically drawn right to the tips of the anemone. Focus was missed just slightly, but it's close.

Then there are all the "standard rules of aquarium shooting." Shoot exactly perpendicular to the glass so you don't get distortion. Use the timer and tripod (except on active fish). Underexpose by a couple of stops, then bring the brightness back in your image editing software. This helps reduce such high contrast, as well as potential oversaturation issues.

Hopefully that gives you a place to start.

 

[Blazer88]

Great advice! I was thinking many of the same things that were mentioned. It seems that you are using a flash on some of the pictures, try bringing the E/V down a bit to get a faster shutter speed. That will allow you to take better pictures of the fish and not use the flash which can wash out the natural colors. I also like the last picture because of the contrast, though it seems a little over exposed.

 

[VoidRaven]

I'd say that with the equipment that you described you've done a very good job! I can't get pics like that yet with my gear, but that's just because I'm WAY out of practice. Got lazy

I like #1, 2, and 4.

jwedehase offers some sound advice. You should also check out this link if you have not already (special thanks to GHO for putting these awesome lessons together):

http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html