How do you guys adjust white balance when photographing your tanks

[dpmatty]

I see some great tank photos on here and, even though I'm a photographer, I'm having a bit of a hard time getting the look right.

I have two T5 actinics and two 250w, 20,000k MH lights. I can't seem to find the right white balance setting for shooting these digitally. If I balance to 20,000k it doesn't look right. I have been able to get a close approximation in post, however I'd like to pin down a formula for producing these shots.

Also, if there are any other photographers here, do any of you use studio strobes when shooting? I read an article on this in one of the Reefing magazines and I was surprised. I have some pretty powerful studio strobes and would think that might mess with the fish, but apparently not?

 

[Ohiomom]

you might get a better response in the photography forum..just an fyi..not sure if you noticed it..

 

[dpmatty]

I didn't know there was one! DOH!

Should I repost or ask a mod to move it? I don't yet know the etiquette of this board.

I will repost and the mods can feel free to delete this thread.

 

[jubjub]

really depends on what program your using....if you use gimp its just under color/auto/white balance....

if ya got a cool camera like i have (nikon d5000) then camera does it automatically for you.. lol

 

[Wreck_Diver]

I have not taken too many pic of my tank yet, being that I just set it up but, I do do a lot of underwater photography. What I do underwater is I use the manual white balance setting on my camera and I calibrate it to a white card that I bring down with me. I'm not sure how this will work not underwater but its worth a shot.

 

[dpmatty]

really depends on what program your using....if you use gimp its just under color/auto/white balance....

if ya got a cool camera like i have (nikon d5000) then camera does it automatically for you.. lol

I use Aperture and Lightroom for raw conversion and CS4 for post work. I have some really cool cameras (Nikon D2x, D3x, Maymia & Hasslblad medium format and rent digital backs for projects). Even so, auto wb sucks.

I put a chart in the tank and shot it. So far I think my best reading on processing a raw file for accurate color reproduction in my tank is to adjust to 50,000k with a 20 degree tint. Controlling dynamic range is still a ***** though... But I'm getting closer. I'm going to try setting up my studio strobes around the tank and see how that goes.

 

[dpmatty]

I have not taken too many pic of my tank yet, being that I just set it up but, I do do a lot of underwater photography. What I do underwater is I use the manual white balance setting on my camera and I calibrate it to a white card that I bring down with me. I'm not sure how this will work not underwater but its worth a shot.

That's exactly what I did. I put a chart in the tank and shot it.

 

[dc]

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