How to - take pics of your tank???

[Laverna]

Every time I have taken a picture of my tank, they have come out terrible! The colors don't seem to come out true and my tank looks like it is completely red! I would appreciate any helpful hints. Take a look at the pic I put in my gallery and you'll see why I am not happy with my photography skills. Thanks! Sissy

 

[RockStarFish]

How to - take pics of your tank???
With a camera lol
Have you tryed with the flash off?

 

[loc01]

What kind of camera are you using? Does it have white balance mode? Try to WB and with flash off will give you a better picture.

Loc

 

[Paul B]

I take all of my pictures with no flash. It makes a big difference. I have some pictures I took where the flash was on by accident and the tank looks terrable. See in this picture the background goes black which is a nice effect and the caves stand out. With a flash, the holes and caves light up and it kills the effect. You could put the flash above the tank but it is not necessary. Also shut off any circulating pumps and clean the glass. Your tank will look great.
Paul

 

[jacksonsmom25]

I didn't think your picture was all that bad. I think mostly that the better the camera, the better the pictures. what kind of camera are you using? picture taking in the dark cuts back on glares.
hth

 

[Laverna]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will give them a try.

I have a Sony Cyber-shot model DSC-F828(8 mega pixels with 7X zoom). Normally, it takes beautiful pictures.

Thanks again, everyone is always so helpful!

 

[Driftwood]

One trick I use is to place the camera lens up against the glass when taking pictures of stuff inside the tank. It keeps the lens from focusing on the glass.

 

[yeame]

I allways take pics with flash on at an angle

 

[smtarr]

Paul B, I notice you have a BEAUTIFUL Moorish Idol. Any tips on picking out and maintaining them? What fish are compatible with them? I planned to turn my 120g drilled tank into a garden reef with Moorish Idol(s) as show fish. What corals are and aren't compatible with Idols. Any tips you can give me will be much appreciated. I've a lifetime of FW experience and several years experience SW. I too am of an age with Viet Nam experience. Sue

 

[Paul B]

Smtarr, there is a thread on here with many pages devoted to Idols. Since you live in Maine you can collect sponges. I collect them here in NY. They are the disguesting mushroom looking stuff that grows on docks and pilings. Moorish Idols love it and sponge is their main diet. I did a lot of diving with them in the South Pacific and thats all that I ever saw them eat. There are a lot of pictures of it in my gallery. Some Idols, like mine do not touch corals while some tear them up. If you decide to buy an Idol, make sure it is eating in the store and see what it is eating. They are not the easiest fish to keep.
I have plenty of Viet Nam experience and you are a year younger them me.
Take care.
Paul

 

[Paul B]

Laverna, one more thing I forgot to mention when you take pictures of your tank. Besides shutting off the flash and stopping the pumps, shut off all the room lights. If it's daylight, wait until night. You just want the lights from the tank. If you can see through the tank to something behind it, put a black cloth or towel behind the tank. It really kills the picture when you can see someone's dog or kids through the tank.
In this picture you just see black above and below the tank but it is really light paneling (since it's built into a wall)

The tank really looks like this with a flash on, (the top is open here) This was for a light post or something. I think it is a terrible picture of the tank but it is good for a demonstration.

 

[Laverna]

Thanks Paul! You are such a great resource!!!