How to take pix of fish in manual mode?

[Newreeflady]

I'm working with one of these beefed up cameras, not slr, but with optional manual mode. I don't really know much about using the f stop. I am just playing with iso until I get enough light in, then making shutter speed high because the fish are fast. But, what to do with this f stop thing??

Any other tips?
Thanks!
angela

 

[jacksonpt]

Does it have a shutter priority mode, where you set the shutter speed then the camera sets everything else? That's the easiest way (IME). Set the shutter speed to something like 1/200 and speed it up as necessary depending on how fast/active the fish is.

 

[Newreeflady]

Yes, it has that. I didn't know what it was for, that makes sense. I'll try it later, thanks!

 

[dan10342]

when taking pictures of anything that moves in lower light situations (Where it would require a low shutter speed.... or if i wanted to decrease the size of the aperture to allow greater depth of field, I always move the camera with the subject (in this case a fish) so the subject stays in focus (the rest would be blurry).

A stationary camera taking a photo of a fast moving object, is pretty tough. to get the most crisp photos of your moving fish, is practice moving the camera WITH the fish.

example: extremely fast small yellow tang under lower t5 lighting. no flash. this is my 1 and only fish shot, so its a bit blurry. with practice, you could definitely learn your fish and get very clean shots.

And although not a fish, this is the same deal. fast moving torch coral tentacle.

If you are willing to have flashed shots, using flash would make capturing the fish much easier btw.

 

[pascal32]

fish are tougher than corals for sure. I haven't ventured to fish yet - for corals easiest thing to do is pick aperture priority (controls f-stop which is the amount of light you let in, and ultimately the depth of field - F11 is pretty good for corals) or shutter priority for control of the shutter speed. These two modes are easiest as the camera controls the other aspects in an attempt to take a great picture.

if you go full manual you have to control shutter speed and aperture which can be a handful.

increasing ISO increases sensitivity (can shoot in darker surroundings), however it comes with a price - color intensity, graininess (if there is such a word).

I can point you to some guides for corals, not sure for fish, sorry!

 

[dan10342]

increasing ISO increases sensitivity (can shoot in darker surroundings), however it comes with a price - color intensity, graininess (if there is such a word).

The proper words are saturation and noise.

And actually, moving corals are just as tough as fish are to photograph.

 

[pascal32]

The proper words are saturation and noise.

And actually, moving corals are just as tough as fish are to photograph.

thanks for the clarification. agree on the moving - that's why I turn everything off for pictures. baby steps!

 

[Newreeflady]

This is good stuff, thanks so much guys!

OK, so the f-stop is actually for light gathering. This is what I thought ISO was. I'm a little confused on this difference. What is ISO doing to the picture in order to make the shot brighter if it isn't letting more light in?

Thanks!
Angela