Improved Canon S3 IS Photo(s)

[250G]

Have improved the photo skills with my Canon Powershot S3 IS. Finaly got the custom white balance set to the correct level. A top-down example, no tripod at this hight/angle.

 

[edwing206]

That pic is very nice and clear.

 

[ginrin]

Nic pics. I have the same camera and can't take a decent shot.Could you please post settings Thx

 

[250G]

Thanks. Try Tv (shutter speed priority), ISO 80, and calibrate your custom white balance using a true grey card (18%). This is what the camera'a sensor uses as a reference, not white as indicated in the instruction manual...worked for me.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9756674#post9756674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ginrin
Nic pics. I have the same camera and can't take a decent shot.Could you please post settings Thx

 

[Texas Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9761037#post9761037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 250G
Thanks. Try Tv (shutter speed priority), ISO 80, and calibrate your custom white balance using a true grey card (18%). This is what the camera'a sensor uses as a reference, not white as indicated in the instruction manual...worked for me.

I got this same camera about a month ago and haven't been able to take a pic as good as that yet.
Thanks for posting your settings...I am going to try it tonight.

 

[250G]

Anytime Texas Reef.

I found taking pics from the top-down to be easiest, however I feel using the 18% grey to set the white balance really improved the accuracy of the colors for me (compared to white paper anyway).

Thank you local camera store man!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9766316#post9766316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Texas Reef
I got this same camera about a month ago and haven't been able to take a pic as good as that yet.
Thanks for posting your settings...I am going to try it tonight.

 

[reefman13]

Nice pic
Any chance of more?

 

[IslandCrow]

Very nice!

 

[internetreefer]

Where can I get the Gery card 18%?

 

[250G]

I have a whole bunch of pics you will be seeing very shortly!!! Mainly SPS and zoas.

Your local camera store should have a 18% gray card. As it was described to me, this is the exact color your camera sensor uses to determine white balance, rather than white. They also have this as a filter I believe, but this costs about $120, the gray card (cardboard) costs about $8

 

[reefman13]

Cool, will be waiting for the pics

 

[0p3n Brain]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9770954#post9770954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by internetreefer
Where can I get the Gery card 18%?

You can get them online as well. Here's one of many places:

B&H Gray Card

 

[naka]

Awesome picture! I love your corals.

 

[amcarrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9761037#post9761037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 250G
Thanks. Try Tv (shutter speed priority), ISO 80, and calibrate your custom white balance using a true grey card (18%). This is what the camera'a sensor uses as a reference, not white as indicated in the instruction manual...worked for me.

Hi there. If you don't mind my asking, how/where did you position the gray card when photographing it to set your custom white balance?

 

[0p3n Brain]

The key to using a gray card is to have it under the same lighting as your subject.

 

[amcarrig]

OK, so since I can't get the card in the tank, how would I set it up? And would I use a flash? I don't usually use the flash when taking pics of the tank.

 

[250G]

What I did was sit the gray card on the ledge at the side of my tank, change the settings on my camera to those recommended for setting custom white balance in the instruction manual, and it press the button!

Essentially you want the light from the tank shinning on the card when you set the balance. As I have starphire glass perhaps this helped with more accurate colour. I was pleased with the results. Using auto contrast and auto color in Photoshop now no longer change the appearance of the photo in most circumstances.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9823505#post9823505 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by amcarrig
OK, so since I can't get the card in the tank, how would I set it up? And would I use a flash? I don't usually use the flash when taking pics of the tank.

 

[amcarrig]

Thanks so much for that info. I'll give it a try tonight!

 

[amcarrig]

Sorry to bother you again regarding the white balance/gray card process but I'm not having the best of luck getting my colors right. Can you please let me know (1) how far you had your camera away from the gray card when you photographed it ("physical" distance and focal length), (2) did you shoot the card straight on or did you angle the camera at all, (3) did you use a flash, and (4) was there any other ambient/room lighting in the room that you took the pic of the gray card?

Sorry if these are stupid questions but I'm still an amateur

 

[MIREEFER]

vary nice pic and grate job getting that color rite.