Learning/rebuilding from my epic fail

reefmutt said:
Dom I know you're a twisted guy and when you say hate, you really mean love!
I love you too! ;)
Thanks, man!!
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:lol2::lol2:

You are most definitely a wizard Matt and your tank and pictures are just amazing. The fish shots look bloody gorgeous too, such lovely fish :D The bartletts look amazing!
 
Wally.B said:
Matt,

All YOUR photo's to us Reefer types take our breath away.

As much as we gawk at the macros you captured of beauty of your SPS Corals and notice fine details of the Polyps, Texture and Color of SPS Coral skin, most folks wouldn't know what the picture is of.

However without any doubt, how could anyone Not Notice the Spectacular photo you shared above.
The Beautiful Detailed Wrasse looks suspended is liquid space, frozen in time, yet there is action in the fins of the forward facing fish.
All presented in a backdrop of a multi-colored collage of spectacular corals. Amazing Photo!!

The third Fish Photo is also something else with the beautiful fish in crisp focus while the other colorful fish frame him so eloquently in their splash of color beauty.

On the topic of Photo Book, your thread is a living photo book, and what makes it so interesting to me is the progress over time. Very helpful. Very Inspiring.

I was in a Camera store "Henry's" no to long ago, asking them about my Camera and Lense requirements SPECIFIC for Fish Tank photography.
The sales guy pulled out an PHOTO BOOK that was specific to a Nikon Camera that showed examples.
He was pointing to how great the camera takes photo's of Bricks. Then another photo of a macro shot of a Thimble.
Interesting, nice detail, but off topic.
A few of your beautiful SPS Photos would have been better sales material to me. Probably would have bought the camera.

Thanks for the Technical Photo tips:
I never tried the Shutter Priority mode. Will try.
I certainly have to make myself a viewing box.
The Lense against the Glass is a interesting idea, and will try, however I get feeling my focal length may not cut it in my small 65Gallon SPS tank.

I agree on you lighting type settings (play with them all), (works many times).
However one lighting setting you should try if you haven't is Custom White Balance. You take a photo of something Pure White in your tank with whatever lighting you want (It will look blue for example). Then you set White Balance to Custom and select that photo. The camera will surprisingly adjust the White Balance perfectly to your tank, and you will get some very close matching colors on your Corals in the blue light). Not perfect for every shot, but try a full shot of your tank.

Thanks for everything. Looking forward to more photo's and progress updates in the future.
Wally
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Wally, thank you for your very nice comments! i appreciate it very much! Like I've said, I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction out of my photography.
There is something similar in reef keeping and photography in that aesthetically, they allow one to express a vision in one's head, out in real life. Getting a scape just right or coral placement, or composing a photo in a certain way and being able to give enjoyment to others who appreciate the work or thought you've put into it..
So, thanks! :)
I have not tried the wb option simply because .. well.. I don't know why..
On a smaller tank, yes, you may be too close when putting your lens right up against the glass.. even with my macro, I am too close with the corals right near the front glass..
Ok.. I realized recently that I have continually forgotten one extremely important aspect for taking top downs. And that is 'live view'
The 70d allows you to view the subject in real time through the LCD screen on the back of the camera. And on the 70d, the LCD screen articulates so that I can have the camera pointing down at the corals but have the screen aimed at me when standing on a ladder, in front of the tank.
The screen allows me to frame the shot and shows me where I'm focused and what my settings are. I can change all of these things before taking each shot.
Here's the camera with the screen oriented how it usually is when I'm shooting.

This helps immensely!!
 
reefmutt said:
Thanks Dom! :)
Those are evansi anthias:)
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Duh, they are too :headwally: they're just as gorgeous haha I'm thinking about adding a few anthias of some description myself lol it depends on whether I'll ever be able to get a harem of m vivienae :inlove: lol
 
Matt,

I can't thank you enough for your photo tips.

Haven't made proper viewer yet, but searched the house for something to use.
Found a Empty Clear Plastic Box of Ferrero Rochet Chocolates. Bit blurry, scratched but enough to play with.

I took 2 photo's, went back to computer to see them and was shocked with the improvement.

Using viewer to shoot Photos changes everything.

I also only turned on One ATI Coral Plus T5 which doesn't overexpose the camera like the MH lights do.

I don't have stunning corals to take Photo's of like you do, but I look forward to taking detailed photo's of everything I have. To track health, progress, etc.

I Barely touched the tip of iceberg on all your tips, and I still have to practice more, but first try was a big improvement from my Past Photo efforts.

This was with SLR, NO Tripod ( shaky hands), standard lense, first picked lighting setting, Some Circulation still on, and Box of Chocolates.

36261350654_d87deef20d_b.jpg


Many thanks.
Wally
 
Wrangy said:
Duh, they are too :headwally: they're just as gorgeous haha I'm thinking about adding a few anthias of some description myself lol it depends on whether I'll ever be able to get a harem of m vivienae :inlove: lol
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So it! I absolutely love a group of anthias.. just have to have a system that can handle the frequent feedings.
Wally.B said:
Matt,

I can't thank you enough for your photo tips.

Haven't made proper viewer yet, but searched the house for something to use.
Found a Empty Clear Plastic Box of Ferrero Rochet Chocolates. Bit blurry, scratched but enough to play with.

I took 2 photo's, went back to computer to see them and was shocked with the improvement.

Using viewer to shoot Photos changes everything.

I also only turned on One ATI Coral Plus T5 which doesn't overexpose the camera like the MH lights do.

I don't have stunning corals to take Photo's of like you do, but I look forward to taking detailed photo's of everything I have. To track health, progress, etc.

I Barely touched the tip of iceberg on all your tips, and I still have to practice more, but first try was a big improvement from my Past Photo efforts.

This was with SLR, NO Tripod ( shaky hands), standard lense, first picked lighting setting, Some Circulation still on, and Box of Chocolates.

36261350654_d87deef20d_b.jpg


Many thanks.
Wally
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Hey Wally, anytime! :)
Not bad at all!!
I like your forest fire digi better though!
A very nice shot!!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25208174#post25208174
 
:) thanks, Wally!

So I have another update in the cheato.
This week, despite a HUGE harvest and two additions of cano3, N has gone to undetectable on my Red Sea test kit.
P is still sitting at .1
I will double my cano3 additions and see how the week goes.

Now.. since we have a new page and I got the chance to get over the tank... shots!
Last week I replaced the harder to find de 150w radiums with 20k ushio. Although they appear the same to my eyes, they must have a bit more red in them because my photos are coming out richer and slightly more warm. I like the look of the bulbs- still blue enough for pop and seems to bring out the colour a bit more.
I used my wide zoom today 15-85 mm (not my fish eye... but I should pull that baby out soon as well... next time..)
This lens doesn't focus as close and isn't quite as crisp but hey.. does a nice job. Here are some wider shots.
Habanero, the wave and 24k:

Little closer on the wave.

Ice fire growing slowly:

Reds!

Low down in front:

Another down in front

Few more to come..
 
Forgot to mention.. I finally got some fluconazole for the bryopsis..
I'll probably dose tomorrow..
Any advice on how to proceed?
I'll pull a bunch of the bryopsis before dosing..
 
Matt, Spectacular Photo's again.

These shots truly show not only the Health and Beautiful Colors of your corals, but also the Size of the Colonies like the Wave that I can only dream of growing one day.
Help me put things into Time perspective. I assume you started from a Frag. How long did it take you to achieve a Colony that size?

That Stellar Looking Ice Fire is truly an Inspiration Piece. Especially since I just mounted a tiny frag of one in my tank.

Hey, even your Starfish has a interesting Color/Pattern that blends in Beautifully.

BTW. I agree that the First Photo I did of my Green Slimer wasn't the best, but it was a improvement using the Viewer for Photo Taking Top down.


The Photo of the Forest Fire Frag did come out better as I practiced more of your Horizontal Photo techniques for Focus, and the Lighting Setting on Camera.

I'm still a humble frag reefer at this point, but if it grows to any size colony and keeps it colors it may become my favourite since I can't stop looking at it.

36971851281_9c5155fb0c_c.jpg


Looking forward to the more Photo's you promise.
 
reefmutt said:
So it! I absolutely love a group of anthias.. just have to have a system that can handle the frequent feedings.
Click to expand...
I just need to decide on what to get lol p. tuka are pretty much number one in my mind but they definitely have to be a pink/purple base colour though to mix well with the colours I currently have haha
 
Having taken so many of my own coral pictures over the years as well as trying to get maximal color potential from sps, your photos and coral are just so outstanding. They demonstrate the success of your ability to maximize the color potential of sps as well as great photography skills. It's hard to render realistic colors while photographing one's tank but you have succeeded so well. You have some of the best coral coloration that I've ever seen. Keep sharing, it is such a joy to behold. Plus you continue to demonstrate the potential of a reef tank. It's pictures like yours, that inspires us to see what any of us can accomplish in our tank. Thank you.
 
Congrats for the ROTM Matt!!!
Well deserved indeed!


PS.: The top downs are incredible.....I need to get a porthole to myself......

Alex
 
mhucasey said:
Those multicolor coral pics are absolutely amazing!!!
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Thanks, Matt.. I got a few more :)
FloformAustria said:
wow just wow

as always your corals look insanely amazing!!

thanks for sharing!

Cheers
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Hey Flo, thank you!
berlin-riff said:
Your sps collection is outstanding... I think I need to visit Canada :)
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Thanks, Dennis. Let me know when you are in your way! :)
Wrangy said:
I just need to decide on what to get lol p. tuka are pretty much number one in my mind but they definitely have to be a pink/purple base colour though to mix well with the colours I currently have haha
Click to expand...
Hey Dom, if tuka are what you want, you should talk to JBNY. I've never seen anybody have more success with tuka...
watchguy123 said:
Having taken so many of my own coral pictures over the years as well as trying to get maximal color potential from sps, your photos and coral are just so outstanding. They demonstrate the success of your ability to maximize the color potential of sps as well as great photography skills. It's hard to render realistic colors while photographing one's tank but you have succeeded so well. You have some of the best coral coloration that I've ever seen. Keep sharing, it is such a joy to behold. Plus you continue to demonstrate the potential of a reef tank. It's pictures like yours, that inspires us to see what any of us can accomplish in our tank. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Wow, Mark, thank you so much! Coming from a master in the art, like you, I am heartened by your comment! It means a lot.
And I have a few more.. obviously.. :)
Alex Costa said:
Congrats for the ROTM Matt!!!
Well deserved indeed!


PS.: The top downs are incredible.....I need to get a porthole to myself......

Alex
Click to expand...

Hey Alex, thanks! Yes, you absolutely do need a porthole. Get one.. hurry! :)
 
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