Light Glare - Top Down

[shivvy]

How do you guys get around the light glare while taking top down pictures?

I took one with my cell phone last night, but getting ready to use a nicer camera this weekend and want to be prepared.

 

[Recty]

You can use a polarizing filter, for one. Otherwise, in my very limited experience with trying top down shots, I just point slightly sideways when I take the shot so the reflection doesnt come straight back up at the lens.

 

[shivvy]

gotcha, I was thinking maybe a float box would help. I feel like I see a lot of great top down shots, but no one ever comlaining about the glare.

 

[rydr119]

Try making sure you have enough light above you and the tank and take the pics with out a flash. I did this with my old 65, I had my halide attached to the top of the canopy and when I would open and prop the canopy I could get between the tank and the light and try not to burn myself and take the pic. Just be aware that the lights above your tank may cause a reflection as well. Other then that I'm not to sure. A photo box I would think would help but I have never used one personally.

 

[Tremont]

I really like using LED's for this sort of thing. You can typically buy battery powered LED video light arrays for relatively cheap (< $50) that you can mount on a tripod and then adjust to give just the right lighting. That way, you can also blast your corals with lights from another angle, avoid reflections and really show off the shadows, you can also do fine adjustments to the lighting angle and intensity that, imo, make using a flash unit unwieldy. I have found that I can get much better results if I can tweak a constant light source instead of taking lot's of test shots with a flash unit or taking pictures with my halides which flicker constantly.

-Tre

 

[Heart & Sole]

^^^got any shots that you could share using this technique?

 

[Tremont]

Almost every picture I've ever posted to these boards I use LED's over flash/halides. I also frequently use a large number of blue LED's at different distances/angle:

LED "spotlight" with an LED array further away for some ambient light:

-Tre

 

[king4345]

I would try more light as stated and maybe a remote flash if you need one. I generaly setup for top downs with enough lighting that there is no no need for a flash.

 

[glparr]

To shoot top-down photos, move the corals to the side of the tank, preferably in a corner. This will eliminate the light glare factor. If you can't move the coral, try tipping the light fixture away from the tank. Yes, you'll be, in effect, shooting in shadows, but it shouldn't matter if you are using a tripod and have the flow turned off. The coral isn't going anywhere.

Use a tripod and extend the column to allow you to "hang" the camera over the surface so the lens face is parallel with the water. An ideal tool is a horizontal arm that can be extended over the water. Use a remote release or the camera's timer so you don't move the camera when tripping the shutter. Make sure the water surface is calm and there is no debris on the surface.

Here are some examples:

 

[J. Montgomery]

I have an acrylic camera box that I use.