My first attempt. White balance is way off. *pic*

[xenon]

The cement plug should be grey but its actually showing up as purple.

What do you guys use to set a custom white balance?

I am running EcoTech Radions @ 20k with 0% green.

 

[arnaldolex1]

thats great am trying to figure out how go snap pics while my actinics or moon lights are on can u explain how u was able to snap that under 20k

 

[Misled]

Most of "US" shoot in RAW and adjust white balance in post. I don't know what type of camera you're using, but that's the way I'd go.

 

[xenon]

Most of "US" shoot in RAW and adjust white balance in post. I don't know what type of camera you're using, but that's the way I'd go.

I will give that a try next.

Currently using a Canon XSi with Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens.

What programs do you use? I have Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop Elements 10.

 

[Hookup]

I use Lightroom. But cs6 is an option... I just don't know the controls as well.

 

[Misled]

You can use Elements also. When you take a pic in RAW, it will bring a raw editing window before the regular editing window.

 

[xenon]

I use Lightroom. But cs6 is an option... I just don't know the controls as well.

I will try the programs I have then give Lightroom a try.

Any tips you guys have to share would be great.

The settings on these programs are endless and I don't want to make my pics look unrealistic. My goal is to show EXACTLY how the coral looks with the naked eye.

 

[Reef Bass]

I've used Elements, Photoshop and Lightroom. Lightroom is designed for photography and has the best workflow, in my opinion.

I share your goal of accurate color reproduction and agree RAW mode is the way to go. The key is to set the color temperature / white balance appropriately during post processing. Generally that is as easy as moving a slider until things look like you see in your tank. Way less fuss and hassle than custom white balances.

Ideally, your monitor should be calibrated, so it is representing colors as well as it can, which will help you to make your adjustments. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing or ensuring that the viewer of your images is using a properly calibrated display. While that pretty much blows, you can at least be confident that your images are produced with appropriate levels of color and brightness.

 

[xenon]

I've used Elements, Photoshop and Lightroom. Lightroom is designed for photography and has the best workflow, in my opinion.

I share your goal of accurate color reproduction and agree RAW mode is the way to go. The key is to set the color temperature / white balance appropriately during post processing. Generally that is as easy as moving a slider until things look like you see in your tank. Way less fuss and hassle than custom white balances.

Ideally, your monitor should be calibrated, so it is representing colors as well as it can, which will help you to make your adjustments. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing or ensuring that the viewer of your images is using a properly calibrated display. While that pretty much blows, you can at least be confident that your images are produced with appropriate levels of color and brightness.

I run a Mac mini with Thunderbolt display. I never took into consideration that I would need to calibrate my monitor. Very interesting.

THANKS!

 

[xenon]

I took a RAW shot today of the same coral but with a backdrop of sand instead to give the bg some texture.

All I did was correct the white balance, add a bit of hue and 25% sharpen. I want to touch up as little as possible to get a more realistic look.

 

[jroovers]

Looks good here!

 

[xenon]

Take 2.

 

[djsmallz]

Those look good, I see those are top down pics, can I ask how deep is the tank, I was looking at a XTI earlier today

 

[xenon]

Those look good, I see those are top down pics, can I ask how deep is the tank, I was looking at a XTI earlier today

I made myself a magnetic shelf out of acrylic so that I can take top down shots so its only a few inches from the water surface.

The XTi is about as entry level of a DSLR as it gets.

My cam is a slight upgrade (XSi) but I will be upgrading my camera body soon.

 

[djsmallz]

Thanks for the info

 

[Hookup]

IMO the body is good... look back 10 years ago and it's beyond what most "semi-pros" were using.... and 10 years ago we had OMG photos... ergo, the body is capable...

I like the larger megapixles because you can crop down to 4 or 6mega pixel equivalent images to makeup for composition, physical positioning issues, etc.. I still shoot a 20D btw. not that i've ever had OMG wow photos.