My macros, but not my corals

[Reef Bass]

I've not been feeling shooting my corals recently due to challenges they've been overcoming.

So inorder to get my macro shooting fix I had to go to my buddy's tank. He's been doing an excellent job with his corals and it shows.

Fire Polyp Undata

Setosa

I love this one of his pink lemonade:

Blue milli

Another Fire Polyp

Another lemonade:

 

[408Reefer]

wow! what macro lens are you using?

 

[PR_Reefers]

^also want to know ...Excellent pics man!!

 

[tqpolo]

What are you settings for the Setosa pic?

 

[IPT]

WOW Ken, nice job. I really like #2 the most. I think because it has the least amount of stuff OOF from the DOF. You nailed it on all of them though, capturing great detail.

 

[Reef Bass]

Thank you gentlemen.

I use a Canon EOS 50D with a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens.

The setosa was shot for 1/2" at f14 iso 100.

Yeah Louis I go back and forth on the dof / aperature thing. Coral people generally seem to want the whole pic in perfect focus stacked sharpness everywhere, trying to critically evaluate the subject instead of the image.

Another approach would be to allow the background to diffuse into creamy bokeh goodness which can add some visual emphasis to the part of the subject that is in focus.

It seems to me sometimes to boil down to basic intent - "show me the coral" v. "get your photo / art groove on".

I have to give my buddy Grant props for his coral care. It's easy for me to get interesting shots when his corals look this good.