Need help shooting reef pics with a D90

[kmu]

Well guys I really need some help, tried taking pictures with almost every setting and I dont like a single pic Ive taken so far with the 18-55mm lens.

Any tips on what settings I should use for full daylight pics?

How about some tips on taking actinic pics?

Im not using a tripod and every picture looks blurred, could this be the cause?

THX in advance

 

[Reef Bass]

Well, blurry pics certainly could be a reason why you might be dissatisfied.

If you are setting the shutterspeed manually you may be using too slow a shutterspeed for hand holding.

Might I suggest setting the camera to full auto and then taking some bright outside shots and posting them here? That amount of light should cause the camera to use a fast shutterspeed and thus eliminate a slow shutterspeed as a possible source of blur.

Do you have focus set to auto? Improper focus would be another reason for blurry pics.

 

[wfournier]

Use a tripod and turn off the pumps if that is an option. If not, turn up the ISO to 800 or 1600 and shoot in aperture priority mode with the lens at 5.6. That should get you to a acceptable shutter speed (although still a little low, you'll need to be stead).

Also shoot strait through the glass, avoid shooting at an angle as that will cause additional distortion.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

"Any tips on what settings I should use for full daylight pics?"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_16

Sunny 16 is a little cliche and I don't often use it in real practice. I should give you basic idea of what to use in full daylight though.
Oh and get a tripod.