ot camera questions

[mickela]

Ok since I have had all this free time I have desided to learn how to use my camera.I see all these great pictures of tanks on here and my pictures are nowhere near that nice.I have a kodak easyshare 8.1 (no lenses can be added)so I desided to play with the white balance to see what would happen and these are a few I got the first ones will be with the tungsten setting

thesse next ones are taken in florcent

not sure what I should try next other than a trypod if anyone has any ideas I would be very greatful for the help.Still not getting the true color exact

 

[nwrogers]

Does your camera have a manual white balance feature. You can try that with a piece of white PVC in the tank. That will get the white balance closer. Also try to adjust the exposure compensation so the photos don't come out so bright. They will look less overexposed and have brighter colors. Tripods are nice but another way to get good photos is to hold the lens right up against the glass to help stabilize the camera while taking the photo. Also if you have a macro mode on the camera try that out. Look for a symbol that looks like a flower, that is usually it. It may have take less blurry photos. I am still learning myself so this advice is from one noob to another. Have fun and good luck!

 

[nwrogers]

BTW those photos did come out pretty nice. Especially the mushroom leather. That one is good. Next time you photograph the clam make sure to not take the photo at a downward angle. The camera can't focus if you shooting at an angle through the glass that is why I recommend holding the camera right up against the glass. It will help get your photos in focus.

 

[Dave VG]

I will quote myself here from a post Nate started a week ago. Good link included.

White balance is a very important perimeter in the digital camera world especially in bright light situations. I take a white card (the back of a test kit card works) put it up against my tank to set the white balance manually. This helps correct the colors. This should be explained in your manual. Check this link out. Hope it helps


http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tu...ite-balance.htm

 

[mickela]

under white balance it lists auto,daylight,tungsten,florescent,and open shade but you cant adjust or is that the iso?The camera was held up to the glass in these pictures.

By the way Nate that leather should look familiar you chopped him up at the last swap lol!!!!!!!

 

[Dave VG]

There is no manual white balance the menu?? What is the brand and model??

 

[mickela]

it's a kodak c813 and under the white balance it has auto,daylight,tungsten,florescent,and open shade but you cant adjust or is that the iso?

 

[nwrogers]

that model doesn't have manual white balance so you will just have to set it to auto and edit the photo after taking it in gimp or photoshop or something. Check this out...

http://www.gimp.org/windows/

 

[Dave VG]

I use Microsoft Digital Image 2006. It’s very easy to use. Never used gimp, but sense Nate gave it a thumbs up I may just have to try it.

 

[nwrogers]

I personally use photoshop but I have gimp at work. It seems like a decent program and it is free. Photoshop rules though.

 

[nwrogers]

Without the coral in front of me it is hard to color correct a photo but here is an attempt to color correct one of the photos you took mickela. You should be able to do the same things or better in gimp. Not sure if post processing photos interests you but it never hurts to have the tools IMO...

 

[mickela]

I tried to download gimp last night but I dont think I got the whole thing as I cant figure out how to get pictures to it.I'll look more later when I have more time.gotta cook turkey etc today>By the way that picture looks real good Nate

 

[nwrogers]

Thanks mickela. Try this link...

http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html

Download the "GIMP for Windows (version 2.6.3) 15400 kB"

After installing the program go to file then open and choose your jpeg file. From the menu at the top choose Tools then color tools. Then adjust the photo using the Brightness Contrast option, the Color Balance option, and the Hue Saturation option. They are all under Tools > Color Tools. That is all you will need to fix your photo. It will take some practice but you will get it. You can also use gimp to crop your photos and save them for the internet. It is worth the time IMO.