Shutter speed, f-stop etc.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

I see all these amazing pics, and I can't help wondering "why can't I do that?". Now, I've been tinkering around with a friend's 8MP point and click, but still have no luck. I am going to invest in a better camera, but for now, I figure I must be able to get better pics then I am now. So, what shutter speed, F stop etc does everyone find to be the most succesfull? Obviously there is no definitive answer, but I just want to hear some good opinions, in the hope to improve my own pics.

Thanks

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

It is different with every single picture. That's the whole point. It's not that there isn't a specific answer...there isn't any answer at all. The closest thing to an answer I could think of for your questions is to shoot a minimum of 1/125 of a second to reduce camera shake...preferably faster. Don't forget ISO either, exposure is a triangle after all. A smaller aperture (*F/11* vs. F/4) will include more of the picture in "sharp focus" at the expense of ISO and/or shutter speed. Most of the closeup pictures of corals will be very large apertures with a macro lens, including only a very small area in focus. Pictures of tangs would probably use small apertures to freeze the action with very fast shutter speeds. To get crafty, you can follow the tang with the lens precisely with a slower shutter speed to really depict the fast movement. You have to experiment yourself, and above all - read read read!

Nifty sites that may help you out:

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/glossary/

 

[Rosseau]

Someone once proposed that we try to post the camera setting specs whenever a picture is posted.

If you're willing to part with the info, this is definitely going to help everyone out.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Why not just look at the exif data? Everything is right there...even the serial numbers of the camera!

 

[Rosseau]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11308087#post11308087 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Why not just look at the exif data? Everything is right there...even the serial numbers of the camera!

I do sometimes when it's available. I know some image hosting services wipe out the data in their conversions.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Oh doh, I didn't even think about that.

 

[J. Montgomery]

I like the book "Understanding Exposure" it explains things in an easy to understand language.

 

[Phyl]

You can't take someone's XIF and reproduce it to get a good shot in your system. You have different gear, different lighting, different water, different bulbs, ...

Understanding the triangle (FStop or Aperture, shutter speed and ISO) is one key to getting good shots (once you've white balanced your cam to your aquarium).

 

[Phyl]

.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Or just shoot raw and white balance later.

 

[KurtsReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11316997#post11316997 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J. Montgomery
I like the book "Understanding Exposure" it explains things in an easy to understand language.

Great suggestion, its a very good book for beginners.