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I've been experimenting with the best mix of accurate color representation and getting that "glow" off the fish that really requires a flash.
Half my pictures end up a little overexposed but really showing the colors that no one notices but me (the yellow in the dorsal, the blue in the ventrals), like this:


Half are a little dark - the color of the fish is really accurate but it doesn't jump out as a "gorgeous fish" in the same way:


Then I tried another way of shooting (no, I'm not going to tell you, it might bias the results! ), and got a shot like this (different fish):

(EDIT: Just so it's clear, this fish actually is that light - it's accurate, color-wise)
Which I rather like, buuuut, I'm not getting very good shots of the other fish (first two pictures) who lives on the other side of the tank (territory issues). For example, this is the best of about 30 shots in terms of color and "pop" (obviously not the best in terms of everything else, though, be warned! ):


Should I abandon this method for that fish? Is one of the first two "types" a better shot? Or should I assume this new method is superior since I'm getting (what I think are) great shots of the other male, and just keep trying on this side of the tank to get the same effect?

Thanks, photo-people![/font][/font][/font][/font]

[span class="edited"][Edited by LittleMousling 2004-09-03 19:03][/span]

-Molly
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It seems one is too dark and the other method is too light. Check out these amazing pics:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photocontest/

How people got the lighting to be "perfect" that really show the color, I have no idea!


UPDATE:

This site has some great tips (http://home.comcast.net/~jimkphoto/fishphotos/aquaphoto.htm) and it appears a lot of work is needed to produced those amazing shots.

[span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-09-03 19:23][/span]

So you think picture 3 is too light?

How about this one?

(Same method as shot #3, just a slightly different angle of the fish, which made him a tad darker)

I do enjoy those archives but those people are much better photographers than I, with better (and non-digital, generally) cameras - it's easier for me to figure it out as I go, their rules generally don't apply! [/font]

-Molly
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That one is the best of the bunch, IMO. What digicam do you have?

Check out my pics here http://photobucket.com/albums/v347/djsly/]http://photobucket.com/albums/v347/djsly/[/link] with my father's 8 megapixels ([link=http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_pro1.asp). They're about a month and half outdated. I should take some new pics since you're entised me. I didn't use flash in any of those pics but will try some in the next batch.


[span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-09-03 21:03][/span]

Kodak DX4330. I love it, it probably deserves a better photographer than me.

-Molly
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LittleMousling

Unless I am mistaken over 90% of cameras have the flash above the lens. It is a flash not a soft light like the Nikon have for some of there digitals. Posibly the only way to vary the lighting is to try to get the fish to the front of the tank and move your tank lighting to get the best effect.

Pic 3 has the shells in a good natural colour. To me I suspect you are getting a lot of glare from inside the tank.

Sneaky but I would rather shoot it a little bit darker and adjust the photo with a good photographic program.

I will just try with one of the photos to see what happens using Adobe Elements

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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LittleMousling

Just a few minor adjustment can you see the difference?

Also try to shoot in the highest resolution as possible. This gives you a larger photo and usually a clearer one as well.


If you are not happy I will remove it for you

Keith
keithgh attached this image:
[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/attachments/426560.jpg"]

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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White balance is important in getting the right colors. You'll also maybe want to try using tissue to reduce the glare. And yes, minor changes can be done in photoshop.

^_^

White balance?

Yes, Keith, that does look like the real color - but it seems to emphasize the fact that the focus wasn't perfect in the original!

-Molly
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LittleMousling
As a suggestion set the camera in a fixed position and take several non moving subjects with the macro setting. If then they are still out of focus get you camera checked.

Please dont take this the wrong way way but do you know how to fully use your camera]

Here is an excellent WWW site for camera users locate your camera and there should be a forum there. Being a camera site there is bound to some one who could assist you with your camera settings.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Keith


Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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Nice shellies