Lighting

[dunc]

The biggest problem I have when photographing fishes, by far, is the lack of lighting in the tank.

Reckon something like this would help? Put it above the tank, facing down in to it? Or, would the extra light just make the fish duck and run for cover?

[Matt]

I think most of the professional fish photographers use an extra light above the tank, plus flash…

[dunc]

Direct flash in front of the tank is just a no-no in my book, totally ruins the colours of the fish. JJ has used a flash on some of his photos and you can quite clearly tell which ones – the ones which have saturated, duller colours and a harsh, shadowy outline.

Light on top of the tank may well be the answer, however. The other option is to use a remote flash cable – place the flash on top of the tank and take the picture from the front as normal. Not sure how easy that would be though, exposure may be out unless the fish is directly under the middle of the flash beam.

[dunc]

Just FYI..

Example with flash:

Example without:

[Matt]

QUOTE(dunc @ Apr 23 2007, 03:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Light on top of the tank may well be the answer, however. The other option is to use a remote flash cable – place the flash on top of the tank and take the picture from the front as normal. Not sure how easy that would be though, exposure may be out unless the fish is directly under the middle of the flash beam.

Sorry I didn’t explain myself very well. Yes I meant an extra light above the tank, plus a remote flash also situated above the tank

#304042

[dunc]

Wow that’d be a lot of light. A remote flash is an option but the wires are a pain and the wireless ones are extortionate.

[Author]

Posts